Jersey City officials cut the ribbon on a revitalized 360-year-old Bergen Square this morning, with the parking lots now converted into a pedestrian plaza.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
“Our vision for Bergen Square is to build a usable outdoor public space in the heart of Journal Square for everyone to enjoy, with an important emphasis on the valuable role this area and Jersey City has played in our nation’s history going back thousands of years,” Mayor Steven Fulop said in a statement.
Situated along Bergen Avenue between McGinley Square and Journal Square, the redesigned public space boasts an area for community events, traffic safety upgrades, a newly planted 30-foot oak tree, and native greenery.
Additional improvements include 14 additional on-street parking spaces, improved traffic flow, public transit stops with bus shelters, native landscaping and green infrastructure, the relocation of school bus drop-off for P.S. 11 to Academy Street, the removal of surface parking lots while creating more parking opportunities, and historic signage.
“The Journal Square community has been working closely with the city for years to realize the redesign of Bergen Square, and we are all thrilled to have this ribbon cutting take place,” Journal Square Community Association History Committee Chair Dr. James Dievler added.
“In addition to being an ancient, critical crossroads for the native Leni Lenape for over a thousand years, Bergen Square is the first permanent European settlement in Jersey City and New Jersey. Since 1660 and before, Bergen Square has been the site of community exchange and cross-cultural interaction.”
In 2018, Mayor Fulop formed the Bergen Square Committee, launching an effort to strengthen the area’s historical identity and activate it as a vibrant public space.
As a result, this interdisciplinary vision became a reality through collaborative action involving city staff from the Department of Infrastructure (Engineering, Traffic, Transportation, Sustainability), Division of Planning, and Historic Preservation working together with the community.
The Journal Square Special Improvement District will partner with the city to clean and maintain the plaza amenities daily.
Chris Bernardo, who leads the Journal Square Special Improvement District, expressed excitement about the public investment in Bergen Square.
“The city’s commitment to developing open and accessible public spaces is on full display at the renovated Bergen Square plaza. The thoughtful design and amenities will enable us to program the space with activities for customers, residents, and students.”
A half mile from Bergen Square, the Fulop Administration is moving forward with plans to build a brand new three-acre Courthouse Park, which will soon be the first large park in Journal Square.
While there are no public parks currently within walking distance, a 30-foot tall oak tree was planted in the southeast quadrant of Bergen Square to establish immediate benefits of shade and greening the space.
“With the Bergen Square revitalization project, we are introducing outdoor recreational space to the rapidly growing Journal Square area with the creation of a welcoming public space that celebrates the past, present, and future of Jersey City,” concluded Department of Infrastructure Director Barkha Patel.