The Hoboken Zoning Board of Adjustment voted to approve Stevens’ application for three variances regarding the Academic Gateway Complex this past Tuesday. This vote marked the end of a seventeen-month debate between support and opposition to the project and will allow Stevens to move ahead with the construction of two new academic buildings along Hudson Street.
Tuesday’s hearing, held at the Hoboken Multi-Service Center, was the last of six hearings regarding the application. For the past few years, Stevens had faced the challenge of placing an academic building on residentially-zoned land. The two proposed buildings, dubbed “The Academic Gateway Complex,” are planned to be built in place of Lieb as well as the 6th Street parking lot, an area Hoboken has zoned strictly for residential usage. Before constructing these buildings, Stevens first had to seek approval from the Hoboken Zoning Board, which resulted in several public hearings for members of the community to share their opinions on the matter.
Originally submitted in May of 2014, Stevens’ application was met with much opposition from Hoboken residents. Many believed the height of the proposed buildings would obstruct their view of the New York skyline. Some also took issue with the proposed “sky bridge,” a glass walkway meant to connect the two buildings which would be positioned over a public street. In response to these concerns, Stevens changed the design of the buildings to make the proposed buildings blend more with other buildings on Hudson Street. Despite the changes, there was still much opposition to the design; Stevens now needed to apply for variances, official requests for exemption from City rules, in order to gain approval for construction.
Although there was much opposition to the Gateway Complex, there was also a large amount of support shown at the hearings. Many of those in attendance were Stevens administration, faculty, and students, as well as Hoboken residents who believed the project would be of benefit to the local community. Many argued that Stevens has contributed greatly to the local economy as well as given back to the community in many ways and that it should be allowed the opportunity to improve its academic infrastructure.
In a nearly unanimous decision, the Zoning Board voted 6-1 to approve Stevens’ application for the three variances. The announcement of the decision was met with applause and cheers from those in the Multi-Service Center. Beth McGrath, President Farvardin’s Chief of Staff, was in attendance, and said “[Tuesday’s approval] represents a very significant milestone in Stevens’ plans to improve and strengthen our academic infrastructure […] From research that has the potential to find effective cancer treatments to innovations in smart energy and digital learning, the Gateway will be a critical enabler for the future of Stevens.”
Stevens now has the right to begin construction of the Gateway complex, yet it is expected that Hoboken residents in opposition to the development will appeal the Zoning Board’s decision to the Hoboken City Council. In the case that Stevens faces no legal challenges in the future, construction of the Gateway Complex is expected to be completed in 2017.
