“We Have Saved The Empire Tract”
Hackensack Riverkeeper responds to
Mills Corporation’s winning of Arena contract
By Hugh M. Carola Now that the waiting is over and the Mills Corporation has been selected to re-develop the Continental Arena site, Hackensack Riverkeeper, the citizen-steward of the Hackensack River watershed, is both relieved and optimistic. “We’re glad that the year-long ‘beauty pageant’ is over,” said Capt. Bill Sheehan referring to the applicants’ almost daily jockeying for position and attempts to curry favor with the public. “Now the real work can begin to both redevelop the Arena and acquire the remaining open spaces in the Meadowlands because we have saved the Empire Tract.” Throughout the preceding twelve months, Hackensack Riverkeeper and its colleagues at the Hackensack Meadowlands Partnership were included in high-level negotiations and meetings with each of the principal players involved. The Partnership met with NJ Sports and Exposition Authority (NJSEA) Director George Zoffinger on various occasions and with each of the three finalists (Mills, Hartz Mountain and Westfield) to discuss the particulars of each proposal. “We evaluated the environmental merits of each proposal,” said Capt. Sheehan, “and while we made no endorsement, it was obvious that by offering to donate the Empire Tract for conservation, Mills was certainly the front-runner.” From its founding in 1997, Hackensack Riverkeeper consistently and vehemently opposed any plan that would have required filling wetlands on the 600-acre Tract. Hackensack Riverkeeper also helped to found two successful coalitions: the Hackensack Meadowlands Preservation Alliance (1998) and the Meadowlands Partnership (2000) and worked with the NJ State Federation of Women’s Clubs on a statewide petition drive in support of the establishment of a wildlife refuge in the Meadowlands. Hackensack Riverkeeper fully supports the public hearings that are planned to explore the environmental aspects of the project because they will be chaired jointly by the NJ Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) and the NJ Meadowlands Commission (NJMC). Both of the agencies are committed to preserving the 7,000 acres of marshes remaining within the Meadowlands District. “They are also working with Rep. Steve Rothman (D-NJ 9th) to make his vision of a Meadowlands Park a reality,” said Capt. Sheehan, “and Steve’s vision is our vision.” The “real work” as defined by Capt. Sheehan, are the negotiations that will take place between the NJSEA and Mills now that the deal has been struck. It’s quite likely that the full-page ad version of their final project, called “Xanadu,” will not be the same as what’s finally built. During preliminary talks, Mills promised to incorporate mass transit, environmentally-friendly building techniques and a stormwater management plan consistent with new state guidelines in addition to the Empire Tract donation. “Putting those promises into practice is the next step,” said Capt. Sheehan. “Mr. Zoffinger set a place for us at the table and Hackensack Riverkeeper will be there to make sure it happens.” |