Allison Platt & Associates was part of a team that developed a master plan for redevelopment of an historic industrial area on the Passaic River in Paterson, New Jersey. The area was one of the country’s first water-powered industrial sites, developed by a company founded by Alexander Hamilton in 1792. The area is already a National Historic Area, with many handsome 18th and 19th Century industrial buildings still remaining. The plan emphasizes creating gateways into the historic district, creating a more comprehensive system of pedestrian and bike paths to tie the site together along and overlooking the river, historic interpretation, and nodes of activities including museums, restaurants, and open spaces. This combination will make the area a destination for residents and tourist alike. A small conference center and hotel to be developed by the city is included in the plan, as is a visitor center with dramatic views to the great falls that powered the original industries. Restoration of the system of raceways (canals) that brought water and power to the mills will create attractive open spaces and integrate the historic district into the heart of Paterson’s downtown area.
