In the mid 1980s, a developer purchased much of the land on the eastern side of Boulevard East in North Bergen and proposed five office and residential buildings, each of which was scheduled to stand at least 20 stories high, atop the majestic Palisades.
The late George Chernowitz wanted no part of that plan. A resident of the Parker Imperial condominium complex across the street from the proposed site, Chernowitz, who was a military scientist and a consultant for the U.S. Department of Defense, wasn’t about to allow this development take place.
"It would have destroyed the natural environment," North Bergen Mayor Nicholas Sacco said recently. "It would have destroyed the view of Manhattan. This is one of the most picturesque spots of the town. This development would have been an abomination."
Chernowitz knew what needed to be done and knew that there would be strength in numbers. If enough residents fought and complained about the proposed development, then perhaps the plan might simply go away.
It wasn’t going to be easy, but Chernowitz was committed to the fight, along with several others who lived in his complex.
Chernowitz helped to form the North Bergen Action Group, a group of local residents who were committed to preserving the beauty of the neighborhood.
"We marched down to Town Hall and fought it," said David Kronick, the former New Jersey state assemblyman who has also resided at the Parker Imperial for more than 30 years. "George was the intellectual leader behind it. He was so insightful, light years ahead of everyone else. He was so bright, so intelligent, yet so funny. He got up on many occasions and spoke about all the reasons why that development shouldn’t come about."
Sacco was just coming into office at the time of the proposed development.
"At that time, George was a very strong leader and he was a go-to person when I wanted to discuss this area," Sacco said. "He was the person who I called out to when I needed advice and he was the one who represented the people here well. He had a very strong personality and he was very clear with his own visions and ideas. I found his visions to be the correct ones."
Chernowitz and the North Bergen Action Group went to war with the developer, the Saks Company. After years of litigation and battles in court through four mayoral administrations, the Action Group and the township eventually won.
However, after knowing that the proposed project would never become a reality, the developer abandoned the property, leaving millions in back taxes unpaid.
The township was forced with a dilemma, what to do with the property.
Sacco’s administration decided to apply for state Green Acres Funds and turn the area into an open-space passive park, which is what happened nearly six years ago.
Now it’s a park
The North Bergen Riverview Park has been enjoyed by many visitors who stroll along Boulevard East to take a peek at the Manhattan skyline.
Last fall, Chernowitz died at the age of 86, but the members of the North Bergen Action Group wanted to do something in his memory. So they asked Sacco if the park could be renamed in honor of Chernowitz.
On Wednesday, the park was officially re-dedicated as the George Chernowitz Memorial Riverview Park, with several hundred onlookers present for the ceremony.
The plaque honoring Chernowitz was unveiled and read, "In honor of George Chernowitz, who worked to preserve this site as a park because he believed that viewing nature’s grandeur evokes serenity and noble aspirations."
"He would have been very proud to see this happen," said Edith Chernowitz, George’s widow. "To some extent, he would have been a little embarrassed by it, because he was a very modest person, but he would have been honored and proud. It’s a pleasure to have this park here and it’s a pleasure to have it named after George. It was George who guided us through the unfair procedures and told us what to do."
His friends and colleagues agreed.
"It’s extremely impressive," said Howard Barmad, another member of the group and a fellow resident of the Parker Imperial. "It’s a celebration of one man’s vision and the work he did for more than 15 years. It gives me great pleasure to see it and hopefully, it will be here long after we’re all gone."
"No question about it, it’s a worthy honor and a sight to behold," Kronick said. "When he passed away, a number of us got together to see if there was something we could do. I’m glad to see it happen."
So was Sacco.
"Working with George all those years was a pleasure," Sacco said. "We are so happy to dedicate the park in his honor. It was George’s park. It’s what he wanted. It should have his name."