Hoboken Southwest Parks Coalition in conjunction with the City of Hoboken will seek County Open Space Funds to acquire land for the SW6 Park.
Last Friday, January 30th, Ann Holtzman and Sara Stojkovic of HSPC attended the two hour mandatory pre-submission meeting for the Hudson County Open Space Trust Fund. Twelve municipalities get to participate, but only those who attended the conference qualify to apply for funding. Councilwoman Beth Mason was the only elected official from Hoboken who also attended the conference.
I thought we already did this application?
Yes, that’s right. Last year HSPC solicited over 1100 signatures for the SW6 park petition and spent a few months preparing the application and presentation for the county funds. We were seeking $3 million at the time and although we weren’t awarded the grant, the County Open Space Advisory Board (Division of Planning) told us we had the best proposal and best presentation and strongly encouraged us to reapply in 2009.
Why didn’t we get the county money the first time?
The City of Hoboken did not complete the appraisals, therefore, despite our best efforts, the application was deemed incomplete.
What is different this time around for 2009?
Recently, a new and improved resolution for appraisals sponsored by Councilwoman Mason and Council President Giacchi was passed by the city council and it provides not only the Greenacres-approved appraisal firms, and a funding mechanism to pay for the appraisals, it has approval from the state fiscal monitor, Judy Tripodi. IT’S GOOD TO GO!
At the February 4th council meeting, Councilwoman Mason stressed to the city attorney that the appraisals need to be done within in the next 45 days to meet the first deadline of the county application submission process.
Who is going to put the application together and submit it?
Once again, HSPC will work with the city administration to complete the application and then HSPC will present it to the county board this spring.
What happens if the County grants us the money?
If selected by the Hudson County Open Space Advisory Board, the City gains to receive a substantial grant that can help purchase the first few parcels of park land in Southwest Hoboken, the SW6 Park. Now is the opportunity to buy land since the prices are dropping. We are also looking at other funding sources as well.
“I think the SW organization had a wonderful application. I wish every municipality demonstrated the kind of community support that the SW demonstrated.”
~ Stephen Marks, PP, AICP, Board Secretary, Hudson County Division of Planning
