Downtown Paterson
Encyclopedia
Downtown Paterson is the main commercial district of Paterson, New Jersey
and was once a shopping mecca for the northern part of the state. Downtown Paterson is bounded by Straight Street on the east, I-80
, NJ 19, Oliver Street and Spruce Street on the south, the Passaic River
, West Broadway, Cliff Street, North 3rd Street, Haledon Avenue and the border with Prospect Park on the west and the Passaic River to the north.
and Paterson Broadway Bus Terminal are to the northeast.
As with many other old downtown districts in the United States, Downtown Paterson suffered as shoppers and retailers moved to the suburban shopping malls of the region. However, Downtown Paterson is currently managed by a Special Improvement District (www.shoppaterson.org). Since the SID's inception in 1997, the Downtown Paterson central business district, comprising over 300 properties, has improved dramatically. Store front vacancies came down significantly, although due to today's down economy, the district is facing a 3-4% vacancy rate. Several new shop owners have begun to update their storefronts as well and invest in the beutification and modern layouts of their stores. For the most part, Downtown retailers are "mom and pop" retailers who employee local residents. Through the SID, the Businesses and Merchants of Downtown Paterson participate in many City activities with sponsorships such as the Great Falls Festival. Downtown retailers are the primary sponsor of the City's Annual 4th of July
Fireworks show, one of Norther New Jersey's largest. Additionally, the SID plans and implements several events throughout the year, which take place in Downtown Paterson. Downtown SID employees, supplement the cleaning and safety services of the City by maintaining a "Clean and Safe" staff. These men and women, who are primarily from Paterson rid the sidewalks of litter, remove graffiti within 48 hours of being reported, and act as a neighborhood watch. They also provide directions and helpful information distribution to patrons of the shopping district.
In addition, Downtown Paterson is an Urban Enterprise Zone
, which means that participating stores sell merchandise at 3.5% sales tax, instead of the State of NJ 7% sales tax. The UEZ, also invested greatly in Downtown Paterson and the entire stretch of Main Street, with a beautification project. New street furniture such as benches, garbage cans, newspaper kiosks, bus shelters, clocks, bike racks, and more have been installed, all to make the shopping district more pleasant.
Downtown Paterson's newest attraction, is Center City, which is a 320000 square feet (29,729 m²) shopping mall built at 301 Main Street. This project is about 75% leased and includes many national retailers such as Children's Place, AJ Wright, Pay Half, Coffee Beanery, and more. On the mall's third floor, is Space Port, a member-only, Family Fun destination with arcades, bowling, laser tag, paintless paintball, and party rooms for rent. On the Clark Street side of Center City, they are currently building an 8-plex Cinema, and in the center of the Mall on the third floor is the food court. On the Ward Street side, a Steak house is slated to soon open. Under this mall, there are 1,000 parking spaces on two levels.
Located on Van Houten Street you will find a massive Mosque, Masjid Jalalabad, which can accommodate 1,500 worshippers. Next to the mosque is a Bengali ethnic store where one can find Halal meat, fish, Bengali groceries and more.
40°55′2"N 74°10′21"W, Paterson City Hall
at 155 Market Street
40°55′0"N 74°10′19"W was added to the National Register of Historic Places
on February 12, 1999.Public School Number Two
at Mill and Passaic Streets.
40°54′55"N 74°10′38"WThe area near the u-shape Spruce Street and McBride Avenue is part of a redevelopment area of the Great Falls Historic District. The northern section of Ellison and Mill Streets, which are downriver from the falls are also part of this area and are usually considered part of Downtown.
, considered the first neighborhood of Paterson, was built up around the mills near Great Falls
. The area, which is responsible for the early growth of Paterson, has a rich history and has had a diverse and changing ethnic makeup. Originally settled by Irish
immigrants, the neighborhood has seen waves of English
, Italians and more recently Hispanic immigrants. The Dublin area today incorporates parts of Great Falls Historic District and the area on Market Street, which has a large Peru
vian and Argentine
population today.
is the northern section of downtown, north of Broadway and to the east of the Passaic River. Wrigley Park is a predominately African-American community and is mostly residential. The area is considered to be one of the more dangerous sections of Paterson along with areas of The Northside
, although the crime-rate has declined gradual in recent years.
is a mostly residential neighborhood on the north bank of the Passaic River. The neighborhood stretches back to Paterson's borders with Haledon
and Prospect Park
. The neighborhoods on this side of the river are up a steep hill that gives many of the houses and streets in the northside great views of Manhattan
.
Paterson, New Jersey
Paterson is a city serving as the county seat of Passaic County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, its population was 146,199, rendering it New Jersey's third largest city and one of the largest cities in the New York City Metropolitan Area, despite a decrease of 3,023...
and was once a shopping mecca for the northern part of the state. Downtown Paterson is bounded by Straight Street on the east, I-80
Interstate 80
Interstate 80 is the second-longest Interstate Highway in the United States, following Interstate 90. It is a transcontinental artery running from downtown San Francisco, California to Teaneck, New Jersey in the New York City Metropolitan Area...
, NJ 19, Oliver Street and Spruce Street on the south, the Passaic River
Passaic River
The Passaic River is a mature surface river, approximately 80 mi long, in northern New Jersey in the United States. The river in its upper course flows in a highly circuitous route, meandering through the swamp lowlands between the ridge hills of rural and suburban northern New Jersey,...
, West Broadway, Cliff Street, North 3rd Street, Haledon Avenue and the border with Prospect Park on the west and the Passaic River to the north.
Overview
After a devastating fire in 1902, the city rebuilt the downtown with massive Beaux-Arts-style buildings, many of which remain to this day. These buildings are usually four to seven stories tall. Downtown Paterson is home to City Hall and the Passaic County Courthouse Annex, two of the city's architectural landmarks. City Hall was designed by the New York firm Carrere and Hastings in 1894 and is modeled after the Hôtel de Ville (city hall) in Lyon, France, capital of the silk industry in Europe. Passaic County Community CollegePassaic County Community College
Passaic County Community College is an accredited, co-educational, two-year, public, community college located in Passaic County, New Jersey. The school's main campus is located in Paterson. The Wanaque Academic Center is located in Wanaque, has over 1,000 students. The Public Safety Academy is...
and Paterson Broadway Bus Terminal are to the northeast.
As with many other old downtown districts in the United States, Downtown Paterson suffered as shoppers and retailers moved to the suburban shopping malls of the region. However, Downtown Paterson is currently managed by a Special Improvement District (www.shoppaterson.org). Since the SID's inception in 1997, the Downtown Paterson central business district, comprising over 300 properties, has improved dramatically. Store front vacancies came down significantly, although due to today's down economy, the district is facing a 3-4% vacancy rate. Several new shop owners have begun to update their storefronts as well and invest in the beutification and modern layouts of their stores. For the most part, Downtown retailers are "mom and pop" retailers who employee local residents. Through the SID, the Businesses and Merchants of Downtown Paterson participate in many City activities with sponsorships such as the Great Falls Festival. Downtown retailers are the primary sponsor of the City's Annual 4th of July
Independence Day (United States)
Independence Day, commonly known as the Fourth of July, is a federal holiday in the United States commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, declaring independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain...
Fireworks show, one of Norther New Jersey's largest. Additionally, the SID plans and implements several events throughout the year, which take place in Downtown Paterson. Downtown SID employees, supplement the cleaning and safety services of the City by maintaining a "Clean and Safe" staff. These men and women, who are primarily from Paterson rid the sidewalks of litter, remove graffiti within 48 hours of being reported, and act as a neighborhood watch. They also provide directions and helpful information distribution to patrons of the shopping district.
In addition, Downtown Paterson is an Urban Enterprise Zone
Urban Enterprise Zone
In the United States, Urban Enterprise Zones , also known as Enterprise Zones, are intended to encourage development in blighted neighborhoods through tax and regulatory relief to entrepreneurs and investors who launch businesses in the area. UEZs are areas where companies can locate free of...
, which means that participating stores sell merchandise at 3.5% sales tax, instead of the State of NJ 7% sales tax. The UEZ, also invested greatly in Downtown Paterson and the entire stretch of Main Street, with a beautification project. New street furniture such as benches, garbage cans, newspaper kiosks, bus shelters, clocks, bike racks, and more have been installed, all to make the shopping district more pleasant.
Downtown Paterson's newest attraction, is Center City, which is a 320000 square feet (29,729 m²) shopping mall built at 301 Main Street. This project is about 75% leased and includes many national retailers such as Children's Place, AJ Wright, Pay Half, Coffee Beanery, and more. On the mall's third floor, is Space Port, a member-only, Family Fun destination with arcades, bowling, laser tag, paintless paintball, and party rooms for rent. On the Clark Street side of Center City, they are currently building an 8-plex Cinema, and in the center of the Mall on the third floor is the food court. On the Ward Street side, a Steak house is slated to soon open. Under this mall, there are 1,000 parking spaces on two levels.
Located on Van Houten Street you will find a massive Mosque, Masjid Jalalabad, which can accommodate 1,500 worshippers. Next to the mosque is a Bengali ethnic store where one can find Halal meat, fish, Bengali groceries and more.
CBD
The Central Business District of Paterson is the area between the Dublin area and Wrigley Park, closest to the Passaic River. The areas along Market Street and Main Street are some of the busiest and largest commercial districts in Paterson and have a diverse ethnic makeup with a large Dominican, Puerto Rican, and Mexican population.Historic Districts
Many places that are on the National Register of Historic Places listings in Passaic County, New Jersey are located in Paterson, and several are located Downtown including Paterson Downtown Commercial Historic District, roughly bounded by Patterson, Ward and Gross Sts., and Hamilton Ave.40°55′2"N 74°10′21"W, Paterson City Hall
Paterson City Hall
Paterson City Hall, is located in Paterson, New Jersey. The building was built in 1896 and was added to the National Register of Historic Places on March 10, 1995. City Hall was designed by the New York firm Carrere and Hastings in 1894, and is modeled after the Hôtel de Ville in Lyon, France,...
at 155 Market Street
40°55′0"N 74°10′19"W was added to the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
on February 12, 1999.Public School Number Two
Public School Number Two
Public School Number Two is located in Paterson, New Jersey. The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places on March 8, 1978.-References:...
at Mill and Passaic Streets.
40°54′55"N 74°10′38"WThe area near the u-shape Spruce Street and McBride Avenue is part of a redevelopment area of the Great Falls Historic District. The northern section of Ellison and Mill Streets, which are downriver from the falls are also part of this area and are usually considered part of Downtown.
Dublin Area
DublinDublin, Paterson
Dublin is a former neighborhood in Paterson, New Jersey that makes up Little Lima and Little Italy today. Dublin was Paterson's first distinct neighborhood that grew up around the mills along the east bank of the Passaic River in Downtown Paterson...
, considered the first neighborhood of Paterson, was built up around the mills near Great Falls
Great Falls of the Passaic River
The Great Falls of the Passaic River is a prominent waterfall, high, on the Passaic River in the city of Paterson in Passaic County in northern New Jersey in the United States. The Congress authorized its establishment as a National Historical Park in 2009...
. The area, which is responsible for the early growth of Paterson, has a rich history and has had a diverse and changing ethnic makeup. Originally settled by Irish
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
immigrants, the neighborhood has seen waves of English
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
, Italians and more recently Hispanic immigrants. The Dublin area today incorporates parts of Great Falls Historic District and the area on Market Street, which has a large Peru
Peru
Peru , officially the Republic of Peru , is a country in western South America. It is bordered on the north by Ecuador and Colombia, on the east by Brazil, on the southeast by Bolivia, on the south by Chile, and on the west by the Pacific Ocean....
vian and Argentine
Argentina
Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
population today.
Wrigley Park
Wrigley ParkWrigley Park
Wrigley Park is a neighborhood in Paterson NJ. The neighborhood is mostly African-American. The neighborhood is also called Fourth Ward by many Patersonians. It is an area that has suffered from years of poverty, crime, and neglect. Poverty, crime, open-air drug markets, vacant lots, and...
is the northern section of downtown, north of Broadway and to the east of the Passaic River. Wrigley Park is a predominately African-American community and is mostly residential. The area is considered to be one of the more dangerous sections of Paterson along with areas of The Northside
Northside, Paterson
Northside is a neighborhood in Paterson NJ. It includes the entire area of downtown north of the Passaic River. It suffers from some of the social problems currently facing the Wrigley Park neighborhood but to a lesser extent. This neighborhood borders Haledon and Prospect Park and it is known...
, although the crime-rate has declined gradual in recent years.
The Northside
NorthsideNorthside, Paterson
Northside is a neighborhood in Paterson NJ. It includes the entire area of downtown north of the Passaic River. It suffers from some of the social problems currently facing the Wrigley Park neighborhood but to a lesser extent. This neighborhood borders Haledon and Prospect Park and it is known...
is a mostly residential neighborhood on the north bank of the Passaic River. The neighborhood stretches back to Paterson's borders with Haledon
Haledon, New Jersey
Haledon is a borough in Passaic County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 8,318.Haledon was incorporated as a borough by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on April 8, 1908, replacing the now-defunct Manchester Township, based on the...
and Prospect Park
Prospect Park, New Jersey
Prospect Park is a borough in Passaic County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2000 Census, the borough population was 5,779....
. The neighborhoods on this side of the river are up a steep hill that gives many of the houses and streets in the northside great views of Manhattan
Manhattan
Manhattan is the oldest and the most densely populated of the five boroughs of New York City. Located primarily on the island of Manhattan at the mouth of the Hudson River, the boundaries of the borough are identical to those of New York County, an original county of the state of New York...
.
See also
- Paterson ArmoryPaterson ArmoryThe Paterson Armory, an unused armory in Paterson, New Jersey, was formerly a facility of the New Jersey National Guard and an arena. The building at 461-473 Market Street is in a state of disrepair, though studies are underway to determine viability of future use.-Architecture and history:Paterson...
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Passaic County, New Jersey