UPDATE: Bhalla suspends eminent domain to remove cause for "emergency" NJTransit meeting

Big news! 

The mayor has extended NY Waterway's 14 day response time (to agree to sell the UDD property to Hoboken) by an additional 45 days- effectively putting eminent domain on ice, while parties try to work out "the way forward."    

But in a statement issued by Mayor Bhalla today, suspending eminent domain was a proposal made last week by Governor Murphy, and would remove NJ Transit's excuse to hold an "emergency meeting."

"This decision is in direct response to a proposal Governor Murphy made directly to me last week: suspend or withdraw eminent domain proceedings, and the board meeting will be cancelled so we can all get in a room this week and find a way forward.... By suspending eminent domain proceedings, I have met my end of the bargain and respectfully ask the Governor to do the same. The emergency meeting should be cancelled so we may find a way forward that considers all legitimate interests."

-Hoboken Mayor Bhalla 

April 2, 2018 

Well, how about them apples.  Governor Murphy, let's go! 

STATEMENT FROM MAYOR BHALLA SUSPENDING EMINENT DOMAIN PROCEEDINGS ON UNION DRY DOCK PROPERTY

"New Jersey Transit will potentially acquire the Union Dry Dock property on Hoboken’s waterfront at an “emergency” meeting of its Board of Directors this Wednesday, April 4 at 2 p.m. in Newark, New Jersey.

Since learning about New Jersey Transit’s intention to acquire this property in Hoboken late last week, I have been in regular communication with the Governor’s office and other stakeholders. The so-called “emergency” requiring a special meeting is an offer to purchase the Union Dry Dock property made by Hoboken for $11.63 million, which requested a response within 14 days. It was from this offer that New Jersey Transit manufactured a legal fiction and “emergency” rush to buy the property before the expiration of the 14-day period, based on the false claim that Hoboken would be able to lawfully exercise eminent domain immediately thereafter.

To put this fear to rest, I extended this 14-day period by 45 days this past Friday, so the parties can discuss a compromise that met the dual interests of New Jersey Transit to sustain ferry commuter operations for the region, and consider serious environmental, planning, and other concerns from local Hoboken residents about the location of the proposed refueling, repair, and maintenance station. This good faith offer to find a compromise was rejected by New Jersey Transit in its letter to me last Saturday night.

After thoughtful consideration this weekend, I have decided to formally suspend the City of Hoboken’s legal effort to exercise eminent domain over the Union Dry Dock property in Hoboken, currently owned by New York Waterway. I am taking this action so that there can be no question that an “emergency” no longer exists, and to allow the parties, including Hoboken, to work cooperatively towards a solution that balances all valid interests.

This decision is in direct response to a proposal Governor Murphy made directly to me last week: suspend or withdraw eminent domain proceedings, and the board meeting will be cancelled so we can all get in a room this week and find a way forward.

I wholeheartedly agree with Governor Murphy that we all want to end up in the same place in finding a workable solution for everyone. By suspending eminent domain proceedings, I have met my end of the bargain and respectfully ask the Governor to do the same. The emergency meeting should be cancelled so we may find a way forward that considers all legitimate interests."

Stay tuned, people.  

_______________ 

You may have heard this news by now: last Saturday evening, Hoboken got sandbagged by NJ Transit's announcement that they will vote to buy the UDD property from NY Waterway at their "special board meeting" this coming Wednesday (April 4.)

The news came by letter to Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla:

Th mayor replied by Nixle on Sunday, which read in part:

"It is disappointing that NJT deems it appropriate to send me a letter on a Saturday night before Easter about taking such an action while the district schools are closed for Spring Break and many families – mine included – are away for the holiday break. Last year, Governor Murphy called New Jersey Transit a “national disgrace”. Unfortunately, in terms of transparency, actions like these demonstrate that the agency has yet to make the changes it needs in how operates. It’s an insult to the public for NJT to be making such important decisions under the cover of darkness and with no meaningful opportunity for public input...

The elephant in the room that Director Corbett avoids is the fact that NJT’s acquisition of the UDD property will shield New York Waterway from the City of Hoboken’s ability to exercise eminent domain for the purpose of, in the long run, preserving this waterfront land as open space for the public benefit. In other words, this acquisition by NJT will deprive Hoboken and its residents from having its rightful seat at the table, and a legitimate local voice, in the larger regional planning process.

I will speak more on this specific topic (eminent domain) tomorrow morning, stay tuned. The City of Hoboken will also provide details on Monday for buses it will be providing free of charge to Hoboken residents who seek to attend NJT’s Board Meeting this coming Wednesday. I urge you all to attend the Board Meeting and make your voices heard. I hope to see you there.

Very Truly Yours,

Ravi S. Bhalla

Mayor, City of Hoboken

Pretty sneaky, right? 

NJ Transit notified the mayor on the eve of Easter Sunday with 3 days to rally public support and during Spring break when many families are out of town. Like the mayor's (he is returning this evening).  

Remember, NJ Transit  scheduled their first effort to purchase the UDD property from NY Waterway on Martin Luther King's birthday (January 15), a national holiday and the last day of the Christie administration.

Classy.   

So it's Monday morning, what now? 

City Hall sources told GA, "We are in discussions to come up with a solution that will at the least lead to the cancellation of Wednesday's meeting... We are working very hard to stop this."

And what's with Governor Murphy? Wasn't he supposed to have our back? 

"The governor says he wants the same outcome as we do, but he has to protect ferry operations."

That may be true, but sandbagging Hoboken the night before Easter Sunday feels more like a sniper attack than a good faith effort to work out a mutually agreeable solution.  

And why does Weehawken get to slip out of the noose for a Hoboken hanging party?  Why isn't pressure being exerted on Weehawken to continue the ferry operations there or find a solution?   

Fingers crossed that the City can put the kibosh on this Wednesday meeting. 

C'mon Governor Phil!