Mayor Ravi S. Bhalla delivered his final State of the City Address on Tuesday, March 11, to a packed audience at the Mile Square Theatre, reflecting on his tenure since taking office in 2018 and outlining his vision for the future of Hoboken.
Bhalla highlighted key achievements, progress on major initiatives, and the future opportunities that remain for the Mile Square City.
Key topics in this year’s address included:
Vision Zero Progress - Hoboken has not had a single traffic-related death in eight years, reinforcing its status as a national model for traffic safety for drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists but the City’s work is not done as it plans to update the Vision Zero Action Plan this year with a focus on the behaviors that lead to traffic injuries.
Climate Resiliency & Infrastructure - Updates on Rebuild by Design, flood mitigation efforts, and the City’s expanding green infrastructure including the expansion of the Southwest Resiliency Park which will open this year and detain 500,000 gallons of stormwater and Maritime Park which will make the waterfront publicly accessible with a variety of active and passive amenities.
Affordable Housing & Smart Growth - Progress on expanding affordable housing options and inclusive development including the Northend Redevelopment plan, over 200 units of affordable housing set to be constructed in the next five years, as well as plans for both affordable and workforce housing at the Garage B site.
Public Safety & Community Engagement - Investments in first responders and new initiatives to strengthen police-community relations including plans for a new Community Policing Bureau for on-street foot patrols.
“As I delivered my final State of the City address, I felt incredibly grateful for the trust and partnership of our residents in building a safer, more sustainable, and more equitable Hoboken,” said Mayor Bhalla. “From achieving eight years without a traffic fatality to making historic investments in resiliency and infrastructure, we’ve accomplished so much together. I was proud to reflect on our journey and share the steps we must take to ensure Hoboken continues to thrive for generations to come.”
The event was open to the public, and a livestream was available on the City of Hoboken’s YouTube page.
Mayor Bhalla’s 2025 State of the City Address, as prepared for delivery:
Thank you, Vanessa, Daisy, Nora, and Olga, for that introduction and starting us off tonight.
You are just a few of the incredible women who help make Hoboken run every day.
As we celebrate Women’s History Month, it’s important to acknowledge that women have had to work hard to earn the leadership roles they deserve.
They say that women are underrepresented in government, particularly in positions of executive function and influence. I’m proud to say that under my administration, the opposite is true. Not only do women have a seat at the table, women are literally running this city at the highest levels of government and making us better and stronger every day.
Women aren’t just given these opportunities. They are earned through talent, hard work, dedication, and perseverance.
In Hoboken, we are fortunate to have so many strong women leading the way, like Sergeant Christine Collins, Officer Daniela Simone, Cheryl Noble in the Fire Department, Director Jen Gonzalez, Director Diana Aviles, Health Officer Nancy Tarantino, Deputy Health Officer Berlyne Vilcant, Head of Cultural Affairs Cristin Cricco-Powell, Event Producer Angie Ledesma, Court Administrator Kerri Azzolini, Mary Beth Rotondi in the Clerk’s Office, and a special shout out to Diane Goldsholl who tries her best to keep me on schedule – even though it’s not always easy – as well as the other amazing women who introduced me here tonight, among so many others.
Let's stand up and give them a round of applause.
I want to begin by expressing my deepest gratitude to my family, who see both the good days and the challenging ones. To my wife, Bindya, my children, Arza and Shabegh, and my mom and dad, I could not do this without you.
Seven years ago, I delivered my first address, standing before you as a newly elected mayor, filled with excitement, determination, and an unwavering commitment to make Hoboken the best version of itself.
I remember walking through our streets in those early days. There were potholes that needed fixing, parks in desperate need of investment, and water mains that were waiting to burst. I remember the conversations with my neighbors, the hopes you shared with me, along with the belief that together, we could do better.
We were sick of feeling stuck. Because Hoboken has never been a city that waits for things to happen. Instead, we make them happen.
We have always been a city of builders, of doers, of people who see challenges and say, ‘Let’s figure this out.’
I think about the generations before us, the Lenape who first inhabited these shores, the waves of immigrants who later arrived with pockets full of nothing but hope, the families who built businesses from the ground up, and the activists who fought for a more just community.
Every step forward in our history has been made by people who refused to settle for 'good enough.' And today, we stand on their shoulders, with the same spirit, the same determination, and the same responsibility to push Hoboken forward.
Tonight, I share with you my final State of the City Address. I want to talk not just about what we’ve accomplished. I want to talk about what’s possible. I want to talk about the city we are building together. About the challenges we have turned into opportunities, and about the future that is ours to shape.
Because Hoboken’s story is far from over. In fact, ‘The best is yet to come.’
It is no secret we have had our fair share of challenges. Whether it’s literal rising tides, or the pressures of growth and change in a modern city, we have never turned away.
Instead, we’ve proudly led the way in resilience.
Take our Rebuild by Design project, for example. More than a decade ago, Superstorm Sandy devastated our city, leaving families without water or power for days. But instead of simply rebuilding back to where we were, always vulnerable, we reimagined. We innovated. And now, we are creating a national model for flood protection, one that doesn’t just protect us from disaster, but also enhances our parks, strengthens our neighborhoods, and prepares us for the future.
That is the Hoboken way. We don’t just bounce back, we build forward.
When I took office seven years ago, Rebuild by Design was in its infancy and struggling against pressures inside and outside of our city. Now, thanks to our advocacy, the State has invested another $100 million into RBD, and this major climate adaptation project will be the most consequential project of our lifetime, and set a national model for cities across America.
Once completed, this flood protection system will not only safeguard Hoboken against storm surge, but it will also provide community amenities at Harborside Park, including a playground, an amphitheater, gardens, and an open plaza as well as a sliding gate that you’ll never see on ordinary, sunny days, but it will deploy when necessary to fully connect the ‘Resist’ feature across 15th Street, keeping the Hudson River from flooding our homes.
When construction is done, not only will 80% of the City be comprehensively protected from storm surge flooding, but flood insurance rates will likely go down and Hoboken will become a model city for resilience, that cities across the country, and the globe, will look to as climate change causes rising sea levels everywhere.
And in Northwestern Hoboken, we have the State’s largest resiliency park. Just think about it: when I first came into office, ResilienCity Park was an empty lot, a former site of a chemical plant. Nothing had been there for years.
But today, it is the site of the city’s largest park, providing field space for soccer, baseball and lacrosse, a lawn to host summer Movies Under the Stars, a cafe and community space, and the tank underground has collected millions of gallons of rainwater to mitigate flooding. This is a generational project that when we look back, decades from now, will have set the standard for cities all across America to emulate.
But this project is part of a larger system. It can’t work in a silo. That’s why we’ve collaborated with the NHSA on wet weather pumps and the Adams Street force main to ensure that water captured by the park can be expelled quickly during and after a storm event and we can dewater the city and return to normalcy faster than ever before.
We are also increasing our capacity; expanding the Southwest Resiliency Park to create more active park amenities and withhold about 500 thousand gallons of stormwater. We look forward to cutting the ribbon on this expansion later this year, which will feature a basketball court and a playground. And don’t fret, pickleballers, your courts will be back in action soon.
We’ve also laid the groundwork for the next resiliency park at 800 Monroe, and I fully expect the incoming Mayor to stand firm against any outside threats to this project from neighboring cities. This critical park will not only bring additional tennis courts and active recreation spaces but also enhance flood resiliency for residents of West Hoboken.
I can’t stress enough the critical role these parks will play in adapting to the effects of climate change, as the world faces heavier rainstorms and more serious flooding events every single year.
I strongly believe that cities like Hoboken are at an inflection point, where we can choose to continue with infrastructure projects as usual, without accounting for what the next 10, 20, or even 50 years will look like.
Or, we can choose our own destiny.
That is why it is even more important than ever before for cities to lead the way. To acknowledge that, yes, climate change is real, and it will take bold action NOW for coastal cities to even dare to exist in the future.
Folks, climate change is an existential threat to our City – to its very existence.
It's why we’re investing not only in climate adaptation but clean energy, so the next generation will inherit a city that is stronger, healthier, and more sustainable.
It has led us to the create the City’s first Climate Action Plan and the Department of Climate Action & Innovation, EV charging infrastructure, launch citywide composting and textile recycling, and introduced a renewable energy program that, while it hasn't been without its hiccups, has saved residents nearly $1 million since it launched.
Now, this work is far from over. The next administration, and the next, will need to take up the mantle and even more so, the next generation.
Our young people are already leading the way, advocating for climate action, embracing public transit, and pushing us to be bolder in our commitments. We owe it to them to listen, to act, and to ensure that when they look back, they know that we did everything possible to create a greener, more just, and more resilient Hoboken.
So, tomorrow, the City will launch applications to the next round of the Youth Climate Action Fund to empower our leaders of tomorrow to take charge in our community now. Thanks to Bloomberg Philanthropies, this year, we will disperse $90,000 in microgrants to Hoboken youth dedicated to making a difference.
It's these combined efforts, ours and theirs, that will ensure that my kids, your kids, and future generations will be able to live and thrive in Hoboken for years to come.
I am also proud to say that we can now confidently say to our children that they will enjoy a dream that seemed unattainable for decades: a fully connected waterfront at the former Union Dry Dock site.
Today, thanks in large part to the collective action of countless residents and environmental activists, we are preparing to break ground on the waterfront park that many said would never even be built. When I first became a councilperson in 2009, I was told this was an unachievable goal, but we are excited to be moving forward with the first phase of what we will call Maritime Park.
Maritime Park will be a world-class waterfront park that will provide a seamless and continuous walkway stretching from one end of our city to the other: A park that balances recreation, history, and resilience; A park that will feature expansive lawns, an upgraded skate park, and an expanded beach; A park that will have living shoreline, and a new Learning Pier to help immerse residents young and old in the natural wonders of the Hudson River.
But this park will be more than just a place to gather, it will be a tribute to Hoboken’s rich maritime heritage. A new Maritime Pier and community center will honor our working waterfront’s legacy, offering space for cultural exhibits, educational programming, and even docking for historic vessels, giving residents the opportunity to engage in hands-on experiences.
And while we celebrate our past, we must also prepare for our future. Maritime Park is designed with resiliency at its core, featuring a tidal marsh, stormwater management systems, and a tree canopy to combat rising temperatures. The park’s design accounts for sea level rise, ensuring this space will continue for future generations.
As you can see, this is more than construction. This is a promise fulfilled. A promise that our waterfront belongs to everyone. A promise that our shoreline will not just be preserved, but enhanced. A promise that future generations will enjoy uninterrupted access to one of the most breathtaking urban waterfronts in America. In Maritime Park, we are not just building another green space: we are strengthening our connection to the water, to our history, and to each other.
When I was first elected mayor, I promised to improve our infrastructure as well – the bones of our city which have been old, broken, and in need of repair. Of course, this includes critical, basic infrastructure like our water mains, which for decades, suffered from neglect and underinvestment.
Through our renegotiated water service agreement, we’re modernizing this essential infrastructure to ensure more reliable service. So far, we’ve replaced five miles of water mains, with another five miles set for upgrades by 2034 and, we’ve helped replace 70 lead service lines working with homeowners across the city because clean, reliable water isn’t a luxury; it’s a basic human right.
Let’s also remember, resiliency isn’t just about the pipes and pumps and weathering the storm, it’s about finding utility in those spaces that enhance our urban fabric. The parks we’ve built aren’t just patches of grass or sponges that absorb rainwater. They are places where children take their first steps, where families gather, and where friendships are formed.
We didn’t just strengthen our infrastructure. We built community, and that's what continues to keep us resilient and prepared for the future of what comes next.
At the end of the day, we know that a strong city is about its people. It’s about ensuring that the very things that make Hoboken special: its diversity, its energy, its sense of community, aren’t lost as we grow. It’s why we’ve invested in public art and the Division of Cultural Affairs, to continue to celebrate this diversity including with our youth through teen art programming which is expanding this year.
Critically, it’s why we’ve also expanded affordable housing initiatives and fought to ensure that longtime residents and families can continue to call Hoboken home.
Let’s be real for a minute. Our City, County, and the entire tri-state area is in a housing crisis.
Millions of Americans, and countless residents right here are faced with skyrocketing housing costs, high rents, and a limited supply. In the worst-case scenarios, those who cannot afford a home anymore might be living homeless in our community.
This is a reality we simply cannot ignore. The problem is clear: rents are rising by hundreds, even thousands of dollars. Many longtime residents can no longer afford to live in the town where they were born and raised. Meanwhile, aging homes are falling into disrepair, with crumbling staircases and leaky roofs in desperate need of attention.
It’s more important than ever before for cities, like Hoboken, to do our part to address the growing housing crisis and our constitutional obligation to provide affordable housing.
That’s why my administration is asking the City Council to move forward on a historic project to create hundreds of units of workforce housing at the current site of Garage B, transforming an aging and costly garage into a mixed-use, transit-oriented property. This site, which instead of market-rate, luxury housing, will be a mix of affordable housing units and workforce housing units so that workers and low- and moderate-income residents also have a place in Hoboken.
This project – the Garage B redevelopment plan – is one of the boldest affordable housing initiatives that we have introduced in recent memory, and I am proud to stand with the teachers, fire fighters, police officers, and municipal workers who keep our city running, by saying, YOU deserve to live in the community you serve.
While this is just one project, it is also a promise, a commitment, that Hoboken is not strictly an upper-class haven. It’s a place where we recognize and honor the generations of residents who have built the best City in New Jersey, and who deserve to call Hoboken home.
And seniors need our help, too. Rising housing costs have had an outsized impact on our seniors and it’s time for bold action.
Last year, I announced Hoboken’s first fully affordable senior housing development in over thirty years. Today, I’m proud to share that the project received Zoning Board approval and is moving forward, with a groundbreaking anticipated later this year at 11th and Willow. This six-story building will offer 36 deed-restricted, affordable homes for seniors, along with community space to enhance their quality of life.
But this is about more than just bricks and mortar, it’s about ensuring every resident has a place in our Mile Square. And it’s just one of many steps we’re taking to expand affordable housing and build a more inclusive city.
Working hand in hand with the residents and leaders of the Hoboken Housing Authority, we adopted a commonsense redevelopment plan that does more than revitalize buildings, it strengthens the fabric of our community.
Now, with a redeveloper on board, the HHA can begin its journey to work with HUD to rehabilitate and replace all 1,354 existing homes, through a phased approach, ensuring that the 2,500 people who built their lives here can stay.
It will create vibrant community spaces, a new resiliency park, upgrade critical infrastructure to tackle flooding and sewer issues, and improve transportation so residents have better access to what they need.
At its core, the Hoboken Housing Authority Rehabilitation Plan is about keeping Hoboken affordable and about creating a mix of diverse housing opportunities but importantly, it is also about people and about honoring the past while building a stronger, more inclusive future for Hoboken.
As you may know, we have an affordable housing ordinance that requires affordable housing as part of every redevelopment agreement I sign. Over the next five years, Hoboken will see 200 new affordable housing units come on line through projects like Hoboken Connect which will also incorporate a new bus terminal, rehabilitate the Ferry Terminal for commercial space, and restore Warrington Plaza.
And the 1500 Clinton Street project, which will break ground this year, will include 38 units of affordable housing, along with an uptown branch of the Hoboken Public Library, just up the block from where we are here tonight.
When the redevelopment project at 38 Jackson Street opens by this fall, 11 affordable housing units will be available, Southwest Hoboken will finally get a long-awaited grocery store, and much-needed additional preschool space so our youngest students will find their learning community closer to home.
While we work to build more affordable and workforce housing, preserving rent control remains just as critical.
Last year, together we stood shoulder to shoulder with tenants and advocacy groups to withstand hundreds of thousands of dollars in special interest money to defeat a referendum that would have gutted rent control throughout the city.
Keeping Hoboken affordable for longtime residents and families across incomes remains a priority, and my administration, alongside the Tenant Advocate and the Rent Control & Stabilization Office, continues to fight against corporate landlords attempting to impose unconscionable rent increases.
By working directly with tenants, enforcing rent control laws, and holding bad actors accountable, we are committed to ensuring that Hoboken remains a place that all residents can continue to call home.
That the national housing crisis is not unique to Hoboken, frankly, cannot be stated enough. What is unique, however, is how we care for our most vulnerable. Because our success can't be measured just by what we build, but who we lift up along the way.
In 2024, our social workers were more than just case managers, they were lifelines, helping those in our community who are experiencing homelessness to secure IDs, housing, and basic mental health services.
Their work has been nothing short of remarkable. They assisted tenants with securing temporary rental assistance, preventing evictions. They connected a struggling resident with a nonprofit to pay off overdue utility bills, facilitated phone and tablet donations, and even secured a free mobile scooter for a senior, restoring their independence.
Through their Fresh Start Program, we accommodated 56 clients with showers and 58 clients with haircuts, providing dignity and confidence. Project BEST screened 91 residents for vision care, while job fairs and outreach programs connected people to employment, legal aid, and mental health support. As we look ahead this year, we will offer Medicaid enrollment events, free legal clinics, and monthly donation drives, ensuring no resident is left behind.
That is what it means to be a compassionate and forward-thinking city. We do not just acknowledge the struggles of our neighbors; we take action to support them. And today, we reaffirm our commitment to making sure every Hoboken resident, no matter their circumstances, has access to the care, resources, and the support they need to thrive.
Our compassion and community are why we are also investing in safe streets. So that everyone, whether you walk, bike, drive, or take the bus, can move around our city safely and easily.
A key example of this will be the Sinatra Drive Redesign Project, which will break ground this fall thanks to those who advocated for improving pedestrian and bicycle safety and access along our waterfront.
This project will make long-awaited connectivity improvements and create a safer experience for everyone, including: a smoother roadway, two-way protected bike way, trees, crosswalks, new lighting, and more.
With these investments, Sinatra Drive will be better than ever. A place where people don’t just move past the city but experience it, on foot, on bike, and in a car more safely thanks to our Vision Zero initiative.
When we committed to Vision Zero, we set an ambitious goal: eliminating traffic deaths and injuries by 2030. And I am proud to report that as of January of this year, we have now gone eight consecutive years without a single traffic fatality.
That did not just happen by chance. It happened because we made safety a priority. Because we redesigned our streets with modern safety features. Because we installed over 230 curb extensions, and daylit over two thirds of intersections citywide to give pedestrians the visibility they deserve.
But this isn’t just about numbers. It’s about the parent who can push their child’s stroller across the street without fear. It’s about the seniors who know they’ll be seen and respected before they step off the curb. It’s about the thousands of people in our city who don’t just feel safer, they are safer.
Our commitment to Vision Zero is unwavering and our work is far from done. This year, our City will begin to prepare an update to our Vision Zero Action Plan to help measure our progress and target the behaviors that contribute to traffic injuries on our streets.
We will also explore even more protected bike lanes to improve connectivity and safety through more neighborhoods, because, let’s face it, bikes are still on the sidewalks, and we need cyclists to feel safer on our streets.
As we continue to work with the County to improve safety along uptown Willow Avenue, we will gather input and use cutting-edge data collection to identify near-misses, ensuring a comprehensive approach to removing this corridor from our high-crash network with innovative engineering.
I’m proud to announce that later this year the Department of Transportation and Parking will release the Curb Reimagined Action Plan, a first-of-its-kind initiative to rethink curb spaces so they better serve everyone, whether biking, receiving a delivery, parking, or using rideshare.
Perhaps the biggest transformation you will see will be in Northwest Hoboken, which represents the final frontier for our city's development. This industrial area is poised for rebirth through our thoughtfully designed redevelopment plan for the North End, with micromobility and Vision Zero at its core.
This plan includes affordable housing, a linear park, pedestrian promenades, protected bike lanes and a new light rail station on 15th Street.
But, every crosswalk we improve, every bike lane we build, every street we redesign isn't just about creating common-sense infrastructure. It’s about building a city that works for people, a city that is safe, easy, and accessible to all.
Now, I won’t sugarcoat it. There will be painful months ahead as construction continues. But, we must push forward on these crucial projects, projects to protect you and your property from rainfall flooding, to provide you with reliable, clean drinking water, to create more open space, to make your streets safer, and to ensure we never again need to evacuate the city because a hurricane is headed our way.
We will of course continue working with our engineers, transportation planners, and police department to mitigate traffic impacts, but the reality is: we will experience more congestion over the next few months. We will feel potholes under our tires and a phone call may be interrupted by the sound of jackhammers.
Folks, these are the growing pains of a city investing in its future.
And I urge you, do not lose sight of the end result. Of the Hoboken of tomorrow. Of the city you demanded us to deliver and that you deserve.
A city where you no longer wade through ankle-deep flooded intersections on your way home from work.
A city where you don’t have to play Frogger just to walk your kid to the park.
A city where that same park not only has a playground and a grassy lawn but also an underground stormwater detention tank, so your basement stays dry.
I know it’s inconvenient. I know it’s frustrating. But I am asking you to hang tight, Hoboken. Because your priorities are my priorities. And my team? They are going above and beyond to make your priorities their own.
We also heard you when you said you want a stronger focus on public safety, and you want to see more police officers.
This year, we’re making one of the most significant investments in public safety, because a safe city is a thriving city.
Today, we began installing up to 30 A.I.-equipped cameras in Church Square Park, giving the Hoboken Police Department more tools to investigate and respond to incidents faster. And that’s just the start, more cameras will be installed in parks across the city to keep our parks safer.
But technology alone doesn’t cut it. While last year, we increased the Police Departments capacity by 10 officers, I recognize this is not enough. So tonight, I’m urging the City Council to approve the hiring of 20 new police officers so that Chief Aguiar can create a dedicated Community Policing Bureau and bring back on-street foot patrols. Because while violent crime is down 14% and the Department’s arrest rate is exceptional, we recognize that no data point brings you comfort if you don’t feel safe walking home at night.
By emphasizing proactive, community-based policing, with an active on-street police presence in your neighborhoods, we will increase police visibility and ensure that every resident is, and feels, protected.
We’re also bolstering our Fire Department, having hired 13 new firefighters last year to ensure every fire truck is fully staffed and ready to respond at a moment’s notice. Simply put, more firefighters on every call on every truck saves lives.
Earlier this year we secured the future of emergency medical services in Hoboken with a new five-year contract for Hoboken EMS. Our EMTs response times average just two and a half minutes and their new state-of-the-art ambulance means they can continue to deliver the high-quality care you deserve when you need it most.
These aren’t just investments; they’re a commitment to your safety. With a stronger police presence, more fire fighters, and reliable EMS, we’re making Hoboken safer than ever.
I want to take a moment to thank our public safety personnel and recognize the incredible city employees and department directors who work tirelessly to serve our community. Your dedication and professionalism make Hoboken a better place every day. From keeping our streets safe to delivering essential services, your efforts do not go unnoticed. On behalf of residents, thank you for all that you do.
I also want to acknowledge and thank our county and state officials here tonight for their continued support of the City of Hoboken as well as the Hoboken City Council members here with us. Your decisions impact the future of our city, and I deeply appreciate your partnership, and your dedication, and commitment to serving Hoboken.
We lost a true example of this dedication last year, in the unexpected loss of Councilwoman Jen Giattino. Jen was more than a public servant; she was a tireless advocate for her neighbors. Whether it was fighting for small businesses, standing up for residents, especially those experiencing homelessness, she embodied the very best of Hoboken. Her impact on our city is immeasurable and I hope we will all continue to be inspired by her legacy of service, kindness, comradery, and her unwavering commitment to making Hoboken a better place for all.
I’d like to ask for a moment of silence in her memory.
Thank you.
The best part of Hoboken is that we push for greatness together.
Because Hoboken is a city where neighbors still look out for each other, where local businesses aren’t just places to shop but places to connect, where people step up, whether it’s in moments of crisis or in everyday acts of kindness.
So tonight, let’s reaffirm what we already know to be true: Hoboken’s strength is in its community.
Because it wasn’t just city officials replacing water mains, it was a community that refused to settle for unreliable infrastructure.
It wasn’t just engineers designing flood barriers, it was parents, business owners, and advocates coming together, calling for resilience.
Every step we’ve taken, every challenge we’ve overcome, has been because of the unity of this city and its people.
While this may be my final year as your mayor, the work does not stop here. The foundation we have laid will continue to support future generations. Because the story of Hoboken is not finished. It will be written by the next administration, the next generation, and by each of you.
The question is: What kind of city do we want to be? A city that settles? Or a city that continues to rise to every challenge, to lead with heart, and to inspire others?
So, let’s keep pushing and dreaming of a Hoboken that is stronger, greener, safer, and more united than ever before. Because when Hoboken faces a challenge, we don’t turn away. We rise, we adapt, and we lead the way forward.
Thank you, Hoboken, for your trust, your partnership, and your belief in our shared vision. It has been the honor of a lifetime to serve you as your mayor.
And while this is my last year as Mayor, my commitment to this city will never fade.
Good night, and may Hoboken continue to thrive for generations to come.
Thank you.
