New York Waterway, the operator of a commuter ferry service on the Hudson, bought the site last year for about $11.5 million with a plan to move its maintenance facility there from neighboring Weehawken. But Mr. Bhalla made it clear that the city wanted to turn the property into a park that would connect the string of public spaces along the waterfront.

One way for the ferry company to block Hoboken from taking the land was to sell it to a state agency and lease it back since the city would not be able to seize property from the state. But that plan fell apart in the final days of the Christie administration and appeared to have no support from Mr. Murphy.

Mr. Murphy then released a statement that said that “giving away millions of dollars on the way out the door, when the current system isn’t even adequately funded, is simply irresponsible.” Mr. Murphy has called the transit agency a “national disgrace” and promised to increase its funding.

But on Thursday, a spokeswoman for Mr. Murphy said in a statement: “The governor’s office continues to coordinate with all parties involved to determine an ultimate solution that both respects the voices of the local community and the needs of one of our most vital transportation partners. The governor is taking appropriate steps to make sure that commuters are not negatively impacted during efforts to find a long- term solution.”

A spokesman for Mr. Bhalla said the mayor was trying to persuade Mr. Murphy not to approve the purchase. “The mayor remains committed to a contiguous waterfront,” said the spokesman, Santiago Melli-Huber.