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For immediate release
 

Come party and view the works of local artists; sales will fund a feasibility study
by leading nonprofit industrial developer, Greenpoint Manufacturing and Design Center

 
 
Hoboken, N.J. - July 9, 2009 - Having dodged Trammell Crow's wrecking ball in a unanimous Zoning Board decision on March 6, the Neumann Leathers Tenants Association is turning its focus to the future. The group has hired noted nonprofit industrial developer Greenpoint Manufacturing and Design Center, based in Brooklyn, to perform a feasibility study on developing the Neumann Leathers buildings as a permanent center for arts and industry in Hoboken.

To help raise funds for the project, and defray the costs of the legal battle to block Trammell Crow's zoning application, NLTA is holding a fundraiser on:
Thursday, July 23, from 7 - 10 p.m. at the Eureka Gallery Theater,
258 Newark St., Hoboken.
 
Kicking off a summer group show of artists from the Neumann complex, the opening reception will feature live music by local and Neumann musicians. Refreshments and a complimentary drink are included with the $20 admission.
 
The entire city is invited to help kick off this new phase in Neumann's proud history as a haven for artists, artisans and professionals. Information about many of the professional and artist tenants will be on display on placards that were used to gain the support of the zoning board members. The exhibit will be on view through Labor Day at the historic Eureka Gallery Theater, which recently reopened to host art shows and performances in a space that was built in 1907 as one of the first purpose-built movie theaters in America.
 
Originally screening German-language silent movies, the Eureka Theater most likely catered to the workers at the former leather factory, according to co-owner Steve Kilnisan, owner of the Traders of Babylon shop on First Street. Today, the sturdy Neumann Leathers industrial complex at the foot of Willow Ave. continues to provide employment as a haven for new-economy businesses that rely on proximity to New York. Architects, furniture and piano craftsmen, building-model and recording-studio designers, artists, musicians and more have set up shop there, one of the last bastions against the tide of residential development that has all but engulfed this former blue-collar town.
 
The building is fully occupied, according to tenant Tom Newman, because it's getting hard to find truly functional industrial space - with freight elevators and loading docks, high ceilings, and thick concrete floors and walls - so close to urban centers.

The building hums with the creative energy of people with national and international reputations: Newman's tables grace celebrities' homes; Radii builds architectural models for some of the most famous buildings in the world, including the proposed "Freedom Tower" for New York's World Trade Center site; The Systems Group designs and builds custom broadcast systems for audio and video studios; Chapeau Antiques crafted the ornate inlays and carvings for their re-creation of the Alma-Tadema, the most expensive piano ever made, for Steinway's Legendary Collection.

Other famous tenants include the band Yo La Tengo; Andy Burton, composer and pianist who has played with world-class musicians including Robert Plant, and who recently appeared in the film "Revolutionary Road," and industrial landscape artist Tim Daly.
 
With the assistance of GMDC, whose 17-year track record in transforming old factories into thriving centers for new jobs and economic development in Brooklyn has earned it honors from Brooklyn's Chamber of Commerce and the National Development Council, NLTA will make the case for an alternative development approach that preserves the most historic buildings on the site for their continued industrial and arts use. For more information, visit the website: www.neumanntenants.org. For more information on GMDC, visit www.GMDConline.org.
 
After July 23, the Eureka Gallery Theater is accessible through the storefront at 259 First St., and is open Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., Saturday, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m., and Sunday by appointment.
Stop by, or visit www.eurekamarkets.com , for more information.
 
About NLTA
The Neumann Leathers Tenants Association has been formed to protect, sustain and encourage the entrepreneurial, inventive and creative culture that exists at the Neumann Leather complex, which has played such an important historical role for the city of Hoboken, N.J., for well over two decades.

Located on Observer Highway at the corner of Willow Ave., we are a mixture of artists and artisans, craftspersons and professionals, and creative technology-based small businesses. We have joined together because we are concerned about the continued elimination of the industrial buildings that once were at the heart of Hoboken's industrial base and which now provide
an economical support base for this creative community.
 

WE WON!

By this time you all have no doubt heard the news: a unanimous, 7-0, vote to deny TCR's plan the throw us out and tear Neumann down - the conclusion of eight months of hearings, and close to $40,000 in expenses on our side.
 
How sweet it is. The Board was clearly torn between a desire to see the Neumann eyesore cleaned up, on the one hand, and all our arguments about diversity, jobs, historic significance, and zoning-by- variance on the other. I believe they were really "on the fence" until we rolled out our heavy artillery on Thursday night. It was high drama at City Hall until the final vote came at 12:42 AM.

For immediate release

• Restore Historic Buildings
• Preserve 200+ Jobs in Arts & Industry Zone
• Create New Open Public Space, and
• Generate New Development Opportunities

The following letter was sent the to the Hoboken Reporter: 

To the Editor:

It was disconcerting to read (Reporter, 11-9-08) that yetanother of Hoboken’s old factory buildings – Wonder Bread at Eighth  and Willow - is in danger of closingshop for its arts and industry tenants for residential conversion.  If approved by the Zoning Board, itwill be the latest victim of the development tsunami - the monotonous march ofcondos - which has virtually cleaned these uses out of town.  At least in this case the plan is tosave the building.  As thearchitect, Dean Marchetto, says, “a good architect should always try to save abuilding when it can be saved”.

Unfortunately, Marchetto does not apply the same logic tothe historic Neumann Leather complex for which he has been hired by itsdeveloper as its architect.  Thereason, he says, is that Neumann has “contamination issues.”  The developer, Trammel CroweResidential (TCR), contracted Langan Engineering & Environmental Servicesto carry out a study which it claims supports the position that the complex ofNeumann buildings cannot be saved. The truth is that the Langan Report falls far short of this and servesanother purpose.

Success! The 27th annual Hoboken Studio tour drew between 250 and 300 people to Neumann Leathers including Hoboken resident Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ). Thanks go to the artists who opened and to everyone who helped, especially Mary Ann Farley, Jen Fanning, Sheilah Scully and musician Karen Duffy, a new friend of Neumann who spent the day guiding visitors and handing out our info about the Oct. 28 Zoning Board meeting. Neumann and NLTA made a lot of new friends.
 

Well, anyone who was there knows...

the Maxwells Musical Benefit Show was a great SUCCESS!!! 

There was great art, a rousing speech by Tom, excellent performances, and a LOT of money raised. Estimated total is a little over $2000, which which go the the NLTA legal defense fund. Thanks to all to came out to show support and rock the house!

Check out some pics from the event: 

Photos by Mary Ann Farley

Photos by Mo Losantos

"Made in Hoboken" a showcase of our industrial members at Hoboken City Hall.