Council approves nearly $972,000 in UEZ funding for two Sixth Ward pocket parks after heated debate

The Paterson Municipal Council voted unanimously to adopt a resolution authorizing a request to the New Jersey Urban Enterprise Zone (UEZ) Authority for the Paterson UEZ Urban Parks Improvement project in an amount not to exceed $971,931.84.

Councilwoman Lisonbee Mims, sponsor of the resolution, introduced the item and asked the clerk to read it into the record: "Item number 15 is a resolution of the city of Paterson authorizing the submission of a request to the New Jersey Urban Enterprise Zone Authority for Paterson UAZ Urban Parks Improvement project in the city's urban enterprise zone in an amount not to exceed $971,931.84." The motion to move the item was made by Councilwoman Mims and seconded by Councilwoman Davila.

The proposed UEZ allocation drew extended comment from several council members. Councilman Luis Velez pressed planners and administration for documentation of when project plans were drawn and why the money was concentrated on two small pocket parks in the Sixth Ward rather than being split to serve additional neighborhoods. He asked, "Why we have council walking with UAZ funding? It's a UAZ zone... why you didn't split your project in 2 section of the city and everybody will be happy on it?"

Supporters said the parks have been on city plans for years but lacked funding until recent restoration of UEZ dollars. Councilwoman Mims argued the Sixth Ward had few or no public parks and called the funding "a long time coming," saying, "This is a way for anyone, because it's not just for the Sixth Ward. Any child that wants to play is open the parks are open to everybody. Okay. This is a no brainer." Council members including Davila and Omar stressed that the UEZ money is restricted to locations inside the UEZ and therefore not transferable to parks outside the zone.

Administrative staff and the engineering consultant told the council the designs dated from prior years and that delays stemmed from loss of UEZ funding earlier and from permit timing. Director Diptha Roy (UEZ office) and the city engineer explained the funds can only be used for a short list of UEZ‑eligible parks — the two pocket parks and Pan American Park — and that the current request funds work already planned for the Sixth Ward sites.

After debate and public comment, the council adopted the resolution on a recorded vote of 9–0.

Why this matters: The vote unlocks nearly $1 million in UEZ funds for local park improvements in neighborhoods that council members said have lacked recreational space. Council discussion signaled continuing concern about process and neighborhood equity but also reflected legal limits on where UEZ funds may be used.

Details - Item: Resolution authorizing submission to NJ Urban Enterprise Zone Authority for Paterson UEZ Urban Parks Improvement project - Amount: Not to exceed $971,931.84 - Sponsor: Councilwoman Lisonbee Mims - Vote: Adopted 9–0