With the clock ticking as the City moves to acquire Block 10 by eminent domain, Academy is trying to win neighborhood buy-in for it's Southwest Redevelopment Proposal. Tonight, it is holding what may be the first of several informal meetings to get "neighborhood input" from neighbors, elected officials, board appointees and- me. Yes, GA has been curious about the proposal, so thanks to Academy for the invite.
I wonder: has the project scope changed at all to reflect the concerns of the Administration and neighborhood activists? Dunno! GA happens to be a fan of Nastasi's work, so whatever the next iteration of the proposal may be, I am interested to learn about it.
Below is the 'old' proposal... what does it look like now?
TONIGHT'S MEETING
As far as tonight's meeting goes, GA is not surprised to see that 4th Ward Councilman Ruben Ramos will be there- he absolutely should.
I am surprised to see that both HHA Chair David Mello and prominent NHSA Commissioner Tony Soares were invited to the same meeting. I'll never forget an expletive-laden 45-min phone call from Mello, from his car, ranting about Soares. Dude's got a temper. Oh, yeah. Hey, it's good to see that after expressing such um... lively and vivid thoughts, Mello can be in the same room with him. (GA likes Tony, even though the feeling's not mutual!)
Another person invited to Academy's presentation is ZBA Commissioner Antonio Grana. Grana lives across the street from the site, so it makes sense why he would want to hear the developer's presentation, even though it means that he will have to recuse himself when the Applicant goes before the zoning board.
[On edit] GA was contacted by BoE Trustee Ailene McGuirk - she lives on Block 13 in the 4th Ward! That's right across the street from the Academy redevelopment proposal.
Well, GA wants to see more good design in Hoboken; a lot what goes for "modernism" here looks like shit. I'm looking forward to seeing the latest iteration of Academy's proposal!
Councilman Ramos has already accepted sizeable campaign contributions fro Academy. If this is brought to a vote he should recuse himself. Ditto for First Ward Councilman DeFusco.
ReplyDeleteAgreed that Ramos and DeFusco are conflicted out of voting on both the Academy project and Block 10 eminent domain. If either vote, the outcome is subject to automatic appeal.
DeleteDeFuckup is conflicted from voting on any construction in town, given who his campaign contributors are, you know the ones with the deep pockets and no regard for ELEC law.
DeleteMore important than the possibility of pretty buildings is the increasing the stress on the already gridlocked traffic infrastructure at one of the few entrance/exit portals to Hoboken. That will effect everyone in Hoboken.
ReplyDeleteIt also should be noted that Jersey City will also be allowing development behind and around this development and as we have seen with the advocacy of Councilman DeFusco and Tony Soares a thirteen story 100 percent lot coverage residential building approved on what is now the parking lot of the Hoboken Business Center. Understandable that Academy wants to maximize it’s profits on their property but Hoboken officials must keep the greater good of the City and it’s residents.
It is bad enough that the Academy bought off city councilman will be there - but what about a real estate salesman? did they also invite any brickmasons? steal contractors? cement workers?? i wonder what imput they would have.....
ReplyDeleteA private meeting with a handpicked guest list is not exactly what most of us would call community engagement. This sounds more like an opportunity for Academy to distribute talking points to people it thinks might me open to acting as their shills.
ReplyDeleteMy wife and I live in the SW and have (to put it mildly) a long history of engagement on SW redevelopment issues. For some reason, we did not make the guest list.
I guess John and the folks at Academy aren't interested in our input. Or perhaps they fear having the rest of their invitees hear it?
Academy has no interest in honest input. They are just trying to ram through their plan as best they can. I personally hope it gets shot down.
DeleteGA, big baby Mello had a tantrum when he saw your name on the architect's email! Said he wasn't going because you were invited!!!!
ReplyDeleteIn Jersey politics, a year is an eternity. Mello is no longer relevant.
DeleteNo way!!! Hysterical! Okay, just for that, I’ll tell you my Dave Mello story.
DeleteSome years ago at the Wallace Spring Dance, Dave came over to the table where I was sitting to chat. He was very friendly but the whole time we talked his eyes were scanning the crowded room to see if there was anyone higher on the social food chain to talk to. So Dave says to me, “Let me buy you a beer!” I say, “Thank you.” Dave says, “What are you drinking?” I tell him. So he gets up and goes to the bar, and never comes back. Later, I see he’s at the bar holding a beer (my beer?) deeply engrossed in conversation with Joe Mindak, then of hMag. (Mindak was clearly an upgrade .) So for entertainment I kept strolling back and forth, right by Dave, who never left the bar as he drank my beer and chatted with Mindak. I think I did some Monty-Python funny walks. Dave never looked up. My friend and I were hysterical and it became a running joke whenever Mello’s name came up, how thirsty I was, where's my beer and what’s taking Dave Mello so long!