More than 50 residents gathered on Thursday, Dec. 13, to hear the latest update in the ongoing Rebuild By Design Project, a federally-funded effort that aims to mitigate the kind of storm surge flooding that paralyzed Hoboken after Superstorm Sandy in 2012.
The project, funded with $230 million from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, calls for construction of flood-resistant structures and storm-water control systems to protect areas vulnerable to flooding along Weehawken Cove to the north, and in and around NJ Transit’s Hoboken rail yard to the south.
The structures include flood walls and soft landscaping such as berms and levees.
The new alternative
The information session focused on the new alignment for the southern portion of the floodgates and walls that will be built to keep the city dry.
Originally the project team composed of local and state officials and experts led by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection created two options for the southern flood barrier.
But the first option was deemed too costly, and residents and city officials opposed the second for a variety of reasons, including its appearance, and the likelihood that it would isolate an approved redevelopment from the rest of Hoboken, nullifying nine years that went into developing the Hoboken Yards Redevelopment Plan.
After receiving feedback from the community, including letters from the City Council and Mayor Ravi Bhalla and after holding discussions with NJ Transit, owner of the rail yard, the team devised a new alternative dubbed the “Middle Ground” which was announced in a press release in October.
Finding middle ground
As discussed at the Dec. 13 meeting, the middle ground approach proposes a barrier that would begin on the east side of Washington Street, from near Newark Street, running south to Observer Highway.
A six foot gate would close across Observer Highway during a storm surge. The barrier would continue behind the NJ Transit pump house, then on NJ Transit property running west until the engine house, identifiable by its mural depicting the word “Relationships” with a peace sign and mushroom cloud.
At this point, the barrier would continue west along the southern portion of the Observer Highway bike lane in front of the engine house before once again turning onto to NJ Transit property.
It will terminate on Marin Boulevard at the embankment supporting the overpass for the railroad tracks. At its tallest, along Observer Highway, it will be about 11 feet in height.
“This design selection is a win for Hoboken, now and in the future,” said NJ Gov. Phil Murphy in a press release. “It provides a reasonable, cost-effective system that will protect the city’s residents from flooding from the next major storm.”
Eric Olsen of AECOM, an engineering firm working on the project, said there are several options for what the barrier could look like.
This includes signage and murals especially in front of the engine house which could highlight Hoboken’s industrial past or a transportation motif.
“It provides a reasonable, cost-effective system that will protect the city’s residents from flooding from the next major storm.” — Gov. Phil Murphy
Next steps
Hoboken residents will continue to meet to discuss the possible future design elements of the Rebuild By Design project.
According to Karen Appel of AECOM, design workshops for the northern section will be scheduled in January or February as well as design workshops for the southern section.
In February or March, another meeting will update the public on more specific designs before the last public meeting and unveiling of the final project design in July.
Following the unveiling, construction is expected to begin in early 2020 with expected completion by 2022.
For more project information, visit: www.nj.gov/dep/floodresilience/rbd-hudsonriver.htm
Marilyn Baer can be reached at Marilynb@hudsonreporter.com or comment online at hudsonreporter.com
