Downtown Paterson - Overview

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 College 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 320,000-square-foot (30,000 m2) shopping mall built at 301 Main Street. This project is about 75% leased and includes many national retailers such as Marshalls, Children's Place, Pay Half, GNC, Skechers Shoes, Pollo Campero, Nathan's as well as Fabian 8 Cinema, Planet 301 - Family Entertainment with arcades, bowling, laser tag, and party rooms for rent. PSE&G has a payment center on the Clark Street side of the mall. The mall also has over 600 indoor parking spots for customers and visitors.

Hamilton & Ward Steakhouse is located on 101 Ward Street at Center City. Rated Four Stars by the Wall Street Journal, Star Ledger, and the Daily News, it offers 28-day dry aged Prime steaks, a refined wine selection and event rooms that can seat up to 500 persons.

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.