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Council to accept $10,000 county grant for Underground Railroad signage after design concerns
Summary
The council discussed accepting a Passaic County Cultural & Heritage Council grant to install signage marking Underground Railroad-related sites in Paterson. Members asked that signage include readable historical text alongside QR codes and recommended creating a design committee before finalizing signs.
Councilmembers discussed a $10,000 grant (for a $15,000 project) from the Passaic County Cultural and Heritage Council to add signage and QR-code links marking historic Underground Railroad sites in Paterson.
John Franco and preservation and research partners briefed the council that the project would include signage at roughly 13 locations tied to the Huntoon Van Rensselaer site and other nearby sites. Franco said the grant requires a $5,000 match; the project proposal anticipates $3,000 of that in-kind (staff/DPW time) and $2,000 in cash from the city.
Council members supported the grant but expressed concerns about a mock-up image shown in committee. Councilwoman Mims asked that each sign include a short historical blurb in addition to a QR code so visitors and school groups who do not use QR readers can still access the text. John Franco said adding a small explanatory plaque or an additional panel below the QR-code sign would be feasible and relatively inexpensive.
Councilman Jackson and others asked that the city ensure representation and consultation with community descendants and stakeholders and recommended forming a committee to review final content and design. Council members asked staff to consult historical researchers who produced the project materials—Jimmy Richardson and Dr. Flavio Alaia were named in committee—and to include local community representatives on the final design panel.
Council members agreed the resolution to accept the grant should move forward but requested that the final sign designs and a list of participating stakeholders be circulated to council members and the public before production.
Ending: The council flagged item 39 for regular consideration so the design committee can meet and the administration can circulate finalized language. Members asked staff to return to the next meeting with details before formal placement and fabrication of the signs.
