The Quality of Life Coalition (QLC) is exactly what its name implies. It is a coming together, a coalescing, of various groups and individuals concerned about the air, earth and water, about the density of development, the need for open space, the lack of parking, the flooding, and the host of difficulties that militate against a good and healthy living environment in this densely populated urban city.
The Hoboken streetscape and the city’s old and historic buildings are the charms that make Hoboken unique and desirable. Preservation of those gifts from the past is among the Coalition’s objectives in its continuing efforts to keep Hoboken as “a special place on the Hudson” as described by the Regional Plan Association (The Lower Hudson, RPA 1966).
The QLC was designated as a 501c3 organization by the Internal Revenue Service in 2006. As such, all contributions to the QLC are tax deductible.
The Hoboken streetscape and the city’s old and historic buildings are the charms that make Hoboken unique and desirable. Preservation of those gifts from the past is among the Coalition’s objectives in its continuing efforts to keep Hoboken as “a special place on the Hudson” as described by the Regional Plan Association (The Lower Hudson, RPA 1966).
The QLC was designated as a 501c3 organization by the Internal Revenue Service in 2006. As such, all contributions to the QLC are tax deductible.
What We’ve Done
- Hosted moderated candidates forums for municipal and school board elections, with questions submitted by the audience
- Succeeded in convincing New Jersey Transit (after a two-year effort) to move the route of the Hudson/Bergen Light Rail Line to the western side of Hoboken.
- Prevented construction of a new arena for the New Jersey Devils over the Erie Lackawanna train yards.
- Successfully defeated proposals for high-rise development on 1600 Park Avenue. The area is now designated as park space.
- Prevented building on the piers in north Hoboken in conjunction with the Fund for a Better Waterfront
- Fought mid-rise development proposals for 800 Jackson Street adjacent to the Hudson/Bergen Light Rail station
- Joined with Hoboken Parks in a court case regarding 900 Monroe.
- Partnered with the People for Open Government and succeeded in passing anti pay-to-play laws and other restrictive measures on developers in Hoboken.
- Protested the use of eminent domain on Grand Street
- Organized public meetings regarding Hoboken’s ownership of St. Mary’s Hospital (what is now the Hoboken University Medical Center).
- Attempted to save historic buildings at the Maxwell House site and the old Clam Broth House.
- Advocated at Zoning Board to preserve the historically significant buildings at the Neumann Leathers and Holy Innocents sites.
QLC Board Members
Meet the Hoboken Quality of Life Coalition board members. We welcome new members who are willing to make a commitment to getting involved in civic life, through public meetings, research and outreach to public officials. Each of us is involved in a number of local advocacy groups, such as the Fund for a Better Waterfront, the Hoboken Family Alliance and the Hoboken Historical Museum. QLC board members are expected to be non-partisan with regard to local elections, and take a leave of absence when they accept an official role in local political campaigns or political appointments to official boards.
The Coalition was initiated in 1999, incorporated in 2000 and granted 501c3 tax exempt status by the IRS in 2000.
Meet the Hoboken Quality of Life Coalition board members. We welcome new members who are willing to make a commitment to getting involved in civic life, through public meetings, research and outreach to public officials. Each of us is involved in a number of local advocacy groups, such as the Fund for a Better Waterfront, the Hoboken Family Alliance and the Hoboken Historical Museum. QLC board members are expected to be non-partisan with regard to local elections, and take a leave of absence when they accept an official role in local political campaigns or political appointments to official boards.
- Melissa Abernathy, Media relations and editorial consultant for nonprofits, small businesses and Fortune 100 companies; currently serves on the board of hob-art artists gallery and Hoboken Dog Association.
- Eduardo Gonzalez, CFA, analyst on Commodities fund at Wall street firm; board member of Elysian Charter School, member of Hoboken Family Alliance
- Ines Garcia Keim, union representative and board member of the Fund for a Better Waterfront
- Esther Milsted, attorney and Head of the Public Defender's office for Hoboken Municipal Court; serves on the Board of Directors of the Hoboken Library Foundation.
- Mary Kelly, retired attorney, Fortune 100 financial services company, board member of Elysian Charter School and Cape May Point Taxpayers' Association
- Helen Manogue, longtime civic activist who founded QLC Hoboken in 1999 after working with the Environment Committee in the 1980s to advocate for a cleaner, more livable city. Also serves as a board member for the Hudson River Waterfront Conservancy. She is a retired bank examiner.
- Shelby Smith, CRM Marketer and Inter-group Relations Facilitator, currently attending Columbia University to pursue her Master's in Urban Planning.
- Tom Chartier, P.E., LEED-accredited, licensed professional engineer, specializing in energy efficient and sustainable building design
The Coalition was initiated in 1999, incorporated in 2000 and granted 501c3 tax exempt status by the IRS in 2000.