Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla provided an update on Friday night, telling residents that the “Slow Streets” program will be back in place today and Sunday. He has also announced the opening of Sinatra Park and 1600 Park on Monday.
He are the latest details, along with some additional reminders on outdoor dining in the Mile Square City:
Slow streets to return this weekend
We are glad to bring back another weekend of “slow streets” (formerly open streets) this Saturday and Sunday. From 8:00 am until 8:00 pm, vehicular traffic will be restricted on Park Avenue (between 11th and 14th Streets) and 13th Street (from Hudson Street to Willow Avenue) to facilitate additional room for social distancing while walking, jogging, biking and more. This has proven to be a popular program and one that prioritizes pedestrian safety while providing enough space to enjoy the outdoors. As before, congregation and block parties on the open streets are prohibited, while face masks should be worn at all times. Access to garages and vehicles will be permitted.
Re-opening of Sinatra Park and 1600 Park
Even though not all of our recreational activities are back up and running, we are re-opening Sinatra Park and 1600 Park on Monday, June 22 during certain hours for open field time for residents. Both parks will have a capacity limit of 40 to prevent overcrowding, with staff on hand to help monitor the capacity. Activities in small groups and families are permitted such as throwing a baseball, kicking a soccer ball, and more that allow for social distancing, while athletic competitions and pick-up games are currently prohibited. Face masks should be worn to enter and exit the both parks, and are strongly suggested to be worn when near others on the field. The open field time is for Hoboken residents only.
Sinatra Park: Monday – Friday 1:00pm to 4:00pm, Saturday – Sunday 1:00pm – 7:00pm
1600 Park: Monday – Friday 1:00pm to 4:00pm, Saturday – Sunday 1:00pm – 7:00pm
This schedule is in effect for June 22 through July 31, and may be subject to change.
Parklets and Streateries
A number of our restaurants are taking advantage of our business recovery to expand outdoor operations, with approximately a dozen parklets and streateries constructed or under construction. Already for many of these restaurants, the parklets and streateries have been widely used and are helping make up for a portion of the substantial loss of revenue they’ve suffered over the past three months. One issue that has come up from some residents is that the parklets and streateries have taken up some parking spots. I completely understand this concern, however there have been less than 100 spots taken for the parklets and streateries, out of approximately 11,000 on-street parking spots. This, in my opinion, is a small concession to help ensure that our small businesses are able to survive over the next few months and not have to shut their doors. From speaking to several business owners over the past few weeks, many of them are on the cusp of closing their doors without additional revenue.
To temporarily address the parking concern, given schools are no longer in session at the physical school locations, we are now allowing residents with parking permits to utilize parking spots in school zones. This will add approximately 100 parking spots across the City, and help make up some of the lost spots.
Updated hours and rules for outdoor cafes and parklets/streateries
Sidewalk cafes (including any expanded sidewalk cafes): 8:00 am – 11:00 pm Sunday through Wednesday, and between 8:00 am and 12:00 am Thursday through Saturday.
Parklets/streateries: 8:00 am and 11:00 pm, 7 days a week.
Businesses that have both a parklet/streateries and a sidewalk café must close the parklet/streaterie by 11:00 pm Thursday – Saturday, according to our ordinance, even if the sidewalk café is open until midnight.
Additionally, as a reminder to both residents and business owners, smoking is prohibited while occupying any portion of a parklet or streaterie.
Please respect the local neighborhood while dining outdoors
I ask all residents who are utilizing outdoor cafes, parklets and streateries during later hours to please be respectful of households within the area, and to please keep noise to a minimum. I also ask business owners to help remind customers so everyone can have an enjoyable experience without disrupting neighbors.
Social distancing and businesses
Thank you to the many residents who have contacted the business recovery email (businessrecovery@hobokennj.gov) about social distancing concerns at local businesses. Our staff has followed up and had many constructive conversations with a number of these businesses, to ensure that servers are wearing face masks, chairs and tables are six feet apart, and more. We will continue to work cooperatively with our businesses to ensure the safest dining experience possible for residents.