Flooding renews concerns over Hoboken infrastructure project
Maruflu says floodwaters came dangerously close to entering his business after just a few hours of rain.
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Business owners in Hoboken are questioning whether a major infrastructure project designed to reduce flooding is doing what it was intended to do after Saturday’s storms left parts of Madison Street underwater.
“Madison Street is the lowest point in Hoboken. So all the water comes here,” said Jefe Maruflu, owner of Jefferson Coffee Shop.
Maruflu says floodwaters came dangerously close to entering his business after just a few hours of rain.
“It was coming right to our door. And this is only two, three hours of raining and we’re in the dry season. It’s July and it’s summer. Imagine this happening in September and October, which is really the hurricane season,” he said.
The flooding comes after years of construction along Madison Street aimed at addressing chronic flooding issues in Northwest Hoboken.
The project, a partnership between the City of Hoboken and the North Hudson Sewerage Authority, includes replacing sewers and stormwater inlets, elevating portions of roadways, curbs and sidewalks, and upgrading water mains between 9th and 11th streets. The improvements are intended to direct rainfall into the sewer system and mitigate recurring flooding in the area.
The project was split into two phases after engineers identified conflicts with underground electrical infrastructure. Phase 1, which included electrical work near 10th Street, was completed in 2023. Phase 2 broke ground in the fall of 2024 and includes the sewer and roadway improvements.
However, Maruflu says Saturday’s flooding left him disappointed.
“The outcome we were expecting was great — no more flooding again. But it didn’t happen that way,” he said.
He says construction has already taken a financial toll on his business, cutting foot traffic in half during the work. Now, he worries flooding continues to discourage customers.
“I don’t see any change. All this major infrastructure project investment, almost like $5 million, hasn’t produced any result,” Maruflu said.
Maruflu is now hoping city officials will inspect the completed work and determine whether additional improvements are needed.
The City of Hoboken has not yet responded to News 12’s request for comment on Saturday’s flooding.
