DNJ Newsletter: Downtown Paterson, Placemaking, and More

The Center of it All | Spring 2024 | DowntownNJ.com

Rediscovering History: The Rich Tapestry of Downtown Paterson

Nestled along the banks of the Passaic River and steeped in history, Downtown Paterson is a vibrant district that offers a unique blend of architectural marvels, cultural diversity, and a rich industrial heritage. MORE>

Reimagining New Jersey's Downtowns: A Collaborative Journey of Transformation

A transformative approach to downtown revitalization rests on two key pillars: elevating the environment where small businesses operate and assisting them in amplifying the unique value they bring to their downtowns. MORE>

4 Key Elements for Creating a Strong Sense of Place

The fusion of a town’s unique history with innovative urban planning is essential to creating environments where both longstanding residents and newcomers alike can forge meaningful connections. MORE>

Redevelopment Matters: NJ Supreme Court Decision Signals Shift in Redevelopment Law

On March 13, 2023, the Supreme Court of New Jersey issued its decision in Malanga v. Township of West Orange. It marks a significant turning point in the court’s decisional law in reviewing municipal determinations of “blight” under the Local Redevelopment and Housing Law. MORE>

The State Plan is Being Revised:

What It Means & How to Get Involved

The New Jersey State Development and Redevelopment Plan (SDRP) is a document prepared by SPC staff, and is subject to a process called cross-acceptance, which is a consultative process with county and local governments intended to align the state’s priorities and planning objectives with the priorities and planning objectives of local governments. MORE>

Compromise Law is Not a Win for Liquor License Reform

NJ liquor license “reform” bill addresses the arcane restrictions on NJ’s craft producers, but still leaves our small-business, restaurateurs thirsting for more. MORE>

President's Message 2024

DNJ President Vanessa N. Quijano reflects on the past year, and looks forward to serving our members in 2024. MORE>

Elevating Downtown Experiences

Tailored for downtown project managers, brand enthusiasts, and retail leaders, this forum dove into the art of Downtown Marketing/Promotion and Storefront Facade Amplification aiming to transform downtowns and urban spaces into vibrant hubs of consumer allure. PPT & RECORDING>

Annual NJ Downtown Conference Explores Big Ideas for Downtowns

We gathered in Red Bank for the 2023 NJ Downtown Conference & Excellence Awards where industry experts provided insights about downtown management best practices. RECAP>

People, Parking, and Planning:

Placing People Above Parking

DNJ, NJTOD.org, & NJ TRANSIT's Transit Friendly Planning hosted a discussion about the intricacies of parking in commercial districts and new residential projects, and the effects of the antiquated parking standards. RECAP & RECORDING>

Retail and Redevelopment: Attract and Retain Local Businesses in Your Downtown

DNJ, NJTOD.org, and NJ TRANSIT’s Transit Friendly Planning brought together a panel of experts from public and private entities to discuss their experiences in attracting and retaining local businesses in downtowns across New Jersey. RECAP, PPT, & RECORDING>

May 6 - 8: Main Street Now Conference (Birmingham, AL)

June 5 - 6: NJ History & Historic Preservation Conference (Jersey City)

June 5 - 7: NJ Planning & Redevelopment Conference (Virtual/New Brunswick)

Help us help you!

Our ability to continue to advocate for New Jersey’s downtowns during these especially challenging times depends on member support. We hope you will consider joining today! JOIN DNJ>

Downtown New Jersey is an organization of individuals, businesses, government agencies, and local and regional organizations that are passionate about downtowns. Downtowns reflect our communities’ unique identities, provide a focal point, a convenient local place of commerce, and offer a sense of place where people can gather and truly be community. Downtown New Jersey is a resource dedicated to ensuring the vitality of our downtowns. Count on us as your resource for anything regarding downtowns in New Jersey.