On June 5, Hoboken will host a public workshop from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Wallace Elementary School, 1100 Willow Avenue, to present and gather input on two major projects: safety improvements along Willow Avenue from 11th to 16th Streets and a renovation of Tom Olivieri Park at 1225 Willow Avenue.
The meeting will start with presentations, followed by an open house where attendees can speak with city staff and project designers. The projects support Hoboken’s goals to eliminate traffic deaths and improve public spaces.
- Willow Avenue will undergo a safety-focused redesign after 31 injury-causing crashes between 2019 and 2021.
- Tom Olivieri Park will be renovated into an inclusive, accessible play space with $1.5 million in grant funding.
- The public can review and comment on both projects at a June 5 workshop at Wallace Elementary School.
Willow Avenue Redesign Targets High-Injury Corridor
The Willow Avenue Vision Zero Safety Improvements Project targets a corridor with frequent crashes. Between 2019 and 2021, the area saw 31 crashes causing injuries, including seven pedestrians and four bicyclists. Hoboken’s Vision Zero Action Plan lists Willow Avenue between 14th Street and the Weehawken border as a high-crash segment. From 2014 to 2018, this section was responsible for 40% of traffic injuries and deaths citywide. The 14th Street intersection recorded ten or more crashes during that period.
The city and Hudson County secured $1.39 million in federal and state grants through the Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside Program (TAP) to fund the redesign. The goal is to make the street safer for all users, including students at Wallace Elementary, seniors at Fox Hill Gardens, and commuters using NJ Transit bus stops and Citi Bike.
Planned improvements include protected bike lanes, curb extensions, ADA curb ramps, high-visibility crosswalks, pedestrian refuge islands, and leading pedestrian intervals at traffic signals. The redesign follows standards from the Hoboken Street Design Guide, NACTO, AASHTO, NJDOT, and the ADA Access Guide.
Hudson County is also evaluating a bike lane connection to the 14th Street Viaduct as part of the county’s broader transportation network. The project ties into Hoboken’s Green Circuit, a planned network of bike- and pedestrian-friendly routes across the city.
The timeline includes:
- June 5, 2025: Public design charrette
- June 25, 2025: Virtual public information session
- Fall 2025: Complete preliminary design
- Winter 2026: Begin final design
- 2027: Start construction
- 2028: Complete construction
Tom Olivieri Park to Become Inclusive, Sensory-Friendly Space
Tom Olivieri Park, a 5,000-square-foot park at 1225 Willow Avenue, will undergo a full renovation supported by $1.5 million in grant funding. The park currently includes trees, murals, and a playground, but the redesign will make it fully accessible and improve its facilities.
Planned upgrades include a new safety surface, spray park, prefabricated restroom, new lighting, landscaping, fencing, and modern park furniture. The redesign aims to create an inclusive and sensory-rich environment for children and families.
The two existing murals will remain. One is “Flight” by Rorschach, and the other honors Tom Olivieri, a local tenants’ rights advocate.
The city began collecting public input in January 2025 through an online survey. The preliminary design will be shown at the June 5 meeting. The final design will be released later this summer, following review of community feedback.
Projects Aligned with Vision Zero and Climate Goals
These efforts support Hoboken’s Vision Zero target of eliminating traffic fatalities by 2030 and its Climate Action Plan to become carbon neutral by 2050. With more than 75% of residents commuting without a car, walkable streets and accessible public spaces are essential.
The Willow Avenue redesign also supports future development near 15th and 16th Streets, where new housing and commercial projects are underway.
For details on Vision Zero, visit www.vzhoboken.com. For the Climate Action Plan, visit www.hobokennj.gov/resources/greenhouse-gas-emissions-inventory-and-climate-action-plan.
