March 18, 2007

Third Ward Councilman Michael Russo and First Ward Councilwoman Theresa Castellano were joined by over 15 Hoboken residents this past Sunday Mar. 11 at the Columbus Gardens Housing Complex at 455 Ninth St., where they wiped down the halls, stairways and basement with soap, warm water and bleach in an attempt to clean a building that had recently been cited by the city for health violations.

Russo Civic Association Helps Columbus Gardens Residents Click HERE for more pictures.

Although residents say that the conditions within the building have been unacceptable for years, the level of neglect was brought to the attention of the public at large by an article published in the Hoboken Reporter on Feb 4, which revealed the urine stained walls, dust coated hallways and unlocked doors though a series of photos.

After conducting a follow-up inspection of the site later in February, Hoboken Health Officer Frank Sasso found that the Hoboken Housing Authority (HHA), which owns and maintains the building, had corrected the problem to an acceptable degree. Although tenants acknowledged the improvements, some say the same problems still persist. The Russo Civic Association led the event and was joined by HHA Commissioners Perry Belfiore and Robert Davis, who resides in the building. Russo plans to visit the Eight Street building at Columbus Gardens with the same cleaning crew on Saturday Mar. 24.
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I would like to publicly thank Michael Russo, his family, friends and the residents that participated for coming to Columbus Gardens this past Sunday and physically cleaning the building. It is sad when outsiders have to do a job that should be done by the landlord and their employees. I know many of the residents here appreciate what you have done; the only concern we have is will it stay this way?
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Click HERE to read the complete Hoboken Reporter letter to the Editor.