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AUG. 8, 2022 — On July 29, 2022, an interim crediting and settlement agreement was finalized that will allow for the construction of a new 5-acre riverside park on the Passaic River in East Newark, New Jersey, that will create much-needed green space in a historically underserved community.

The crediting agreement is the culmination of collaborative negotiations among the federal trustees (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and NOAA), the Department of Justice, and the BASF Corporation (BASF). This park is an example of how both government and corporations can work together to make restoration happen.

The federal trustees worked with BASF to develop basic conceptual designs for the park, focusing on the creation of environmental habitat, recreational space and public access to the river. The East Newark Riverside Park will be constructed by BASF and is expected to open in two years. Once the park is complete and all requirements of the crediting agreement have been met, BASF will be eligible for credit that would offset a portion of their alleged liability for past pollution.

This park will create much-needed green space and outdoor recreational opportunities for underserved communities long impacted by pollution and environmental injustice. Walking paths and an elevated walkway along the Passaic will allow for safe public access to the river, while new forested areas, pollinator gardens and related eco-based improvements will provide vital habitat for birds and pollinators.

This 5-acre park marks one small step towards reaching President Biden’s America the Beautiful goals, which calls on Amerians to join together to conserve at least 30 percent of our lands and waters by 2030 through inclusive and locally led efforts. The park also supports environmental justice goals by providing benefits to underserved communities impacted by past pollution. These ideals are echoed in the Federal Waters Urban Partnership(link is external) which facilitates federal agency engagement with locally driven community groups on environmental efforts on the Lower Passaic. By working cooperatively with industry to reach proactive settlements, early restoration projects like this can help communities and ecosystems recover faster.

Urban waterways—even those undergoing cleanup—support ecosystems, wildlife, and create opportunities for people to recreate and spend time in nature. The new riverside park will create new greenspace in an industrial landscape, benefiting communities and ecosystems in both East Newark, as well as nearby watersheds.

Over the last 30 years, NOAA has helped recover over $10.5 billion to restore marine resources where pollution happens, often in urban, indigenous, and historically underserved areas. Learn more about this work by state in our interactive ArcGIS Story Map(link is external).

To learn more about the East Newark Riverside Park please visit:

Restoration project will provide valuable environmental benefits and community gathering space

FLORHAM PARK, NJ, August 12, 2022 — The community of East Newark, New Jersey, will soon have its first community park. BASF and the Borough of East Newark today hosted a groundbreaking ceremony to announce the construction of the East Newark Riverfront Park, a five-acre property along the banks of the Passaic River.

BASF will convert the former industrial property into the park, which will include green space with a variety of options for recreational use and support the wellbeing of the community. The park will also have wildlife habitats, something rare in dense urban areas. BASF expects to complete the project in two years.

“We’re pleased this property will be restored and returned to the community as a multi-use ecological space,” said Tobias Dratt, President, BASF North America. “Converting the vacant property to a park will benefit the environment and allows the public to connect with the waterfront by opening many new possibilities for recreation, learning and community engagement.”

The ceremony was attended by community leaders and residents, federal, state and local elected officials, representatives from federal and state regulatory agencies, and BASF executives.

The project was made possible through coordination and support of the federal natural resource trustees -- the U.S. Department of the Interior and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration -- as well as the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and the Borough of East Newark.

“This new park will enhance the community and improve quality of life for residents and wildlife,” said Senator Bob Menendez. “The park will bring residents together and allow families to reconnect and enjoy recreation and nature. I thank Mayor Dina Grilo for her leadership and ensuring this project gets off the ground.”

Construction of the park is the first of its kind early restoration settlement agreement between BASF and the federal natural resources trustees to mitigate obligations associated with natural resource damages resulting from legacy contamination.

“As a result of cooperative efforts by BASF and the state and federal governments, the community of East Newark can look forward to restored natural resources that will increase the area’s biodiversity for migratory birds and pollinators, help manage stormwater runoff, improve water quality in the Passaic River and enhance quality of life for residents,” said Shawn M. LaTourette, Commissioner, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.

Once completed, the park -- designed to support biodiversity -- will be home to pollinator gardens, meadow and wooded areas and native grasslands. This will provide important habitat to migratory birds, bats, butterflies, and small mammals. In addition, recreational features will offer opportunities for the public to walk or bike along the riverfront and enjoy a natural setting for socializing.

“I am honored to join the residents of East Newark as we celebrate today’s BASF groundbreaking. The East Newark Riverfront Park is a welcome addition to the many beautiful parks and attractions that the Garden State has to offer,” said Tammy Murphy, First Lady of New Jersey. “This park will serve as a gathering place for the community of East Newark and all those who visit this historic city. This project has been years in the making and I look forward to enjoying it upon completion.”

Creating and conserving natural habitats in community parks helps to sustain nature, even in the most populated urban areas, and play a key role in furthering sustainable initiatives aimed at protecting and enhancing the environment.

In addition to its many environmental and social benefits, the park will support East Newark’s efforts to enhance open spaces and create economic benefits associated with urban parks.

“The new park will be a significant benefit to our community, and I am excited to celebrate its progress at today’s groundbreaking,” said Dina Grilo, Mayor of East Newark. “Very soon, this new open space will add countless benefits to our vibrant community by offering our residents and their families a safe place to gather, have fun, enjoy nature and so much more.”

About BASF

BASF Corporation, headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, is the North American affiliate of BASF SE, Ludwigshafen, Germany. BASF has more than 16,700 employees in North America and had sales of $25.9 billion in 2021. For more information about BASF’s North American operations, visit www.basf.com/us.

At BASF, we create chemistry for a sustainable future. We combine economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility. Around 111,000 employees in the BASF Group contribute to the success of our customers in nearly all sectors and almost every country in the world. Our portfolio comprises six segments: Chemicals, Materials, Industrial Solutions, Surface Technologies, Nutrition & Care and Agricultural Solutions. BASF generated sales of €78.6 billion in 2021. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchange in Frankfurt (BAS) and as American Depositary Receipts (BASFY) in the U.S. Further information at www.basf.com.

When you're tired of those one-of-a-million chain restaurants that you can have anywhere in the country, stop on by to a New Jersey diner. Better yet, make it a tried and true hole-in-the-wall spot.

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Usually, when someone tells you a place is a hole-in-the-wall, it'll be either one of two things: a rundown restaurant , or a hidden gem where the locals know the food is the real deal. Inexpensive, yet still delicious and filling. That's the good stuff. And since we New Jerseyans are particular about our beloved holes-in-the-walls, you can trust us. In other words: real recognizes real.

Diners are already a huge part of the New Jersey subculture, so winning the title of "Best so-and-so Diner" is quite the honor. There's no shortage of homey diners where you can grab a short stack, home fries, burger & fries, steak and eggs, club sandwiches, fresh coffee and more in New Jersey.

Cheapism.com did the research and crunched the numbers, ratings and reviews from Trip Advisor and Yelp, and they narrowed it down to find the Best Hole-In-The-Wall-Diner in Every State

So what is the best hole-in-the-wall diner in New Jersey?

Tops Diner - East Newark NJ

Just off the Passaic River in East Newark, you'll find New Jersey's best hole-in-the-wall diner, according to Cheapism - Tops Diner, located at 500 Passaic Ave.

This isn't the first time you've seen us mention this hot spot before. In fact, it's gained enough status and recognition at this point, that I'm not exactly sure we can consider it a hole-in-the-wall spot anymore. But that doesn't make the food any less delicious!

"This diner gets the nod as one of America's best from Food and Wine magazine, which praises its "novel of a menu" and long list of cheesecakes. Portions are huge, devotees say... Before diving into the cheesecake, try a burger or the chicken and waffles," says Cheapism.

What can you say? Tops is the tops!

Have you ever been? Let us know, and tell us which other hole-in-the wall Jersey diners are a must try!

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — Essex County has declared a “Code Blue” alert ahead of a frigid winter weather forecast.

County officials announced the alert on Friday. It will become active (during nighttime hours only) at 8 p.m. on Saturday. The Code Blue will last until 8 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 20.

According to a news release from the county, the Code Blue is being activated because the temperature is forecasted to drop below 32 degrees and there is a potential for a snowstorm.

Shelters and warming stations will be opened in Newark, Montclair, Irvington and East Orange (see the list below or visit www.nj211.org).

County officials noted:

Find out what's happening in Newarkwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

“When a Code Blue is declared, a network of warming stations operated by the county and its municipalities and shelters operated by the community-based organizations will be opened. The warming stations identified include a variety of public libraries, senior centers, civic and community centers, school buildings, houses of worship, firehouses and first aid squad buildings. Warming stations are generally opened during the day and may not provide overnight accommodations. Shelters do provide overnight accommodations. In addition, shelters that regularly require occupants to leave during the day will suspend that practice so people can stay indoors.”

“Providing our homeless residents with a warm place to stay during extreme weather conditions is important for their safety and well-being,” Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo Jr. said.

“We thank our participating shelters and warming stations who are working with us to open their doors in these times of need,” he added.

“Our homeless residents need a warm place to stay when winter weather gets this bad,” agreed Essex County Sheriff Armando Fontoura. “The organizations opening their doors are providing a great service and helping us protect the safety of these vulnerable residents.”

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The historic Clark Cotton and Thread Company Mill in East Newark will be transformed into a mixed-use development, bringing hundreds of new residents to one of New Jersey’s tiniest towns.

Eight buildings that were once home to the largest thread manufacturer in the nation will be renovated and converted into a dynamic complex with 616 residential units and nearly 100,000 square feet of retail space.

The massive project is being developed by East Newark Town Center LLC, a subsidiary of New York-based Alma Realty. An attorney for the developer is expected to present the plans for the 13-acre property to the borough’s planning board on Oct. 16.

Paul Jemas, the attorney representing East Newark Town Center, did not provide details on the project.

At just .11 square miles, East Newark is the second smallest municipality in New Jersey by land mass, larger only than Shrewsbury Township in Monmouth County. And with only approximately 2,600 residents, East Newark is far and away the least populous town in Hudson County.

Joseph Smith, who has served as East Newark’s mayor for the last 32 years, could not be reached for comment on the project that has been in the works for more than a decade. Dina Grilo, who upset Smith in June’s Democratic primary, also could not be reached for comment.

Built on the banks of the Passaic River in 1875, the complex is located between Passaic and Grant avenues along the Kearny border.

In addition to the extensive renovation, the redevelopment plan also calls for the construction of a four-story parking garage with a roof top terrace for recreational purposes, as well as 1,354 off street parking spaces.

Over 91,000 square feet space will be dedicated for retail and another 105,769 square feet of vacant space will be set aside for a use that has yet to be determined.

The property is part of the Thread Mill District East Newark redevelopment plan that was first adopted in 2007 and updated in 2017. According to the plan, residential projects in the redevelopment zone must have at least two-thirds of their units designated as one-bedroom apartments and no more than one third of their units classified as two-bedroom apartments.

The average size of a unit will be 1,200 square feet, the plan states.

Mills were a key factor in the formation of East Newark as a borough in 1895 and also brought an influx of Scottish and Irish immigrants to West Hudson. The Clark Cotton and Thread Company formed when two local mills merged and remained in operation until 1931.

The Clark complex had the nation’s fourth-tallest chimney. It was 335-feet tall on a 40-foot square cement base that stood until the 1980s. It took eight bricklayers and their assistants 150 nine-hour working days to complete at a cost of $30,000.

The property isn’t the only East Newark landmark getting an update. Located across Central Avenue, Top’s Diner has plans to undergo its own revamping.

In April, the owners of the beloved restaurant applied to knock down the existing building and rebuild the eatery, which was once named the best diner in America. Tops will remain one-story but will triple in square footage, increase its parking lot by 35 spaces, and hire 18 more employees.