Paterson council presses for public presentation, oversight on $8–9M Westside Park renovation
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Summary
Council members discussed a proposed $8–9 million overhaul of Westside Park including sports fields, a new maintenance building and a reconfigured parking layout, and requested a televised presentation and a named city project overseer.
Council members spent sustained time on item 24, a proposed complete renovation of Westside Park that director Billy Rodriguez described as including a new public-works maintenance building, new tennis courts, baseball and softball fields, a new parking configuration with a single entry and exit, a playground, a cricket field, sports lighting, refurbished gazebo and new walkways and curbs.
Council members and the director said the low bid arrived about $2 million under expected costs; officials discussed a project total near $8.8–9 million. Director Billy Rodriguez said the work will be managed day to day by a newly hired public-works inspector and that grant reporting and partner coordination are being handled with New City Parks, the New Jersey Community Development Corporation (NJCDC) and a grant manager from BRS.
Several council members said they did not receive the full packet for item 24 at the meeting and asked staff to circulate the bid specifications and the designated city project contact. One councilor asked specifically whether historically appropriate materials — for example, Belgian block curbing in lieu of plain concrete curbs — could be considered; Director Rodriguez said he would send the specs and confirm materials.
Council members debated whether the item should be placed on consent or held as a regular item for a formal presentation. Some members argued that bids and outcomes are worth spotlighting during the council meeting; others said that public presentations had already been held and that interested residents could consult the bid documents. Jackson and other council members requested a televised presentation next Tuesday so the public could view the full design and scope.
The director and councilors described a multi‑agency funding structure and oversight: the city will designate a day‑to‑day project overseer from DPW, NJCDC and New City Parks are partners on implementation and BRS is managing grant reporting and compliance. Council members asked for written confirmation of the city’s assigned project manager and additional detail on surface materials, lighting, scoreboard and other equipment choices.
The council did not take a final vote on item 24 at this meeting; members instructed staff to circulate the packet materials and present the project publicly at the next meeting.
