Pascrell Celebrates Hinchcliffe Investment
Statement
U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ-09) today hailed the announcement by the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency that it would advance its redevelopment of the neighborhood around Hinchcliffe Stadium with $29.1 million in funding for 75 units of senior housing.
"This announcement by the state is a welcome investment for both Hinchcliffe and its surrounding neighborhoods," said Rep. Pascrell, who for years has led efforts to renew the former Negro League stadium. "Development, backed by federal low income housing tax credits, will provide desperately needed housing for our seniors while simultaneously continuing the hard work of bringing back the grandeur of this Paterson crown jewel. We all know the beautiful history of Hinchcliffe and its surrounding area. Now we are writing the story of what will be a great future too."
Since he arrived in Congress in 1997, the preservation and promotion of the Great Falls has been one of Rep. Pascrell's top priorities. In 2001, Pascrell-written legislation directed the Secretary of the Interior to study the suitability of designating the Great Falls Historic District as part of the national park system. Completed in 2006, the NPS study noted the exceptional natural, cultural, and historic significance of the Great Falls National Historic District, prompting Congress to begin advancing the Great Falls National Historical Park Act.
In 2014, Pascrell and Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ) passed a law to expand the park boundaries to include Hinchcliffe Stadium, a Negro League ballpark that played host to Josh Gibson, Oscar Charleston, Monte Irvin, and scores of baseball legends. Major League Baseball Hall of Famer Larry Doby grew up in Paterson and played high school sports at Hinchcliffe. Pascrell and Menendez worked with Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) to secure $500,000 for the expansion through the African American Civil Rights Grant Program. Two years later in 2016, Pascrell and Menendez helped secure the third largest centennial challenge grant for the Great Falls.
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