How Pressure Mounted for Development in Hoboken
Source: The New York Times
By Patrick McGeehan and Charles V Bagli
Jan. 29, 2014
HOBOKEN, N.J. Last May 8, a severe rainstorm left the streets of this city flooded once again, causing the mayor, Dawn Zimmer, to recall the inundation from Hurricane Sandy.
So she dashed off a letter to Gov. Chris Christie, imploring him to help with Hobokens ongoing flooding emergency, and attached photos of cars in water up to their hoods. She was due to meet the next day with officials of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, when she hoped to talk about protecting Hoboken from the next catastrophic deluge to come.
But according to newly obtained emails sent among the participants, the first topic of discussion on the agenda was review of concepts for flood control measures at Rockefeller property, a reference to a billion-dollar office complex proposed at the north end of town. The developer, the Rockefeller Group, which had long been trying to gain approval from local officials, sent two executives, two lobbyists and an engineer to the meeting.
Mayor Zimmer, through a spokesman, said on Wednesday that she went to the meeting but refused to discuss the project, feeling it was premature to do so.
Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2014/01/30/nyregion/powerful-allies-pushed-a-project-in-new-jersey.html?hp&_r=0
The noose is tightening around Christie and his administration. I'm so glad that mayor Zimmer stood her ground. Before her tenure previous mayors were too cozy with developers, to the detriment of the existing citizens. Hoboken has gone from a working class town (as depicted "On the Waterfront" to an upscale neighborhood for wealthy young people (the majority of residents are in their 20s and 30s). The over-development has pushed out many old residents who could not afford the property taxes (the highest in the county), nor the astronomical rents.
The last thing the town needs is the Rockefeller Group's proposed 40 story building. The tallest building in town currently is 25 stories. We are only a square mile, for goodness sakes!!!
I didn't know Zimmer very well before this fracas came to light, but my respect for her has gone up substantially. Kudos to her for standing against the Rockefeller Group and Christie's goons.
jsr
(7,712 posts)Beacool
(30,247 posts)Drip, drip, drip........
jsr
(7,712 posts)DonViejo
(60,536 posts)HUNTER WALKER JANUARY 30, 2014, 11:19 AM EST
Emails obtained by the New York Times for a story published Thursday show officials in the administration of New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R) made a proposed real estate development the top agenda item at a meeting scheduled to discuss flood relief in Hoboken, N.J.
The May 2013 meeting included Hoboken Mayor Dawn Zimmer and officials from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.
Zimmer has alleged officials from the Christie administration later threatened to withhold Hurricane Sandy aid from her city unless she approved the development, which would be built on land owned by a firm linked to multiple Christie associates, the Rockefeller Group.
On May 8, the day before the meeting, severe rainstorms caused flooding in Hoboken and Zimmer sent a letter to Christie asking for further flood mitigation aid.
more
http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/hoboken-flood-relief-meeting
Beacool
(30,247 posts)Christie's hubris convinced him that he could do as he pleased. Now he's getting smacked down.
DonViejo
(60,536 posts)the 'pukes have been so busy declaring President Obama a "dictator, King, not a real citizen, yadda, yadda, yadda" they missed their homegrown dictator and King; Governor Christie
According to the Times, Rockefeller Group "sent two executives, two lobbyists and an engineer to the meeting" with Zimmer and NJDEP officials.
A spokesman for Zimmer told the Times the mayor declined to discuss the development project at the meeting.
The next day, according to the report, Zimmer was told that Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno (R) would be coming to Hoboken the following week for a visit. It was during that visit, Zimmer has alleged, that Guadagno threatened to withhold Hurricane Sandy aid.
Christie has dozens of ways to use the powers of his office to get rich and make his friends richer.
Beacool
(30,247 posts)Other than the governor himself, who is higher up the food chain than the Lt. governor?