Update on Sinatra Soccer Field from Mayor Dawn Zimmer
TweetHoboken, NJ - Thursday, October 29th, 2009
After further analysis of Sinatra Field, Hoboken’s structural engineer determined that the field is presently not safe for public use.�The field will remain closed for the fall season, and will not be usable until final repairs have been completed.�
The safety of our community must always come first, and unfortunately, engineers have located additional structural damage after the first assessment.�This is extremely disappointing for our active community.��
As I have stated, this unfortunate situation has resulted from possible construction and design flaws, as well as the neglect of previous Administrations to address an erosion problem due to wood-boring shipworms.�
Fortunately, our community has come together to develop interim measures. I want to thank Schools Superintendent Peter Carter, his Administrators, and the School Board for continuing to provide us with access to the high school field.�We also thank Weehawken Mayor Richard Turner for offering us use of the Weehawken Township field, as well as Stevens Institute of Technology for providing access to their athletic facilities.�
We have spoken to County, State and Federal representatives to explore funding commitments to remedy this situation, which is estimated to cost millions of dollars. I am committed to securing as much funding as possible and exploring all public and private venues so repairs can be completed as soon as possible.
I do feel for the families and active residents affected by this closure, but we must deal with the situation we have been presented with in a responsible, cost-effective way that will provide a long-term solution to this problem. We are doing everything possible to move this project forward and get our community back on the soccer field and waterfront walkway.
In the interim, I would like to reassure the public that the creation and preservation of open space will continue to be a priority of my Administration, even as we work to resolve the Sinatra Park issue.
I want to thank the City Council for moving forward on the 1600 Park/Hoboken Cove project and �the southwest park at the last meeting.� My administration has also reached out to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection to ensure remediation of a brown field site in the northwest section of our City.�����������������������������������
Additionally, as your City Council member, I have been instrumental in obtaining a grant from the New Jersey Traffic & Planning Authority to study traffic patterns on Paterson Plank Road to alleviate rush hour congestion in the southwest district.
In the northwest section, the City is meeting with representatives of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection to development an environmental remediation plan to clean former industrial properties for use as recreational purposes. This Administration is seeking funding sources for the acquisition and remediation of sites.
I promise you that I will leave no stone unturned in the ongoing effort to identify and secure funding opportunities to preserve and acquire open space in our community. I will continue to keep you updated with developments related to Sinatra Park, as well as open space initiatives.
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