CLOSING THE GAPS
Admirals Walk, Edgewater
In March 2020, the Conservancy brought legal action against Admiral’s Walk Condominium Association to require them to open their Hudson River waterfront area to the general public under the Public Trust Doctrine. On January 6, 2021, a Settlement Agreement was entered, whereby pursuant to a Memorandum of Understanding,
the Conservancy would withdraw its legal action and Admiral’s Walk would allow a local developer to build a Walkway segment along Admiral’s Walk’s waterfront connecting the Walkway at Veteran’s Park to the Walkway at Edgewater Marina. The Settlement Agreement was agreed to by the Admiral Walk’s Board of Directors but also required approval of the NJDEP and two-thirds of Admiral’s Walk’s owners. Because Admiral Walk has yet to obtain approval of two-thirds of its owners, in October 2022 the Conservancy re-instituted litigation against Admiral’s Walk. In November 2022 the Conservancy moved for Summary Judgement against Admiral’s Walk and is awaiting a decision before Judge Le Luca in New Jersey Supreme Court, Bergen County Docket No. BER-C-52-20.
The Marketplace, Edgewater
The Marketplace in Edgewater currently has a wooden platform extending behind a number of restaurants and stores along the waterfront. The platform, which blocks access to the waterfront, is used by the adjoining restaurants for outdoor dining for their patrons. Under the Public Trust Doctrine, the Conservancy will seek to have the owner build an extension to the platform to be dedicated as a Walkway in lieu of requiring the Marketplace to cease using the platform for outdoor dining.
615 River Road, Edgewater
This property is under proposed development and is currently a vacant lot. After resolution of the Admiral’s Walk litigation, the Conservancy will approach the owners to seek access across the waterfront portion of their property and have them install a temporary walkway or path while the property awaits completion of development and construction of a permanent Walkway several years from now.
Quanta Site, Edgewater
The US EPA has designated the Quanta Site as a federal CERCLA clean-up site. Honeywell Corp., as the responsible party, is in the process of cleaning up the site under the direction and jurisdiction of the US EPA. Upon completion of the clean-up and release of the site from US EPA’s jurisdiction, the Conservancy will seek access across the waterfront portion of their property to cause installation of a temporary walkway or path while the property awaits completion of development and construction of a permanent Walkway several years from now. Clean up progress as of September 2022.
Riverview, North Bergen
This property is under proposed development and is currently a vacant lot. After resolution of the Admiral’s Walk litigation, the Conservancy will approach the owners to seek access across the waterfront portion of their property to install a temporary walkway or path while the property awaits completion of development and construction of a permanent Walkway several years from now.
Weehawken Park, Weehawken
Weehawken Waterfront Park has been developed in sections over many years. Each completed section includes portions of the Walkway. The final section of the Walkway at Weehawken Park is scheduled to begin construction in early 2023.
Union Dry Dock, Hoboken
The City of Hoboken is currently in the process of using eminent domain to obtain the Union Dry Dock property. Upon obtaining the property, Hoboken will incorporate it into the Hudson River Waterfront Park, which will include construction of a Walkway segment through the parcel.
Liberty Harbor, Jersey City
Phase II of Liberty Harbor will trigger a requirement to construct a Walkway along their property along the Morris Canal between Marin and Jersey Avenues. They expect to commence work by 2026. In the meantime, there is a temporary walkway path along the waterfront at their property. The Conservancy is seeking an agreement with Liberty Harbor to remove a gate at the west end of the property that is closed on weekends.