The City of Hoboken is embarking on an exciting initiative to revitalize Court Street, a historic gem in our city. Announcing the preliminary concept designs for the Court Street Historic Rehabilitation Project, the City is keen to gather public feedback to ensure the project not only upgrades vital infrastructure but also meticulously preserves the unique historic character of Court Street Hoboken. To facilitate community engagement, an online survey has been launched at https://hobokennj.gov/courtstreetsurvey, and a virtual community meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, June 14, at 6:30 p.m.
Mayor Ravi S. Bhalla emphasized the importance of this project, stating, “This project will go a long way to ensure Court Street’s historic character is preserved, while providing important upgrades to a road that is in need of infrastructure repairs. I invite residents to provide their input into these two proposals, so we can finalize a concept design and move forward on Court Street’s rehabilitation in the months ahead.”
Echoing this sentiment, First Ward Councilman Mike DeFusco, a strong advocate for historic preservation, added, “Through collaborative community planning, we are creating an amazing path for Court Street. We’re blending the past and present, preserving Court Street’s rich history while enhancing the pedestrian experience. Together, we’re creating a vibrant future where Court Street embodies our shared vision and proudly celebrates its heritage.”
Exploring Two Design Concepts for Court Street Hoboken
Drawing upon community feedback from previous surveys, public meetings, and stakeholder discussions, the project consultant team has developed two distinct concept designs for the Court Street Hoboken rehabilitation. Both concepts are rooted in preserving the street’s historical essence. They propose re-using the existing historic stone “setts” that characterize Court Street and maintain two-way traffic flow. Crucially, both designs incorporate improved drainage solutions through the center of the roadway, addressing a critical infrastructure need.
Concept One: Continuous Concrete Landing
Concept One showcases a continuous 4-foot-wide concrete landing and apron on both sides of Court Street. This design aims to enhance ADA accessibility, ensuring ease of movement for all pedestrians. The symmetrical design of Concept One provides a uniform and aesthetically pleasing look along Court Street Hoboken.
Concept One for Court Street Hoboken Rehabilitation Project
Concept Two: Setts to Building Lines with Concrete Landings
Concept Two presents an alternative approach, focusing on resetting the historic setts right up to the building lines. To comply with the New Jersey Uniform Construction Code, this concept includes 3-foot-wide concrete landings and aprons specifically at existing garages and doorways, ensuring accessibility and safety. A key difference between the two concepts is the sett requirement. Concept Two may necessitate the City to source additional setts from another location, whereas Concept One is anticipated to utilize the existing setts.
Concept Two for Court Street Hoboken Rehabilitation Project
Your Input Matters: Participate in Shaping the Future of Court Street Hoboken
The City of Hoboken encourages all residents and stakeholders to actively participate in shaping the future of Court Street. To review the detailed concept designs and provide valuable feedback, please visit the online survey at https://hobokennj.gov/courtstreetsurvey. The survey will remain open until June 15 at 6 p.m.
For those interested in a more interactive discussion, register for the virtual community meeting scheduled for June 14, at 6:30 p.m. at http://hobokennj.gov/courtstreetmeeting.
A Nod to History: Court Street’s Enduring Legacy
Constructed in the late 1800s, Court Street in Hoboken stands as a testament to the city’s rich history. Remarkably, most of its seven blocks have retained their original character for over a century. However, time and wear necessitate the proposed improvements to ensure Court Street remains a functional and cherished part of Hoboken for generations to come.
For comprehensive information about the Court Street Historic Rehabilitation Project, please visit www.hobokennj.gov/courtstreetproject. Your participation in this process is crucial to ensuring the successful revitalization of Court Street Hoboken, balancing preservation with necessary upgrades for a vibrant future.
