“In the Capital of the Watershed”
Location, location, REDEVELOPMENT??
By Hugh M. Carola
Under a waving American flag on
September 23, Hackensack Riverkeeper formally opened its new outreach office at
231 Main Street in Hackensack. “Today represents the fulfillment of a dream,”
said Captain Bill at the ribbon-cutting ceremony. “Hackensack Riverkeeper has
arrived in the capital of the watershed ready to continue our work on behalf of
the people of the watershed.” On hand to help officially open the doors were
Congressman Steven R. Rothman (D-NJ9th), Hackensack Mayor John F. “Jack” Zisa
(R), and a throng of other well-wishers and supporters.
Guests attending the event and
startled passers-by were treated to the sight of Hackensack Riverkeeper’s new
flagship, the 27-foot pontoon cruiser “Edward Abbey” which was parked in
front of the building with Bagpiper Andrew Carola aboard playing a host of
tunes. After the opening ceremony and throughout the day, refreshments were
served as old friends and new neighbors stopped by for a tour of the 2500
square foot facility.
Our new administrative headquarters is nestled at 231 Main Street in Hackensack. We wish to thank all of the volunteers and supporters that helped make this urban redevelopment possible and giving HRI a new home. |
The funding to purchase the
building came as a result of a plea bargain agreement between the State
Attorney General’s Office and Columbia Terminals, Inc. of Kearny. The company,
which pleaded guilty to a series of environmental crimes last year, was ordered
by the judge to make a $100,000 restitution payment to Hackensack Riverkeeper
in addition to over one million dollars in fines. “As soon as we had the check
in hand, I started searching for a downtown location close to where people live
and work,” said Capt. Bill who added, “a vacant place that we could redevelop
into what we needed.” With the generous help of volunteers, the “vacant place”
he found, the site of the former Arrow Stationery store, has become the home of
Hackensack Riverkeeper.
|
|
The office, complete with staff
and a live collection of fish and marine life from the Hackensack River, is
open Monday through Friday generally from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Metered parking is
available on Main Street and in a nearby parking lot off State and Clay
Streets. Visitors can also reach us via NJ Transit buses and the free
Hackensack Shuttle.
“We constantly ‘talk the talk’
about re-development being the key to both economic growth and environmental
preservation,” says Capt. Bill, “But by setting up shop here on Main Street,
Hackensack, USA, we’re showing everyone that we can also ‘walk the walk.’”
|
Our flagship, the Edward Abbey, stands proudly on Main Street, with bagpiper Andrew Carola on board, announcing our Sept. 23 arrival to the "capitol of the watershed." |
|