The panoramic view of the New York skyline from West New York is now complemented with a statue of Lady Justice.
After almost a year of being covered, a fountain topped by a sculpture of Lady Justice was unveiled on July 2 in Donnelly Park located on the corner of 60th Street and Boulevard East.
"This park has always been a place for people to come down, relax, enjoy the view and enjoy the fountain," said West New York Mayor Albio Sires Tuesday, adding that Donnelly Park is has both an active park and a passive facility.
The $650,000 fountain was funded entirely by Roseland Property Inc., the development company based out of Short Hills that is a main developer of the West New York waterfront.
"At the onset, this administration was always [persistent] that the waterfront community would continue to benefit the entire community," said Carl Goldberg, the manager of Roseland.
A new focal point
Donnelly Park, set against the New York skyline on the way to the town’s new waterfront development on River Road, may be one of the busiest spots along Boulevard East. The park’s playground is always bustling with young children playing on the swingset or jungle gym. Many adults also visit the park, either to watch their children, view the skyline, or just relax.
"This is now one of the most beautiful corners in Hudson County," said Sires just before unveiling the fountain’s statue.
Sires said that he chose Lady Justice because she stood as a testament to this country.
"I wanted this statue to have great meaning to the people of West New York," said Sires.
Sires wanted to unveil the statue for the Fourth of July celebration. However, another ceremony dedicating the fountain to the West New York residents who fell victim to the attack on the World Trade Center on Sept. 11 will also be held closer to September.
Entering into an agreement
As part of the contract agreement between Roseland Property Inc. and the town of West New York, Roseland agreed to fund a series of community development projects throughout West New York.
Before the fountain was begun, Roseland also made renovations to the town’s Little League Field on Broadway. As part of those renovations, Roseland replaced the fencing, added new lighting and built a new club house.
Roseland also agreed to donate $4,000 to the town’s affordable housing trust fund for each unit built on the waterfront at market value. $1.2 million of that money was used to help fund the three-site affordable housing project currently underway in West New York.
The three sites of this project include Madison Manor, an 18-unit building on Madison Street one block west of Bergenline Avenue, which was recently completed; Dewey manor, which includes 17 three-bedroom apartments, and Fillmore Apartments, which will have 108 units.