At a Monday ribbon cutting, Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop, the city council, and other community members and stakeholders celebrated the completion of $7 million in improvements at the Newark Avenue Pedestrian Plaza.

Officials say the upgrades help create one of New Jersey’s premier destinations for shopping, dining and community events.

“In 2015, we had the vision to maximize this space by creating a pedestrian-friendly plaza and establishing a sought-after shopping and dining destination and overall economic driver that that has since exceeded our expectations,” said Fulop. “Today’s ribbon-cutting is the final piece to accomplishing a permanent, community-driven pedestrian mall that boosts local business, attracts investment, and most importantly, establishes a premier location to foster community with various free public events throughout the year, weekly entertainment on the new concert stage, and daily foot traffic where residents and visitors can enjoy all the plaza has to offer.”

Jersey City hosted multiple community meetings for public input throughout the process.

Among the permanent structures installed are: 24 new trees, 20 planter boxes with shrubs and landscaping, 14 large square planters with built-in seating under trees, 30 recycling and garbage combination units, 16 bike racks, and 40 benches.

“Today marks the culmination of many years of hard work. The pedestrian mall has become a vital point in the area, and I couldn’t be happier,” said Rachel Sieg, executive director of the Historic Downtown Special Improvement District. “From holding meetings with business owners to fielding calls from property owners and city officials, this process was not easy but so worth it. I feel an immense sense of pride and accomplishment with the conclusion of this project, and I hope that visitors and residents of Jersey City will enjoy the Mall for many years to come.”

In 2015, a portion of Newark Avenue was closed to traffic as part of a pilot program to create a pedestrian destination. That was expanded to include a second block in 2018, and then, during COVID, lengthened to Grove Street between Montgomery Street and Christopher Columbus Drive as well as to 1st Street and Newark Avenue. Officials say the expanded outdoor capacity helped restaurants and small businesses survive the pandemic.

“Restaurants and business owners have been through a lot the past two years and knowing that the mayor is pro-business and always has our backs has allowed many of us to keep our doors open for business,” said Kenny Caulfield, co-owner of The Ashford. “Thanks to the city’s support, we have a thriving corridor of shops and restaurants that attracts local residents and visitors alike. By making this a permanent plaza, we can further demonstrate that we remain open for business, and all are welcome.”

“Now that the finish pieces are in place, the excitement about the plaza improvements can really be felt,” said Carmen Mendiola, president of the Jersey City Restaurant Association. “People are using the space as it was designed to be enjoyed, and those welcome upgrades are being completed just in time for the Jersey City Restaurant Week starting next week, July 17-31!”