Bring the Halls to the Falls

Creating an Economic Engine for Paterson Through the Arts!!!!
With the federal designation of the Great Falls National Historical Park, Paterson, New Jersey is poised to realize the dream of rejuvenating the historic district. Already there are signs of an increase of growth along Spruce Street and the McBride extension at the entrance to the Great Falls National Park, and now we are seeking to raise seed money for a planning and feasibility study to decide the best steps to take in remaking the area.

It’s A Proven Plan!!!!
The timing is right to use arts and culture as an economic engine for the City, especially with the planned development of the National Park. Wherever you look, you can see evidence of the importance of arts and culture in cities both around the country. Think of what they just did to Brooklyn, NY!!!! Here in New Jersey, just take look at Newark, Jersey City, Morristown, New Brunswick, and Asbury Park to find examples of arts and culture being used to revive a city!

Why Arts & Culture for a City you ask?
Arts and cultural institutions are major factors in driving an economy, but they also play an important role in the general quality of life for people and businesses in the region. Where cultural institutions flourish, business follows because the arts serve as major magnets for visitors. People who come to see the Great Falls National Historical Park will stay for the other destinations, whether it is the New Jersey Inventors Hall of Fame, the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum or the New Jersey Hall of Fame. Eventually, visitors will be able to eat and shop in the region and that means the economy improves.

There is no doubt that the arts are a significant force in economic development and neighborhood stabilization. The best example, of course, is Lincoln Center which completely revived New York City’s Upper West Side following its construction in the 1960’s. Closer to home, the construction of NJPAC and the rejuvenation of the Newark Museum have had a major impact that has given New Jersey’s largest city something on which to build!

New Attractions Mean Business!!!!!
Bringing museums such as the New Jersey Inventors Hall of Fame, the New Jersey Hall of Fame and the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum to Paterson will be an important step in the City’s revival. The Great Falls National Historical Park has just opened a Welcome Center and is planning other improvements. Placing a small theater in one of the museums would add the dimension of the performing arts to the region and, combined with what is already in place, would help create a vital arts district within Paterson’s historic neighborhood.

Show Your Support for Paterson!!!!!!!
This campaign will provide the seed money to take these dreams to the next step which is to do a more detailed plan and projected budget for creating several tourist destinations and then to do a preliminary study on where the funds to develop the area would come from. The time for this work is now.

Donate by Mail:
Some people prefer to mail in their donations and we have made arrangements for you to do so. Please make your check payable to N.J.C.D.C. and mail it to: Crowdfunding Campaign, Paterson City Hall, Attention: Councilman Andre Sayegh, 155 Market Street, Paterson, NJ 07505-1414.