Members of the public are invited to provide written comments regarding the future of the NJ Transit Records Building, on the south side of Observer Highway between Hudson and Washington Streets, by March 31.
The records building, which was constructed in 1904 and is owned by NJ Transit, has fallen into disrepair and has been recently deemed unsafe by the NJ Department of Community Affairs.
The city was approached in August of 2019 regarding the potential demolition of the building. Mayor Ravi Bhalla and the Hoboken Historic Preservation Commission worked with NJ Transit, along with the Federal Transportation Authority and the State Historic Preservation Office (“SHPO”) in an effort to preserve the building, which has been deemed a historic property.
As required by SHPO, NJ Transit is conducting an analysis of alternatives to demolition.
Hoboken had secured a commitment from NJ Transit to host a public meeting on March 17, but it was cancelled due to the Coronavirus pandemic.
According to an announcement from the city, Bhalla has repeatedly requested NJ Transit and the FTA delay the March 31 deadline due to the pandemic in order to hold a public meeting at a later date, but the request was denied.
The city also requested an online meeting to provide an opportunity for a presentation and interactive engagement, but that was denied as well.
Comments or questions may be submitted to NJ Transit here: https://njtransitresilienceprogram.com/contact-us/ (Click on: “Project Feedback Related to:” and select “Hoboken Terminal”).
More information about the proposal is available on NJ Transit’s website at https://njtransitresilienceprogram.com/ongoing-resiliency-initiatives/hoboken-terminal/.
Learn more about the history of the Records Building, the Section 106 process, to review the draft Alternatives Analysis prepared by NJ Transit, and complete an online survey to provide feedback to the city on the Alternatives Analysis at https://www.hobokennj.gov/resources/lackawanna-records-building.
The public input process is a mandatory part of the Section 106 review process.
Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 requires projects by federal agencies or federally funded projects to consider the effects on historic properties, to engage with stakeholders, and to gather public comment on potential alternatives.
