A major project along the Hudson River that has languished for years is looking to finalize a deal that would build offices, residences, and new public spaces near Hoboken’s major transit hub.
The most recent version of the Hoboken Yard Redevelopment Plan passed in early 2020 and while the COVID-19 pandemic slowed down the preparation process, New York-based LCOR finally presented their plans to the community during a March 15 virtual meeting.
The project, being dubbed Hoboken Connect, focuses on Hoboken Terminal, Lackawanna Plaza, and three properties just north of NJ Transit’s rail tracks. The architectural team on the development includes Beyer Blinder Belle, Cetra Ruddy, FX Collaborative, and Matthews Nielsen Landscape Architects, with additional engineering work from Colliers Engineering, ICOR Associated, MG Engineering, Mueser Rutledge Consulting Engineers, Thorton Thomasetti, Holt Construction, and AECOM Tishman.
The first component of Hoboken Connect would consist of a 20-story office building on a site directly next to the street entrance to the PATH trains. The 635,000 square-foot building would include ground-floor retail space and replace an abandoned building and parking lot currently on the land.
The second building would be situated just west of the office structure and consist of 389 residential units. 20% of those residences, or 79 units, would be set aside as affordable housing and the building would include a mix of studio, one-, two-, and three-bedroom spaces.
Neither building would include any off-street parking, a choice LCOR says was made based on the development’s location near one of the state’s largest transit hubs. Hoboken Terminal provides PATH, train, bus, ferry, and light rail service to various points in the region.
Hoboken Connect also includes a long-envisioned renovation of Hoboken Terminal and the neighboring Warrington Plaza. That component would include amenities like an outdoor market space plus the restoration of the terminal’s second floor, which has been closed to the public for decades.
LCOR would be raising the level of the plaza to assist with flooding as part of the work and the neighboring cobblestone portion of Hudson Place is envisioned as a pedestrian plaza under the plan. The taxi stand would need to be moved to facilitate the plaza, but the existing bus terminal would remain and be integrated into the square. Several community meetings will be held to solicit feedback on that component.
The Hoboken Yard Redevelopment Plan allows additional development on a property currently home to an NJ Transit building at Observer Highway and Henderson Street. While LCOR says that is still part of their future plans, that property isn’t included in the current proposal.
“Hoboken Connect presents a bold vision to reactivate this vibrant area surrounding the revered Lackawanna terminal in a way that encapsulates the treasured history of the Mile Square City while mirroring the thriving businesses, culture, community, innovation and industry that define Hoboken in the present day,” said Brian Barry, Senior Vice President at LCOR. “We look forward to continuing to work in tandem with our project partners to bring this neighborhood asset to fruition and reclaim the waterfront to better serve the city and its residents for generations to come.”
LCOR says that if the project moves forward, the residential building would be constructed first. The restoration of the terminal building would run simultaneous to the private development and could potentially begin in 24 months.
Hoboken officials are currently reviewing LCOR’s proposal, and the company hopes to finalize a redevelopment agreement in the coming weeks. They are looking to obtain city council approval sometime in April, after which they will need to obtain planning board approvals for the project’s individual components.
LCOR says they hope to start construction on Hoboken Connect during the second quarter of 2023.
