New association backs Hudson River Walkway - Hudson River Property Owners and Conservators Association - Focus on: Suburban Markets

The Hudson River Property Owners and Conservators Association (HRPOCA) was formed just over a year ago to keep a watchful eye on the development of New Jersey's Hudson River "Gold Coast" - the stretch of the riverfront extending from Bayonne to the George Washington Bridge.

Essentially, HRPOCA is composed of developers and property owners along the river who share the dream of seeing the riverfront revitalized with orderly and planned office and commercial complexes, residential communities and recreational and entertainment facilities. Our goal is to ensure that such development is consistent with public benefit and environmental sensitivity.

During our short existence, we have initiated several projects that promise to fulfill these objectives. Perhaps the furthest along is our support of the Hudson River Waterfront Walkway, an 18-mile public pedestrian thoroughfare which will extend along the river on 65 acres from the George Washington Bridge to the Bayonne Bridge.

Conceived as an urban park for residents and visitors who currently have very little access to the waterfront, the Walkway already exists in several locations. Seven miles of it have been completed with public funding at Liberty State Park; and additional sections have been built by the owners of properties along the route, who have donated land for the Walkway.

But there are still significant gaps - especially in so-called "orphan sites" where ownership is lacking or unclear - as well as deterioration in some previously-built sections.

HRPOCA estimates that the construction cost of the Walkway in Hudson County alone is $80 million, including bulkhead repair. Add to this an annual operating expense for maintenance, liability and security, and the financial burden on land owners and immediate users is daunting - leaving no incentive for all Walkway sections to be built in a consistent and timely manner.

Believing that a vehicle is needed to secure federal, state and local funding to ensure that the Walkway is completed and properly maintained, HRPOCA recently formed an alliance with the Hudson River Waterfront Conservancy - the non-profit organization formed in 1988 to oversee the creation of the Walkway. With our new partner, we had discussions last summer with various officials to seek additional public funding. Now we are taking our commitment to the next level.

This month, the HRPOCA/Conservancy alliance is formally requesting that New Jersey Governor Christine Whitman form a new not-for-profit, public/private entity to solicit and distribute Walkway funding. A statutory creation comprised of appointed and elected government officials, public advocates and developers, the new group possibly called the Hudson River Waterfront Walkway Conservancy - would also develop consistent design and maintenance criteria for future construction.

Through this new entity, we hope to see the entire length of the Walkway finished and open for public enjoyment.

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