REBUILD BY DESIGN HUDSON RIVER
HOBOKEN, NJ
Rebuild by Design - Hudson River (RBDH) emerged from the Rebuild by Design competition. A resiliency strategy for Hoboken and portions of Jersey City and Weehawken was developed to Resist future storm surge events and Delay, Store and Discharge rainfall through a comprehensive system of stormwater parks and green infrastructure projects. HUD awarded $230 million to the State of New Jersey to design and build a multipurpose structure to complete the Resist component of the resiliency strategy that will provide flood risk reduction at the FEMA 100-year storm level (called the "Resist Structure"). A comprehensive analysis of storm surge related flooding and extensive community input lead to the identification of an alignment for the resist structure that utilizes existing high points in the cities topography as an advantage. The Resist alignment is located to connect existing high ground at the 100-year storm level at northern and southern breach points, providing protection of up to 85% of the project area from future storm surge events.
A multi-purpose and multi-functional approach was prioritized during a community driven design process of the Resist Structure and it’s alignment. Community feedback impacted both the final location of the structural alignment as well as the toolkit and placement of urban amenities integrated into the design of the Resist Structure.
Ultimately, a combination of urban amenity strategies were located along the full length of the Resist Structure to provide urban benefits and an improved pedestrian experience throughout the project area wherever the structural alignment was accessible to the public realm. Colors, textures, and amenities responded to the specific contexts and community desires along the alignment from south to north and include multipurpose design elements that add seating, plantings, signage, feature lighting, and other urban elements to the public realm.
Image provided by design team collaborator and subconsultant, OMA.
Image provided by design team collaborator and subconsultant, OMA.
Image provided by design team collaborator and subconsultant, OMA.
Client:
NJDEP New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection
Collaborators:
City of Hoboken, OMA, MKA Associates
Status:
Ongoing construction- Expected completion Fall 2026