The city of Hoboken, as one of the fastest growing urban areas in New Jersey, is constantly on the move to keep up with the times by renewing dated infrastructure. However, one relic of Hoboken from the past that still remains is Court Street, which runs parallel to Washington Street and remains one of the city’s few original cobblestone streets from over 125 years ago. Though it seems like a nice homage to Hoboken’s past, it is a hassle and obstacle for cyclists, pedestrians, and trucks as they navigate day to day life while traveling on this outdated road.
In an attempt to reintroduce safety and water flow through Court Street, the city of Hoboken proposes two plans to renovate the street while maintaining its original character. One redesign concept would introduce a concrete sidewalk for both parts of Court Street while reusing and redistributing the original stones to create a better cobblestone street that is more easy to navigate. The other redesign concept would have only concrete paving in front of doorways and garages, letting the street itself remain completely cobblestone. However, this plan would require more stones from the city to be added. The general public had the opportunity to vote on the two potential options to renovate the street through an online survey.
Councilman Mike DeFusco, whose First Ward includes four blocks of Court Street, says “As someone who passionately advocated for its historic preservation, I couldn’t be prouder of our efforts. We’re blending the past and present, preserving Court Street’s rich history while enhancing the pedestrian experience.” The history of Court Street includes becoming a service alley in the 1830s and the 1850s, before being paved with stones to look similar to the other cobblestone streets in Hoboken around the 1900s. The historic street even appeared in the acclaimed 1954 movie On The Waterfront, starring The Godfather’s Marlon Brando. However, time has not been very kind to the street, as it has become more uneven and lacks a proper drainage system.
The change of the cobblestone Court Street showcases how Hoboken intends to honor its rich past while still creating a safer way for pedestrians and drivers to travel. Though something as small as the formation of a road may seem insignificant, it is still a reminder of an era that we should celebrate while also making it more accessible for people in the present and the future.
