2008 Woodie Awards
Movie theatre considered by Hoboken council
Regina Pynn
Issue date: 10/12/06 Section: Campus News
The Hoboken City Council is taking steps to build a new movie theater for Hoboken residents. The creation of the theater comes as Hoboken continues the pattern of urban redevelopment that has marked the recent past.
The motion, which has steadily gained energy since it was proposed in June, has many supporters. During a recent City Council meeting, council members reminisced about the old theaters. The city has been without a theater since the last of three movie theaters positioned on Washington Street shut down. Councilman Michael Cricco (5th Ward) feels that the "young couples and young people of the city" deserve a place where they can go on dates and relax. Councilwoman Theresa Castallano (1st Ward) spoke about the many citizens who have approached her and inquired about the theater, which Castallano pledged to create in her most recent reelection campaign.
Hoboken's urban situation makes the construction of a theater a careful process. The urban environment disallows a large theater with multiple levels of parking. Though nothing has been made final, the theater will likely be modeled after theaters in neighboring New York City, where most theatergoers walk or take public transportation to the shows.
Lack of space has caused limits to be placed on the theater. The loading dock for the theater should be the smallest possible to accommodate the appropriate vehicles and the theater itself has been limited to 60 feet in height. Concern for the visual impact of the theater has led to other restrictions. The trash and recycling area is required to be in a screened and covered area of the loading dock and the council has madated that "visual relief, windows, doors, plantings and/or artwork shall be provided every 10 feet along all street facades other than the loading dock." The council even stated what sort of plant life may be used around the theater: "evergreen ivy or other vines, using trllises or shrubs which provide year-round interest."
Despite the council's preoccupation with making the theater "an interesting and attractive neighbor," there are those residents and council members who are unhappy with the plan. Primarily, the lack of designated parking for theatergoers and the intrusion of the theater in a residential neighborhood have been criticized. The proposed site of construction is also near an apartment complex. Though some residents have grumbled about the construction, no dissenters were visible at the council meeting.
For now, supporters on the council hope the theater will be functional by next year.
The motion, which has steadily gained energy since it was proposed in June, has many supporters. During a recent City Council meeting, council members reminisced about the old theaters. The city has been without a theater since the last of three movie theaters positioned on Washington Street shut down. Councilman Michael Cricco (5th Ward) feels that the "young couples and young people of the city" deserve a place where they can go on dates and relax. Councilwoman Theresa Castallano (1st Ward) spoke about the many citizens who have approached her and inquired about the theater, which Castallano pledged to create in her most recent reelection campaign.
Hoboken's urban situation makes the construction of a theater a careful process. The urban environment disallows a large theater with multiple levels of parking. Though nothing has been made final, the theater will likely be modeled after theaters in neighboring New York City, where most theatergoers walk or take public transportation to the shows.
Lack of space has caused limits to be placed on the theater. The loading dock for the theater should be the smallest possible to accommodate the appropriate vehicles and the theater itself has been limited to 60 feet in height. Concern for the visual impact of the theater has led to other restrictions. The trash and recycling area is required to be in a screened and covered area of the loading dock and the council has madated that "visual relief, windows, doors, plantings and/or artwork shall be provided every 10 feet along all street facades other than the loading dock." The council even stated what sort of plant life may be used around the theater: "evergreen ivy or other vines, using trllises or shrubs which provide year-round interest."
Despite the council's preoccupation with making the theater "an interesting and attractive neighbor," there are those residents and council members who are unhappy with the plan. Primarily, the lack of designated parking for theatergoers and the intrusion of the theater in a residential neighborhood have been criticized. The proposed site of construction is also near an apartment complex. Though some residents have grumbled about the construction, no dissenters were visible at the council meeting.
For now, supporters on the council hope the theater will be functional by next year.
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