HOBOKEN, NJ — It was once the home of Water Music, where The Feelies and Joe Jackson’s band recorded, and in recent years it has rained a lot of water. One developer hopes to convert the land into 36 condominiums, but hasn’t done so yet. Demolition began. So, a local artist made the decision that he needed a fairy tale.
A giant lot at 931 Madison St. in Hoboken, still awaiting remodeling, has recently housed a cluster of fairy houses, toys and other decorations.
While last month they got rid of many accessories in “Hoboken’s Fairyland,” the designer has a new garden, with symptoms telling destroyers to leave him alone.
The gardener fairy explained last week how she came up with the “Hoboken Fairyland. “
“As I live near the deserted site,” the artist said, “it was miserable to walk every day in front of this rubble-filled horror, especially in summer, when the vagrants sat and smoked/drank and left their homes. “garbage. . . I started thinking that if I started putting lawn ornaments on it, other people might stop using it as a garbage dump. “
He noted, “I have countless artifacts, memorabilia, recyclables, and just a few cool pieces that I’ve collected over the years that constantly give me ideas. “
Then he joined.
“Kids and adults playing and admiring, taking pictures and even adding their own eclectic pieces among mine,” he said, “a ninja gnome, 2 headless superhero minifigures, a pirate team member, and my favorite, a fabric made by kids. “doll. “
“After my neighbor messaged me from a mom publicly thanking me on Hoboken’s Facebook for having her son’s party (he’s obsessed with pirates), I added little figurines to the pirate ship. “
She said other people made repeated trips to the site to see what had been added.
What’s going on with the site?
Last year, the site attracted beer bottles and other trash, and last month, new graffiti gave the impression on fences (see photos).
Regarding the destruction of the fairy kingdom and graffiti, police spokeswoman Marci Rubin said: “Hoboken police are still investigating the scene and detectives are working with all parties involved to achieve a resolution. The Hoboken Police Department would only proactively investigate graffiti if it is offensive. “and/or on city property. Otherwise, there would be no investigation unless the owner filed a report. There have been no reports of graffiti in this Madison Street domain so far this year.
City spokeswoman Marilyn Baer said the personal owner’s plan to rebuild continues.
The site was designated as in need of refurbishment and would eventually be known as Madison Views.
“The city entered into a redevelopment agreement with the owner in October 2021 for a 36-unit residential structure,” Baer said. “The owner is actively involved in the structure to download the mandatory permits to demolish the structure and begin the redevelopment of the property. “
You can read a 2021 update on the progress here.
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