The controversy began recently when Hoboken Mayor David Roberts had trouble pushing through an initiative to plug $7.9 million in revenue into that city's $72 million budget, which is already ten months late. Some City Council members have protested Roberts' original plan to sell the city's municipal garage and net $7.9 million (see story at left), so the city needs alternative ways to plug the gap. .
One alternative way is to up-zone the garage neighborhood to make it residential, and to sell the garage for much more money. But the new zoning would also include the nearby Neumann Leather building, a former leather factory that is now used by artists, musicians, and small businesses. That means the landlord could sell it for much more money. .
For several weeks now, the tenants of the 150-year old building have been worried that their art lofts and offices were in jeopardy of becoming collateral damage. .
If approved, the proposed up-zoning would allow new buildings in the zone to rise 14 stories tall, which would double or triple the property value. However, according to the proposed ordinance, "10 percent of the total dwelling units in any high-rise development" must be affordable. .
A hearing for this new zoning is set for Wed. April 6 at 7 p.m. at the Wallace Elementary School in Clinton Street in Hoboken, and could draw from many segments of the community. .
Besides the Sinatra family, noted painter (and Hoboken resident) Tim Daly wrote a letter to the Reporter about saving the building last week. .
The owner of the building has reportedly received offers in the past, but to this point, turned them all down. The best protection from the developers has been the archaic industrial zoning that has kept the property's value down. .
However, Hoboken Mayor David Roberts, who has a strong record of supporting local artists, pledged Tuesday that artists can be protected through the creation of redevelopment plan for the area. .
Redevelopment, by state law, is a zoning term that means there is an area within the municipality that is not being used to its full potential. .
Designating a redevelopment site can allow special zoning. It can also mean letting the designated developer(s) get tax abatements or make special in-lieu-of-tax payments to the city. .
Redevelopment puts a large amount of power in the purview of the city's governing body, which in Hoboken's case is the City Council. This means the City Council pools a large area of property together, even if the land is owned by multiple private owners, and then zone the property as they wish. .
A redevelopment proposal will be on the Hoboken City Council's agenda for a special budget meeting this Monday night. .
See the artwork The tenants of the Neumann Leather building, in order to show the community everything that goes on inside the labyrinth-like building, will be hosting an open house this Sunday. .
Today, Sunday April 3, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., the business owners and artists of Neumann Leather will offer tours that leave every 1/2 hour from the parking lot at 333 Newark St. .
From 5 to 6 p.m., there will be a reception at Think Tank Studio, 321 Newark St., on the ground floor. Skanatra and special guests will perform. .
The event is being sponsored by the Hoboken Arts & Industry Preservation Project (www.haipp.com). .
For more on this story, click on www.hobokenreporter.com. .
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