Paterson, N.J. officials approved $1.1M to replace iconic Great Falls footbridge, closed for safety. New span honors late Congressman Bill Pascrell Jr. Upgrades include Vista park amenities.
Photo courtesy of National Park Service
Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park enthusiasts have eagerly awaited the reopening of the bridge — which provides dramatic views of the 77-ft.-high waterfall.
More than three years after the iconic footbridge at Paterson, N.J.'s Great Falls was closed for safety reasons, city officials on Oct. 21 approved a $1.14 million contract to replace the structure.
The installation of the new span should be completed within one year, according to the resolution approving the contract.
Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park enthusiasts have eagerly awaited the reopening of the bridge — which provides dramatic views of the 77-ft.-high waterfall. The work was delayed for more than a year amid a dispute over the structure's ownership, the Paterson Press reported Oct. 23.
The bridge also will provide a shortcut for visitors seeking to walk from the national park's Overlook Park section on the south side of the Passaic River to the north bank's Mary Ellen Kramer Park area, which is closest to the waterfall.
The U.S. House of Representatives plans to name the new footbridge after late New Jersey Congressman Bill Pascrell Jr., a Paterson native and former mayor, who died on Aug. 21 at the age of 87.
Pascrell served 27 years in the House and was one of the leaders in the effort to convince the federal government to designate the Great Falls area as a national park in 2009.
An earlier bill that would name the park's overlook area — directly across the Passaic River from the waterfall — after Pascrell had been introduced in September by Rep. Frank Pallone, D-Middlesex.
"Without Bill's leadership, this beautiful park — an emblem of Paterson's role in America's industrial rise — might not exist," Pallone said in his press release. "His tireless work to protect and promote the Great Falls ensures that future generations will understand its significance."
Pallone also issued a statement in September saying that he would seek to rename the park itself after Pascrell, but federal officials said there is no precedent for naming an entire national park after a member of Congress.
The section of the Great Falls park nearest the waterfall is named after Mary Ellen Kramer, who decades ago fought to preserve the area and prevent development there. She was the wife of the late Paterson Mayor Lawrence "Pat" Kramer.
New Bridge One of Various Upgrades Around Park
The footbridge's construction is going to end up costing significantly more than officials initially expected, the Paterson news source noted. Two years ago, preliminary estimates put the price at $300,000. Officials could not be reached by Paterson Press for comment regarding why the cost was higher.
The city already spent $172,000 on an engineering contract to design the replacement bridge.
Funding for the work comes from a variety of sources, including the National Park Service (NPS), the Passaic County Open Space Acquisition Grant Program and Paterson's allocation of American Rescue Fund COVID-relief money.
The Paterson City Council voted to award the bridge contract to Colonnelli Brothers Inc. in nearby Hackensack, N.J., which was the low bidder for the project.
However, the council balked at approving a $2.95 million contract for the construction of the new Vista park, which would be located along a cliff overlooking the river.
Twice, separate developers aborted plans to build housing on the Vista property, which sits next to the senior citizen housing at the newly-preserved and historic Hinchliffe Stadium. The state Green Acres program eventually bought the land for $5.7 million so it could be preserved as a park.
Paterson Mayor Andre Sayegh's administration plans to put a small amphitheater, a playground, restrooms and a grilling and picnic area in the Vista park. Council members on Oct. 21 said they want a detailed presentation on those plans before they approve the funding.
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