Women Rising /Bergen Communities
Jersey City Pro-Bono Planning Study

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

Women Rising and Bergen Communities United are collaborative community-based organizations working passionately to improve the quality of life in the Bergen Hill/McGinley Square section of Jersey City, New Jersey. The proposed Bergen Communities United (BCU) project is to update the BCU Neighborhood Revitalization Plan. BCU, with the assistance of a consultant in 2004, went through an intensive visioning process with neighborhood residents to develop the current BCU Neighborhood Plan. The BCU plan has been instrumental in leveraging funds from the Wachovia (Wells Fargo) Regional Foundation. In 2007, BCU received a 5-year Implementation Grant that is administered by Women Rising, Inc. In addition, in 2008, the plan became, and remains, the only approved neighborhood revitalization plan approved by the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs Neighborhood Revitalization Tax Credit Program. With a NJ DCA approved neighborhood plan, BCU has been able to bring Neighborhood Revitalization Tax Credit investment dollars into the Bergen Hill/McGinley Square neighborhood.

An updated plan is essential for BCU to continue to move forward and be a voice for area residents. Since the plan was printed in 2005, BCU was able to accomplish many activities. Now, in 2011, with the changing nature of community development and the economic circumstances prevalent in urban areas, it is necessary to update the plan in order to be able to leverage further funding for the BCU community. Furthermore, the plan itself, when implemented, will be a great tool for community building. BCU has a reputation in Jersey City as a group that builds community and takes action on important issues. BCU is recognized by local city officials and has been called upon to reach out to the community. Recently, when the proposed McGinley Square Redevelopment Plan was introduced and there was much concern voiced in the community, BCU sponsored several community meetings to create dialog between residents and city officials. As a result, approximately 80% of comments/recommendations from the meetings were written into the final version of the McGinley Square Redevelopment plan. In addition, the BCU Job Bank and Resource Center is also referenced in the plan as a place for construction and post-construction job recruitment (see attached plan) and BCU will also be represented on the design review committee for construction projects submitted under the redevelopment plan.

BCU has been so successful that it is being used as a prototype for another planning initiative in the Greenville section of Jersey City. A BCU partner organization, Jersey City Episcopal Community Development Corporation (JCECDC), is leading the Greenville Planning Initiative, and both the BCU Chairperson and BCU Coordinator have served as resources to the staff at JCECDC in this initiative.

The desired outcome of the Community Planning Assistance Program is an updated BCU Neighborhood Plan that is derived specifically from engaging community residents in a community visioning and planning process. The new plan will address the accomplishments, and describe that challenges that arose from implementation of the 2005 BCU Neighborhood Plan. The new plan will also identify any new goals and objectives that are important for the further revitalization of the BCU neighborhood. The overall objective is to continue the work started by BCU to create a “Safe and Secure Neighborhood” with the feel of an “Urban Village” for youth and seniors and a mix of income levels in a neighborhood that is a “Great Place to Work and Shop.”

PLANNING SKILLS NEEDED

  • Team Leader
  • Team Support Staff
  • Community Planning
  • Urban revitalization
  • Intense public involvement

ANTICIPATED SCHEDULE

  • Form teams – early May
  • Organize Planning Workshops – mid-June
  • Conduct workshops – late June
  • Assemble and deliver final report – late July

APPLICATION – submit the following to

  • Name
  • Phone number
  • Email address
  • Short resume

QUESTIONS – email above or call Tom Schulze at 973 634 1697