One of the oldest town squares in America that was overtaken by surface parking and neglect has been reimagined for the 21st century as renovations to Jersey City’s Bergen Square are now complete.
Mayor Steven M. Fulop, City Council members, and other local dignitaries recently cut the ribbon on the newly revitalized Bergen Square. The intersection, situated along Bergen Avenue between McGinley Square and Journal Square, dates to 1660 and was first utilized by the Lenni Lenape Native American people.
Construction began last fall on the square, transforming surface parking lots into 5,400 square feet of pedestrian plaza and park space. The redesigned public space boasts an area for community events, traffic safety upgrades, a newly planted 30-foot oak tree, and native greenery.
“Our vision for Bergen Square is to build a usable outdoor public space in the heart of Journal Square for everyone to enjoy, with an important emphasis on the valuable role this area and Jersey City has played in our nation’s history going back thousands of years,” said Mayor Fulop.
In addition to being a critical crossroads for the Lenape for over a thousand years, Bergen Square was the first permanent European settlement in New Jersey. Signage is now prominent at the intersection, detailing the historic significance of the area.
The city relocated public parking and raised the intersection for pedestrian safety in addition to moving the school bus drop-off for P.S. 11 to Academy Street. Additional improvements include 14 on-street parking spaces, bus shelters, green infrastructure, and re-introduction of native landscaping.
The re-opening of Bergen Square is the culmination of an effort that began in 2018 when the Bergen Square Committee was formed. The Journal Square Special Improvement District will partner with the city to clean and maintain the plaza.
“With the Bergen Square revitalization project, we are introducing outdoor recreational space to the rapidly growing Journal Square area with the creation of a welcoming public space that celebrates the past, present, and future of Jersey City,” said Barkha Patel, Jersey City’s Director of the Department of Infrastructure.
