Mayor Ravi S. Bhalla today joined New Jersey Department of Environmental Commissioner Shawn LaTourette, New Jersey Department of Community Affairs Acting Commissioner Jacquelyn Suárez, Assemblyman Raj Mukherji, former Mayor Dawn Zimmer, and other elected officials to break ground on the next phase of the Rebuild by Design project at Harborside Park. The park, located at 15th Street and Park Avenue, will integrate a resist structure of flood walls and gates to mitigate storm surge flooding while providing the community with open space amenities including a playground, amphitheater, dog run, and more. The nearly 3-acre park will become the first park in New Jersey with elevated flood protection features aimed at storm surge protection.
"I am thrilled to celebrate the groundbreaking of Harborside Park, a vital project that will not only transform our waterfront but also serve as a symbol of resilience for Hoboken," said Mayor Ravi S. Bhalla. "Through the collaborative efforts of the Rebuild by Design project, we are taking significant steps to protect our residents from the devastating storm surge flooding that we experienced during Hurricane Sandy. Harborside Park will not only provide a host of amenities to our community but will also act as safeguard, ensuring that future generations will have the opportunity to thrive in a more resilient Hoboken. This groundbreaking is a testament to our unwavering commitment to combat and adapt to climate change and I thank Governor Phil Murphy, Commissioner LaTourette, Senator Cory Booker, former Congressman Albio Sires, and former Mayor Dawn Zimmer for their steadfast support of this innovative project."
The Rebuild by Design project, which broke ground in the fall of 2021, recently saw the completion of the replacement of certain underground sewers in portions of north and south Hoboken. The new sewer system modification will help prevent storm surge from breaching Hoboken underground and will complement the above-ground resist features of the project.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development authorized funding for the project following a design competition triggered by the widespread flooding from Superstorm Sandy in October 2012. The Rebuild by Design project stands as a national benchmark for resilient infrastructure, incorporating a comprehensive approach to resilience with four integrated components: resist, delay, store, and discharge, aimed at effectively managing storm surge. These components encompass a blend of infrastructure and soft landscaping to fortify against storm surge and flooding, interconnected infrastructure to manage and control stormwater runoff, and drainage projects with water pumps to facilitate controlled drainage during and after storms.
For more information on the project, go to https://dep.nj.gov/floodresilience/rebuild-by-design-hudson-river/.
