“We want to give our small business owners the tools to succeed which will ultimately come full circle to support Jersey City’s economy and serve as building blocks for a prosperous future,” said Mayor Fulop.  “This project goes beyond beautification with much broader goals to support retail and business, entice shoppers, grow commerce, stimulate growth, spark innovation, and expand local job opportunities.” 

The $4 million project is the administration’s latest investment to boost small businesses, which were among the hardest hit by the pandemic.  In partnership with the Central Avenue Special Improvement District (CASID), which represents the local business community, the city is working to improve the safety and walkability of the nearly one mile shopping district tackling major infrastructure improvements. 

“This project has been a long time coming and it breathes new life into the neighborhood and business community surrounding Central Avenue,” says Sanford Fishman, President of the Central Avenue SID and longtime pharmacist at Bond Drugs. “On behalf of our 450 members, CASID thanks Mayor Fulop, late Councilman Michael Yun, and the entire City Council for responding to the needs of our main street community in such a large way. The pandemic has devastated so many small businesses and this streetscape project is the start of a new beginning for Central Avenue.”   

The streetscape redesign will transform The Heights’ main commercial thoroughfare, currently hindered by traffic problems and deteriorating sidewalks and streets, into a premier shopping district with enhanced safety and beautification. 

The streetscape improvements along Central Avenue, from Manhattan Avenue to Paterson Plank Road, includes new colored concrete curbs and sidewalks, handicapped curb ramps with detectable warning surface, milling and resurfacing of the roadway, new traffic striping, improved signage, additional traffic signals, bike racks, trash receptacles, as well as decorative benches for a more welcoming and enticing atmosphere.  The plans include a tree-lined street look with the preservation of over 80 existing trees combined with the planting of over 100 new trees. The new lighting fixtures will use energy-efficient LED lights and will be strategically spread through the district to ensure safety on both the sidewalk and roadway.

“This redesign will drastically change the overall look and feel along Central Avenue which is currently plagued by crumbling sidewalks and asphalt,” said Ward C Councilman Richard Boggiano.  “We want to attract shoppers from all over Hudson County to shop here in Jersey City, and the new amenities and enhancements will do just that.”

“Central Avenue is the economic heartbeat of The Heights and a central hub for goods and services. The late, great Councilman Michael Yun worked with the Central Avenue SID and the Mayor, and I’m proud to pick up where Councilman Yun left off,” said Ward D Councilman Yousef Saleh.  â€œIt’s a critical time, now more than ever we must invest in our small businesses, and I’m committed to working together and finishing what Councilman Yun started, so we can catalyze the economic development of The Heights amid these challenging times.”  

The resolution for the Central Avenue Redesign will go to the City Council for a vote at the next meeting on Wednesday, August 12, 2020.