Why We Love Our Queen City
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Dear
Friend,
There are numerous reasons to love our Queen City. We can point to our rich historical past and culture. We can tout our diverse and eclectic mix of residents from all over the world, that bring pieces of their customs and lifestyles to share with us here. There are those who love it because they were born and raised here, and they feel an intense connection. My love of the Queen City is an amalgamation of all these things, but most of all, I love the people. I have made many wonderful friends over the past forty (40) years, and I've seen many examples of the warmth and resilience of the people who live here. This inner strength is what embodies, and epitomizes the best of Plainfield.
When I moved to this city over 40 years ago, I had no idea what the future held. I was an immigrant, overflowing with excitement at the possibilities that lay ahead. With little to go on except a desire to succeed and a lot of ambition, there was something about Plainfield that felt like home. It was comfortable, and I felt safe here. I knew that this was where I wanted to settle, raise my family, and make a difference in whatever way I could.
Our city of Plainfield is a place that gets under your skin and never let's go. From its rich history and culture to stunning architecture, majestic homes, and tree-lined streets, it speaks to an era from long ago and invokes a sense of pride.
Like every well-rounded city, there is also another side to Plainfield. We have grown into a city of diversity with a delightful mix of urban and suburban living. There is much to love about the fantastic choices of cuisine from around the world that's available here.
There cannot be just one reason why we love our Queen City so much; it's a million little things that make one big emotion. Our city has been through many changes throughout the years, going from a bustling economy when residents of neighboring towns came to shop here, to a time of stagnation and hardship. We evolved yet again to rise from this situation to a place of resurgence and hope. Our resilience and strength has helped us through some difficult times and brought us out on the other side with new energy, and greater determination. Our people care for each other and find countless ways to give back, to mentor, to lift, and support each other. This is the Plainfield way.
We never lose hope, we never stop dreaming, and we never stop fighting. We've battled through a time of zero interest from investors to have three-quarters of a billion dollars active in our city. We've hit back hard against crime and lowered it dramatically by well over fifty percent (50%). We've found mobility solutions for residents challenged by moving around our city. We've taken unemployment from a high of over thirteen percent (13%) to a low of three-point six percent (3.6%). We've found out of the box solutions. When others said we could not, we said "watch and see," and we did it over and over again, because that's the Plainfield way, and that is who we are. I love our city and everyone who makes it great. We are the Queen City; undiminished, unbroken, unapologetic, and we will always proudly wear our crown!
Creating One Plainfield. One Future
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Razones Para Amar a la Ciudad Reina
Querido Plainfield,
Hay muchas razones de amar a nuestra ciudad reina. Podemos hablar de nuestra riqueza histórica y cultural. También podemos hablar de nuestra diversidad y la mezcla ecléctica de nuestros residentes que vienen de todos puntos del mundo que traen pedazos de sus costumbres y modas de vida aquí con nosotros. Hay algunos que aman a Plainfield porque nacieron y se criaron aquí, y sienten una gran conexión con la ciudad. El amor que yo le tengo a la ciudad es una combinación de todas estas cosas, pero más que todo, yo amo a la gente. He hecho muchos grandes amigos en estos últimos 40 años, y he visto ejemplos de cariño y resiliencia para las personas que viven aquí. La fuerza innata es lo que encarna y epitomiza lo mejor de Plainfield.
Cuando yo me mude a esta ciudad hace 40 años, yo no tuve idea de lo que me esperaba en el futuro. Yo era un inmigrante y la felicidad se me sobrepasaba por todas las posibilidades que me esperaban. Con poquito con que seguir excepto al deseo de triunfar y mucha ambición, había algo de Plainfield que se sentía como casa. Era cómodo, y me sentía seguro aquí. Yo supe que era aquí que yo quiera estar, criar a mi familia, y hacer una diferencia de cualquier manera que yo podía.
Nuestra ciudad de Plainfield es un lugar que se mete debajo de tu piel y jamás te deja. Desde la cultura e historia rica hasta la arquitectura casas majestosas, y calles bordeadas de árboles, habla de una era desde hace mucho e invoca orgullo.
Como todas las ciudades bien redondeadas, también hay otro lado de Plainfield. Nos hemos convertido en una ciudad de diversidad con una deliciosa mezcla de vida urbana y suburbana. Hay mucho que amar sobre las fantásticas opciones de cocina de todo el mundo que están disponibles aquí.
No puede haber una sola razón por que amamos tanto a nuestra Ciudad Reina; Es un millón de pequeñas cosas que hacen una gran emoción. Nuestra ciudad ha experimentado muchos cambios a lo largo de los años, pasando de una economía bulliciosa cuando los residentes de las ciudades vecinas vinieron a comprar aquí, a un momento de estancamiento y dificultades. Evolucionamos una vez más para pasar de esta situación a un lugar de resurgimiento y esperanza. Nuestra capacidad de recuperación y fortaleza nos ha ayudado a superar algunos momentos difíciles y nos ha llevado al otro lado con nueva energía y una mayor determinación. Nuestra gente se cuida y encuentra innumerables maneras de retribuirse, ser mentores, levantarse y apoyarse mutuamente. Este es el camino de Plainfield.
Nunca perdemos la esperanza, nunca dejamos de soñar y nunca dejamos de pelear. Hemos luchado durante un tiempo de cero intereses de los inversores para tener tres cuartos de mil millones de dólares activos en nuestra ciudad. Hemos respondido con dureza contra el crimen y lo hemos reducido dramáticamente en más del cincuenta por ciento (50%). Hemos encontrado soluciones de movilidad para residentes desafiados al moverse por nuestra ciudad. Hemos llevado el desempleo de un máximo de más del trece por ciento (13%) a un mínimo de tres puntos y seis por ciento (3.6%). Hemos encontrado soluciones listas para usar. Cuando otros dijeron que no podíamos, dijimos "mirar y ver", y lo hicimos una y otra vez, porque esa es la forma de Plainfield, y eso es lo que somos. Amo a nuestra ciudad y a todos los que la hacen genial. Somos la ciudad reina; ¡no disminuido, sin complejos, y siempre llevaremos con orgullo nuestra corona!
Creando Un Plainfield. Un Futuro
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A Conversation with Your Congresswoman
Bonnie Watson Coleman
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This past Monday evening, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson-Coleman held a community event at the Plainfield Senior Center. Mayor Adrian O. Mapp, Members of the City Council and Administration along with Assemblywoman Linda Carter and Union County Freeholder Rebecca Williams welcomed her to the Queen City.
Her focus for the meeting was to share information and clear up any misconceptions that voters may have from current affairs to pending bills. A range of topics were discussed including legislation passed by the House of Representatives that have yet to be voted on by the Senate. These included:
- Pre-existing health conditions and affordable health care
- The Right to Vote
- Violence Against Women
- $15 Minimum Wage
- Equality Act to end Discrimination against the LGBTQ+ Community
- Gun Control
- SALT tax
The Congresswoman did not shy away from the difficult topics like criminal justice reform, affordable health care and the high cost of prescription drugs along with making the voting process easier. Congresswoman Watson Coleman tasked the audience to get out and vote and encourage others to do the same.
"Government is changed incrementally and government was conceived for, of and by the people, and we are they," said Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman.
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Ribbon Cutting for Quin Sleepy Hollow
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Yesterday, October 3, 2019, Quin Sleepy Hollow held its ribbon cutting event, marking a milestone for the City of Plainfield’s economic development and opening the doors for residents new and old. “Luxury meets comfort” in the new residential community which offers fitness amenities, bike-sharing, and the ease of the nearby Netherwood Train Station for those who choose to work or play in the big city.
The goal of the Quin Sleepy Hollow was to create a positive impact on the Plainfield community. Development has been well underway with projects such as the South Second Street Youth Center, Access Self Storage, the Station at Grant Avenue, and more; it’s obvious the transformations that take place when community works closely with developers.
During his remarks, Mayor Adrian O. Mapp said, “This project was a demonstration of the confidence that investors now have in Plainfield, and this is the largest development project of this kind ever in this city, and so to have the infusion of over 50 million dollars in capital in our city is something that speaks well to Plainfield, and this is a harbinger of what is to come.”
Mayor Adrian O. Mapp continues to share the message that Plainfield is a very business-friendly city and that together with the administration and council, that message will help us move towards the envisioned Plainfield renaissance.
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Above image source: CAHN Communications
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Community Workshops for Plainfield's
New Master Plan
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You are invited to attend one of the upcoming community workshops as the City is developing a new Master Plan. Your input is invaluable as we continue moving this great city forward - "One Plainfield, One Future".
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In response to citizen’s requests for the administration to explain what ‘redevelopment ‘ is all about, on October 1, from 6-8pm at the Plainfield High School, Economic Development Director Valerie Jackson and Planning Director Bill Nierstedt presented a short explanatory slide show and answered citizen’s questions in a very open and far ranging community meeting.
While many residents were specifically concerned about the proposed redevelopment study for an area south of the Downtown Train Station, Director Jackson urged everyone who had specific questions about that redevelopment to attend the Thursday, October 3 Planning Board meeting where a public hearing was scheduled to hear citizen input on that request. She explained that neither she nor Bill could discuss that matter specifically as it is currently under review by the Board.
Director Jackson explained that the general purpose of redevelopment is to t
ransform an area that satisfies at least one (of eight) criteria established by redevelopment law – such as containing underutilized, distressed, unsafe, unsanitary or dilapidated structures; abandoned buildings, factors that are detrimental to the safety, health, morals, or welfare of a community, or areas within designated Urban Enterprise Zones into an economically viable and productive area that improves the tax base and local economy.
Working in tandem, Directors Jackson and Nierstedt explained that the redevelopment process is broken down into two steps- the study phase and the plan phase, and that both steps require actions of and notice by the Planning Board ad City Council. The city currently has over one dozen redevelopment studies and/or plans in various stages. They run from those adopted from 2000- 2005 including the Park-Madison, Tepper’s, Marino’s, North Avenue and the 197 Scattered Site Plan to the more current South Avenue Gateway, and North and South Avenue Netherwood Transit Oriented development Areas. Most of the redevelopment plans are centered on the Downtown and Netherwood train stations, where the city master plan encourages mixed use commercial/residential redevelopment.
Answering questions ranging from the plan encouragement of gentrifications, to the provision of affordable housing within the plans, to the selection of developers (now that redevelopment project construction is visible to all, the city is receiving more inquiries than ever before from potential redevelopers), Directors Jackson and Nierstedt hope that those who attended have a better understanding of what redevelopment can mean to the city and why the city is advancing more rapidly.
The administration welcomes additional input into the planning and redevelopment process by reminding everyone that four master plan workshops have been scheduled – one in each ward – and asking everyone to please make their concerns and goals for the city known attending and participating in the redevelopment process.
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Plainfield's Very Own Symphony Celebrates
100 Musical Years!
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The Plainfield Symphony Orchestra is celebrating its 100th season this month and is the longest-running community orchestra in the state.
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Plainfield Census 2020 Presents Census 101
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Important Note:
Please be aware that Census 2020 canvassers are in the field and currently verifying residential addresses submitted last year.
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State Grants for Non-Profits:
The State of New Jersey is awarding grants to non-profits looking to get involved in increasing the Census 2020 participation rates.
The deadline is October 31
. If you represent a non-profit or are aware of an organization planning to participate in increasing the count please pass along this information and link.
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Interesting Plainfield Fact
No. 51
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The first trolley (electric streetcar) came to town on August 10, 1892 replacing most of the mule-drawn vehicles. A front page Plainfield Evening News article describes a large crowd of people lining up along Front Street to witness its maiden voyage. "The car is handsome, but small, and is finished in Royal Blue."
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The West Fourth Street Trolley No. 229 in 1906
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The United States Census Bureau is Hiring
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The Census Bureau will be hiring thousands of people throughout the country to update the address list for the 2020 Census. Since March 4th, more than 170,000 recruits have already completed their job applications and 800 individuals have been hired. This massive hiring is due to the vital undertaking that the US Census undergoes every 10 years: working in the office and on the field to make sure all individuals and all addresses are accounted for. An accurate census assures that there are enough representatives in government and that residents receive an appropriate amount of funds for health care, education, and other vital systems. If you or anyone you know may be interested, please click the link below and follow instructions under "Easy To Apply":
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La Oficina del Censo contratará a miles de personas en todo el país para actualizar la lista de direcciones para el Censo de 2020. Desde el 4 de marzo, más de 170,000 reclutas ya han completado sus solicitudes de trabajo y 800 personas han sido contratadas. Esta contratación masiva se debe a la tarea vital que el Censo de EE. UU. realiza cada 10 años: trabajar en la oficina y en el campo para asegurarse de que todas las personas y todas las direcciones estén registradas. Un censo preciso garantiza que haya suficientes representantes en el gobierno y que los residentes reciban una cantidad adecuada de fondos para la atención médica, la educación y otros sistemas vitales. Si usted o alguien que conoce pueden estar interesados, haga clic en al link y siga las instrucciones en "Easy To Apply."
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Register to Vote by Tuesday, October 15
to Participate in the November 5 Election
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UNION COUNTY, NJ
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Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi reminds Union County residents who are not registered to vote that they have until Tuesday, October 15 to register in time for the upcoming General Election and School Board Election on November 5.
Voters who need a Vote-by-Mail ballot can also use the County Clerk’s elections website or mobile app to request a Vote-By-Mail application form.
In addition, the Union County Board of Elections will be open on Tuesday, October 15 from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. for any voter who would like to register to vote in person. The office is located at 271 North Broad Street in Elizabeth.
Voters can call the Union County Board of Elections at 908-527-4123 to request a registration form or to get assistance with any other question about voting. Each municipal clerk’s office also has voter registration forms available.
To register, a voter must be a citizen of the United States and at least 18 years old by Election Day. They must not be serving a sentence, probation, or parole because of a felony conviction, and they must be a resident of New Jersey and Union County for at least 30 days.
For more information about all County Clerk programs and services, visit online at
ucnj.org/county-clerk
or call 908-527-4787.
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Governor Murphy Marks One-Year Anniversary of Economic Plan
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Announces New Initiatives and Recaps Year’s Accomplishments
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GLASSBORO, NJ
– Governor Phil Murphy today touted his Administration’s economic successes over the past year as he marked the one-year anniversary of the release of his sweeping
economic vision
with a one-on-one discussion with New Jersey Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors Chairwoman Linda Bowden at Rowan University.
“In the year since I announced my economic vision for New Jersey, we have made substantial progress in making our state both stronger and fairer for everyone,”
Governor Murphy said
. “Although we have made progress, we still have more work to do. We are hard at work attracting businesses to our state, beyond a narrow focus on excessive corporate tax incentives. We must continue to find ways to realize New Jersey’s potential as a hub for business activity, as well as a fantastic place to raise a family.”
During the one-hour armchair discussion, Governor Murphy announced the following recent updates and enhancements to his economic program:
- The creation of the Business First Stop web portal – This portal allows anyone interested in starting or expanding their business in New Jersey to get the answers they need. First Stop was created based on direct feedback from the business community. The beta site can be viewed at Business.NJ.gov, and the Administration is taking real-time user data and feedback to improve the site on a rolling basis. The Administration will also launch a Spanish language version in the next few months to reach the broadest group of entrepreneurs possible.
- Awarding a $3 million contract for a new business marketing campaign –This campaign will create extraordinary opportunities to pitch New Jersey as a location ripe for families to set down roots, visit, and start a business.
- Expansion of the Film Tax Credit – Based on interest since the Film and Digital Media Tax Credit was enacted last year, the Administration will seek to expand not just the amount of money available, but also extend the life of the program.
- Exploring new funding mechanisms and property redevelopment to catalyze transit-oriented development – An Administration-wide effort to explore developing under-utilized properties can bolster transit-oriented development and optimize the value of assets across the state. The Administration is exploring ways to work with municipalities and business leaders to finance the redevelopment of mass transit stations and their surrounding areas in order to add substantial revenue to local coffers for critical capital improvements to transit stations, as well as pedestrian accessibility in and around these hubs of economic activity.
In his update on the state of New Jersey’s economy, the Governor touted multiple achievements over the past year, including:
- Introduced tuition-free community college through the Community College Opportunity Grant program.
- Created the New Jersey Apprenticeship Network, which has provided more than $7 million in grants that will fund training for over 1,200 apprentices and pre-apprentices.
- Built a nationally-recognized ecosystem for Opportunity Zones by creating an Opportunity Zone One-Stop Shop, Marketplace, and Challenge program.
- Created the NJ Ignite program, which acts as a public-private partnership to provide initial rent payments for technology or life sciences companies, supporting both local communities and entrepreneurs starting out in New Jersey.
- Developed a suite of new NJEDA tools to support women, minority, veteran, and LGBTQ+ owned small businesses and increase their access to capital.
- Enacted Public-Private Partnership (P3) Legislation to create new opportunities for state and local governments.
- Invigorated the offshore wind industry through an historic 1,100 MW solicitation.
- Enhanced the Angel Investor Tax Credit program and created bonuses for minority and women-owned businesses and those in under-resourced communities.
- Strengthened NJ Transit through its largest-ever General Fund subsidy, without raising fares.
“One year ago, Gov. Murphy outlined a bold and comprehensive vision for New Jersey's economic future, one which prioritizes investments in people, communities and innovation,"
said EDA CEO Tim Sullivan
. "We are proud of the progress we have made in building a stronger and fairer New Jersey economy, but mindful that much work remains to ensure that all New Jersey residents have access to a good-paying job in a vibrant community.”
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The City of Plainfield Turns 150 Years Old!
Please join us all year long for upcoming events
to Celebrate
Plainfield's 150th Anniversary!
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Please have family and friends sign up to receive these important weekly updates. They can sign up by calling
908.753.3015
or emailing
communications@plainfieldnj.gov
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One Plainfield. One Future
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