Hinchlffe Stadium is the embodiment of the decline of our city. Its facade a shattered wreck, the stands neglected and overgrown, the playing field a total ruin. Its glorious and historic past a dim memory. Some would argue that it’s a busted flush, its best days are behind it; you might as well raze it to the ground. However, many, many more disagree. I am one of them.
Such an historic site deserves to live again. The current development plan offers an opportunity to create housing, recreational space, create jobs for Patersonians and bring in revenue which the badly screwed taxpayers here urgently need. I think we need to see it include the Negro Leagues Baseball Hall of Fame Museum as part of The Halls to The Falls initiative. The City needs to press for that.
I think the developer needs to be closely watched but I do think that it would be wrong for the Council to reject this project out of hand.
Time is short. Much is at stake. Senator Nellie Pou was able to salvage the $130M tax credits which nearly went away after the cancellation of the St Joseph’s Hotel Project which can help make the stadium the asset it should have been.
The Council has an opportunity to make Hinchliffe a metaphor for rebirth and positive change in our beloved City. One day our current Council members may be able to say that on their watch they ok’ed this project and did something truly great to spark the turnaround this city so urgently needs. As one of the aforementioned taxpayers in Paterson, I ask our Council to support this plan.
Michael Symonds
Resident of Paterson