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Council sends DCA $2 million recreation grant application to regular session after members demand a concrete plan
Summary
Council moved consideration of a proposed $2 million DCA recreational‑improvement grant for a Paterson recreation center to the regular agenda after members said the city lacks a detailed plan and raised concerns about partnerships and future taxpayer costs.
Council members pushed administration for more detail before accepting or committing to a $2 million grant application to the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs for a proposed Paterson recreation center.
During the Feb. 11 workshop, multiple council members said the application — which the administration described as the city’s first step toward assembling funding for a new recreation center — arrived without a comprehensive plan showing where the center would be located, what programming it would include or how much the full facility would cost. Councilwoman Mims said she supported pursuing grant funds but objected to approving any language that would permit a public‑private partnership that could leave taxpayers liable for future costs. Mims said she would draft language to prevent “public or private partnership” arrangements that could shift costs to taxpayers.
Council members expressed skepticism about a proposal that some said would rely on a single flagship recreation center rather than leveraging existing school facilities or multiple, neighborhood facilities across Paterson. Councilman Udine, who has raised concerns about an earlier $20 million allocation tied to a recreation program, said a clear, city‑wide plan was necessary and urged administration to produce specifics about how the DCA funds would be used.
Administration representatives said the $2 million application would be used to help fund a larger, multi‑source financing plan that is still being developed; they identified 111 Broadway as a likely location under consideration and said the application was intended to assemble seed funding that would encourage additional investment.
After the discussion, council members voted to move the item from consent to the regular agenda so council can review more detailed plans and proposed language before final action. Councilwoman Mims said she would circulate proposed amendment language to corporation counsel and the acting BA to ensure the grant, if accepted, cannot later be used to obligate taxpayers in a public‑private partnership without council approval.
Administration said internal town‑hall meetings and consultant work had identified sites and concept ideas but acknowledged a formal, public plan had not yet been finalized. Council members instructed staff to return with a clear budget, sourcing plan and community‑engagement timeline before the council takes a final vote.
