HOBOKEN, NJ - Another perennial political football is getting back into the game, as the City of Hoboken is moving forward with the introduction of an amendment to the Neumann Leathers Redevelopment Plan.

For decades, the blocks-long facility at the city's southern edge has been serving as an incubator for Hoboken's artistic and small business community—long before the term "incubator" was even hatched. The latest proposal will reportedly “preserve and rehabilitate 118,000 square feet of the historic Neumann Leathers Building” on Observer Highway, with politicians maintaining that the newest plan, “seeks to retain and enhance the existing industrial arts community in the Neumann Leathers Building, while constructing new, active mixed-use properties to enhance the local neighborhood.”

The sprawling 4-story campus once housed Neumann Leathers, a producer of leather goods that had been operating in Hoboken since the 1860’s. After the facility shut down, the building became a hub for small businesses and artists seeking essential low-rent space to set up shop. As the city continued its post-industrial redevelopment, the Neumann Leathers Tenants Association formed in 2008, demanding a voice in how the space would continue to be developed.

SIGNUPSCRIPT

The building was officially deemed an Area in Need of Rehabilitation by the Hoboken City Council in 2014. A plan was approved in December 2015, and the Hoboken Department of Community Development and City Council sub-committee have been negotiating with building owners since 2016 on the details of the redevelopment project. In 2017, the Zimmer Administration looked at a number of options to get the ball rolling, and now—four years later—Hoboken appears to be reinvigorating that discussion, amidst a flurry of proposed developmental activity on the northern, southern and western edges of town.

“After years of negotiation, I’m pleased that Hoboken has finally produced a revised plan that not only preserves one of Hoboken’s most historic areas and supports our vibrant arts community, but also provides substantial community benefits including new, mixed-use retail areas and public open space,” said Mayor Ravi Bhalla.

The latest plan amendment proposes 70,000 square feet of rehabilitated industrial arts space, the creation of 76,200 square feet of new commercial and retail properties, 51 units of affordable and workforce housing. There is also an opportunity to provide the extension of Grand Street to Observer Highway, while introducing both a 32,500 square foot outdoor public plaza and a 9,500 square foot indoor public plaza.**BULLSEYE

Meanwhile, the plan calls for, “reduced rents for industrial arts tenants.”

“Hoboken has seen its share of cookie cutter development over the last few decades, and I’m proud to say our plan for the Neumann Leathers Complex breaks that mold,” said First Ward Councilman Mike DeFusco, Chair of the Southern Development Subcommittee. “This innovative adaptive reuse elevates makers, creators, artists and innovators while respecting the needs of the surrounding community. Just like Ponce Market in Atlanta, or Union Station in Denver, Neumann Leathers will remain a landmark in Hoboken for generations to come.”

The City of Hoboken invites residents to join a virtual special City Council community meeting on the plan amendment, which will be hosted by Hoboken’s Office of Community Development on Monday, March 8 at 7:00 pm. The meeting will also be broadcasted live on the City of Hoboken’s Facebook page.**STANDARD

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