THE HOBOKEN REPORTER, FEBRUARY 7, 1999

Dear Editor:

I have lived in Hoboken since 1985. For the first 11 years, I rented an apartment near Park and First Streets.

In 1996, I fled uptown because overdevelopment in the old neighborhood became unbearable. At that time, I had the opportunity to buy the building I now live in. I considered myself fortunate -- or so it seemed.

At first, walking around the new neighborhood seemed okay. All Hoboken pedestrians know that crossing the street has always had its element of risk. In the past two years, however, crossing my 'residential' street has become more and more of a challenge.

Now, as I approach an intersection, I usually need to ask myself: "Should I stay or should I bolt?" Ninety five percent of the time motorists that see me do not slow down. Often I opt not to attempt to outrun the vehicle (although I am quick and somewhat athletic). Presently, I find myself sometimes waiting several minutes for a hiatus in the speeding traffic.

Clearly, the situation I tried to escape has followed me 12 blocks north. I heard there are plans to build a 22-story building at 1600 Park Avenue. As I write this letter, there are several building projects going up in my neighborhood: 12th and Hudson, 12th and Clinton and another colossal project(s) north of 14th Street, near the Hudson River.

All these housing projects have yet to be occupied. With the conditions already quite miserable, what will happen when people begin to move into these apartments? And what will life be like after the proposed 22-story building is complete (actually, 1600 Park is zoned for 8-story buildings)?

(A separate letter could be written regarding other quality of life issues: parking, noise and air pollution, the sewage and electrical systems, etc.)

Meanwhile, as I dodge the daily tangle of traffic I sometimes think of what it means to be a Hoboken taxpayer: a person you take lots of money from -- then you run them over. And when my 10-year-old daughter asks me when she can cross the street by herself, I'll just tell her: maybe some day, maybe . . .

I'll sign myself, quick, but getting tired.

p.s. There was a zoning board meeting scheduled for Tuesday, January 26, in the basement of City Hall regarding the 1600 Park Avenue project. However, it was canceled due to a 'lack' of public notification.

p.s.s. I read about this particular meeting in The Hoboken Reporter January 24, 1999 issue. Isn't this a form of  'public' notification?

Amy Valent