On July 11, 2022 in Jersey City, New Jersey, Mayor Steven M. Fulop joined the City Council, the Historic Downtown Special Improvement District, and community members for an official ribbon-cutting.
The event was in celebration of completing $7 million in renovations designed to revitalize the Newark Avenue Pedestrian Plaza.
It also gives permanency to the al fresco, pedestrian-oriented “restaurant row” that arose in the wake of the COVID crisis. Together these efforts hope to create one of New Jersey’s premier destinations for shopping, dining, and community events.
Upgrades include an outdoor concert stage for community events, bike racks, benches, planters with built-in seating, tree plantings, and leveling of the street to remove curb drop-off for safer stroller and wheelchair accessibility.
The finished Newark Pedestrian Plaza on July 10, 2022. Photo by Jennifer Brown/City of Jersey City
“Today’s ribbon-cutting is the final piece to accomplishing a permanent, community-driven pedestrian mall that boosts local business, attracts investment, and, most importantly, establishes a premier location to foster community with various free public events throughout the year, weekly entertainment on the new concert stage, and daily foot traffic where residents and visitors can enjoy all the plaza has to offer,” he added.
A stage area has been constructed for regular live music and performances that will be free and open to everyone.
Granite pavers have replaced the original painted green asphalt and elevated the street level to match the sidewalk for a more cohesive structure with better stroller and wheelchair accessibility.
Decorative trench drains now line both sides of the plaza alongside rain garden tree planters and café lighting for improved visibility. Dozens of tree plantings, underground utility work, drainage elements, and other green infrastructure elements will also help with stormwater absorption and beautification throughout the area.
To create a more aesthetically pleasing environment throughout the plaza, additional permanent structures installed include:
- 24 new trees planted
- 20 planter boxes with shrubs and landscaping
- 14 large square planters with built-in seating under trees
- 30 recycling and garbage combination units
- 16 bike racks
- 40 Benches
“Today marks the culmination of many years of hard work. The pedestrian mall has become a vital point in the area, and I couldn’t be happier,” added Rachel Sieg, Executive Director of the Historic Downtown Special Improvement District.
“From holding meetings with business owners to fielding calls from property owners and City officials, this process was not easy but so worth it. I feel an immense sense of pride and accomplishment with the conclusion of this project, and I hope that visitors and residents of Jersey City will enjoy the Mall for many years to come,” she continued.
The Pedestrian Mall was first closed to vehicles in 2015 as a pilot program to limit traffic and create a pedestrian destination. The plaza was expanded to a second block in 2018.
During the COVID-19 crisis, the plaza was lengthened to Grove Street between Montgomery Street and Christopher Columbus Drive, as well as 1st Street and Newark Avenue. The expanded outdoor capacity helped restaurants and small businesses stay afloat and safely reopen sooner.
“It was important to us on the City level that our design incorporated the community’s input, and we are proud of the finished product seen here today. The new plaza delivers rich elements that have a cohesive feel. The environment is unique and creates an aesthetic oasis of open space in a busy city for all to enjoy for decades to come,” said Paul Russo, Director of Engineering.
The Newark Avenue Pedestrian Plaza upgrade comes after two other major investments in main streets throughout Jersey City on Central Avenue and West Side Avenue.
“Restaurant and business owners have been through a lot the past two years, and knowing that the Mayor is pro-business and always has our backs has allowed many of us to keep our doors open for business. Thanks to the City’s support, we have a thriving corridor of shops and restaurants that attracts local residents and visitors alike. By making this a permanent plaza, we can further demonstrate that we remain open for business and all are welcome,” said Kenny Caulfield, Co-owner of The Ashford.
Each project incorporates community input to focus not only on beautification and functionality, but also on the unseen aspects such as stormwater absorption to mitigate flooding and other environmental enhancements.
“Now that the finishing pieces are in place, the excitement about the plaza improvements can really be felt. People are using the space as it was designed to be enjoyed, and these welcomed upgrades are being completed just in time for Jersey City Restaurant Week starting next week, July 17-31!” said Carmen Mendiola, President of the Jersey City Restaurant Association.
The City hosted multiple community meetings to garner public input and incorporate feedback throughout the redesign.
Photos courtesy of the Office of the Jersey City Mayor.