Hoboken, NJ – The Hoboken City Council may soon find itself facing a decision about Lackawanna Terminal.

According to a news release from Hoboken Councilman Mike DeFusco, he plans to introduce an ordinance that would "expedite temporary usable space" at the historic terminal. The proposed ordinance is being fleshed out in the council's southern development subcommittee and will be introduced to the full council in late spring, DeFusco stated.

"Having such a grand, centrally located, building sit underutilized as the legalities of the development process carry on is of no benefit to our community," DeFusco asserted. "We need to make it easy for business to thrive in downtown Hoboken and I believe with City Council support, our terminal can be the next Chelsea Market or Reading Terminal Market." According to DeFusco, the terminal's second floor is a "sprawling area" where artist galleries and a "European-style market" could exist.

In addition, the property's parking lot could be better served by food kiosks and green space, DeFusco said. "The redevelopment process takes a significant amount of time and I don't want our historic terminal to sit underutilized, potentially for decades, when we can make the building productive now," DeFusco stated.

Retail, art galleries and sidewalk kiosks are all permitted under the approved 2015 redevelopment plan, he added.

Built in 1907, Lackawanna Terminal is owned and operated by New Jersey Transit.