All roads lead to Journal Square! Always considered the “heart of Jersey City,” Journal Square has had a rich history of serving the entire city and county. The Square provides a great opportunity to secure the city’s economic future and create one of the truly great central business districts (CBDs) in the country. Beginning in early 2007 and culminating in summer 2010, the Journal Square vision plan came to life. The visionings effort was a true public/private effort, with local residents, businesspeople, anchor institutions such as Hudson County Community College/Saint Peters, and city officials working together over a three-year period to bring the plan to fruition. Adopted by the City Council in June 2010, the plan was honed at more than 30 community meetings, some large and some small, to get it right. The Journal Square plan, now the 2060 plan, has proved to be a remarkable success for the city’s CBD.

 

The plan, built around smart growth principles, now encompasses approximately 233 acres in the heart of the city. From the beginning, the 2060 Plan was embraced by the broad array of stakeholders that were deeply involved in the long process. The commitment to the plan can be seen not just in the award-winning Journal Squared Towers, but also with the wide range of mixed-use towers built or under construction in the Square. The heart of the 2060 plan was always about the smart transit-oriented development and transportation network that leads to the Square. The private sector had done its job by quickly sensing the potential of the Square and moving redevelopment forward at an unheard-of pace.

 

The plan is now in its 30th year and many of the original goals of the plan have been realized. The development of world-class, mixed-use towers has progressed at unprecedented speed. Moreover, the current development of both the historic Loews Theater and the Centre Pompidou is bringing arts and entertainment back to the Journal Square CBD. The Journal Square 2060 plan has clearly demonstrated that a shared redevelopment vision of the community and private and public sectors can lead to meaningful community renewal. 

The 2004 rezoning of Downtown Brooklyn acted as a catalyst for the neighborhood’s remarkable revitalization, igniting a wave of transformative residential projects that have dramatically reshaped the area. Noteworthy among these developments is CityPoint, a dynamic mixed-use project featuring, a 68-story residential tower, a retail complex, and a popular food hall. In addition, Pacific Park, a vast 22-acre downtown redevelopment, has emerged as a vibrant community, boasting an impressive 6 million square feet of residential space, the iconic Barclays Center, as well as retail and office spaces, along with eight acres of green space. Among the exciting transformations, the Alloy Block is redefining Flatbush Avenue by redeveloping existing and new buildings to encompass educational, residential, and office spaces. Furthermore, Brookfield’s visionary efforts are shaping Brooklyn Commons into an alluring destination for creative office users. These remarkable redevelopments are situated at the heart of the BAM cultural district, surrounded by esteemed museums, vibrant dance centers, captivating galleries, renowned music venues, theaters, artists’ studios, media arts organizations, enticing restaurants, and inviting public plazas. 

Start by riding through Central Park, exiting at 110th Street/Central Park North. Ride past the Lincoln Correctional Facility site (RFP in process) up Frederick Douglas Boulevard through an area of high gentrification, including the Harlem Tavern. Go east past famous jazz club Minton’s up to 125th Street. Ride down Harlem’s “Main Street,” 125th Street, to see the iconic Apollo Theater and new developments at the Victory Theater. See the influx of national retailers along 125th and hear about the evolution of the area from the Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone. Continue north to Strivers’ Row and the Abyssinian Baptist Church. End the ride at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture and a visit to its gift shop.

As the home to more than 1,500 museums, galleries, theaters, dance companies, zoos, botanical gardens, and more, New York City is clearly at the epicenter of arts and culture. Beyond these cultural organizations, arts and culture can easily be viewed in the public realm through the city's storefronts, sidewalks, and street plazas. Attracting talent and visitors alike, the vibrant cultural landscape in New York has evolved into a multi-billion-dollar sector fueling the city''s economic engine. Public investment in the arts in New York is unmatched when compared to other city and state arts councils, with only the federal government spending more. The underlying belief is that such investments in arts and culture positively impact the economy, social well-being, and community engagement. Despite its rich cultural landscape, New York City still faces challenges when addressing historic barriers such as class, race, and income inequality. Join industry professionals, civic leaders, and other major stakeholders as they discuss the challenges and opportunities when creating a cultural eco-system that is more sustainable, inclusive, and equitable for all New Yorkers.