For immediate release

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

Currently there are 30 businesses employing roughly 200 people which occupy three quarters of the space at Neumann Leathers. Fifty or so artists and musicians rent the remaining quarter. The complex is Hoboken’s oldest factory building, dating back to the 1870s, and stands as a reminder of the City’s Industrial Past. It is highlighted in the city’s revised Master Plan as a site for Historic Preservation, and with a major facelift could be a jewel at our southern portal. It is a link to our history and at the same time provides an element of diversity in an otherwise monotonous march of condo development.

The Neumann Leathers Tenants Association (NLTA) is crafting a Better Plan (to be presented soon) that would save most of the existing buildings and their current uses, and create a unique new public space with restaurants, cafes, shops, art gallery, a grocery store, and more in an inner courtyard or "piazza”.  New development, either residential or commercial would be built primarily in the existing parking lot.

Please download a copy of this flyer and distribute freely!

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.

Nineteen samples of concrete and wood were collected bydrilling holes in the floors and walls of various buildings, and the pulverizedmaterial was removed and sampled for various metals and other chemicals.  Like almost any building, never mind anold former industrial building, contaminants were found, including low-leveltraces of mercury. However, when pressed in cross examination, Langan’s expertwitness conceded that there was no imminent hazard either to workers in thebuilding or to the immediate neighbors. When asked to compare Neumann to the infamous Grand St. General Electric“mercury” building (which did need demolishing) he agreed there was “nocomparison.”

Without testing air samples it is impossible to truly assessthe meaning of any of  thistestimony.  In fact, Langan’sreport is more notable for what it doesn’t conclude than for what it does.  Enough data are collected to raise “concern”,but not enough to be conclusive. At this point the Langan report represents merely a scare tactic, not adefensible scientific argument. 

There will undoubtedly be remediation measures needed incertain areas.  Much has been madeof the fact that leather was once tanned here.  In fact, these activities were confined to a small area, andwhat’s more, nothing in the expert testimony had any tannery-specificreference. Many Old tanneries have been rehabbed. The contamination underportions of the buildings can readily be addressed without tearing them down. A“hotspot” in one location doesn’t mean you have to tear down the wholecomplex.  Unless, of course, thatis your intent going into the process. 

Dean Marchetto should stick to being a good architect andleave propaganda to the non-professionals.

Tom Newman, Neumann Leather Tenants Association 201-963-9108

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.

Hoboken's legendary music venue, Maxwell's (1039 Washington St., Hoboken, NJ, 201-653-1703), will play host in September to the largest fundraiser yet for the Neumann Leathers Tenants Association (NLTA), in an effort to save the city's last large arts complex from being demolished.

Click to download e-card (376kb PDF) 

The NLTA is comprised of over 100 artists, artisans and light industry, all located in the Neumann Leathers complex, which is currently under threat of complete demolition. As part of its efforts to save the site, the NLTA will soon present an alternative plan which saves most of the buildings and includes new construction in a feasible redevelopment.

• "Exhibit B" is an art opening of Neumann Leathers Artists at Maxwell's, Sept. 29 at 7 pm, which will feature abstract works. The show will run through October 17.
• A Musical Benefit performance at Maxwell's, also on Sept. 29th. Performers will include Matt Madly, Zilker, Five Dollar Priest, Outpost, and  Yo La Tengo Doors open at 7 p.m. and tickets are $25. 

Neumann artists who will be showing include:  

Mauro Altimura, Serena Bocchino, Jose Cifuentes, Santiago Cohen, Hiedi Curko, Bill Doherty, Jennifer Fanning, Mary Ann Farley, Danielle Frankenthal, Greg Letson, Roberta Melzl, John Patterson, Deborah Pohl, Mary Elizabeth Pratt, Jason Young.

Free draft beer and wine will be provided at the opening reception

from 7 pm to 8 pm.

Funds raised will support the NLTA's legal effort to beat back the current redevelopment plan.

Advance tickets for the Musical Benefit Show 

are available at: 

Download Neumann Artists at Maxwells e-card (pdf 376 kb)

Hoboken's legendary music venue, Maxwell's (1039 Washington St., Hoboken, NJ, 201-653-1703), will play host in September to the largest fundraiser yet for the Neumann Leathers Tenants Association (NLTA), in an effort to save the city's last large arts complex from being demolished.

Click to download e-card (376kb PDF) 

with full event details 

and distribute!

The NLTA is comprised of over 100 artists, artisans and light industry, all located in the Neumann Leathers complex, which is currently under threat of complete demolition. As part of its efforts to save the site, the NLTA will soon present an alternative plan which saves most of the buildings and includes new construction in a feasible redevelopment.