Some people like to compare downtown Jersey City with Greenwich Village in New York. However, Rachel B. Sieg, executive director of the Historic Downtown Special Improvement District, is not one of those people.
“I think Downtown Jersey City has its own unique identity,” Sieg said, seated at one of the tables at always-busy Starbucks Coffee near the Grove Street PATH station.
When people refer to Downtown Jersey City, they generally mean the Grove Street area, although the district, known locally as the HDSID, has expanded this year, reaching to Brunswick Street as well as to Grand Street.
This is a big deal for the district, Sieg said, partly because small businesses have spread out from the PATH station in all directions. The recent construction of Charles & Company near Montgomery and Grove streets is just one example of this growth.
Well known for its street fairs, farmers market, and the festive Groove on Grove, the HDSID is very much about business but also about quality of life.
“We’re here to promote businesses in the district, but also to make this part of the city attractive to people who live and come here,” Sieg said.
Incorporated in 1998, HDSID has become a vital tool for promoting the district as well as helping to maintain appearance.
“We have a clean team that works seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.,” Sieg said, proudly. “They clean the whole district.”
“I think Downtown Jersey City has its own unique identity.” – Rachel B Sieg
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Sieg has been overseeing the district for about six years. She started part time as an event coordinator, but it soon evolved into a full time activity
“I love what I do,” she said.
This includes everything from helping to plan the farmer’s market near the Grove Street PATH station to holding ribbon cuttings for new businesses.
Special Improvement Districts get funded by assessing businesses in the district. In exchange, the SID aids these businesses with promotions and other programs that help bring in customers and create a business-conducive atmosphere.
One of the great successes of the last year has been closing a portion of Newark Avenue to create a pedestrian plaza, Sieg said.
“We love the plaza,” she said. “This provides businesses there with outside seating.”
The city closed the street in a pilot program in 2014 to see how well it would do, and then made the changes permanent last year. This has drawn new business to the area, and inspired redevelopment. The SID has helped spruce up the historic street through installation of lights and planting of flowers. But the SID’s biggest contribution has to do with promoting the businesses and helping to keep the neighborhood clean and attractive.
Some of the more exciting new businesses include the recent opening of South House, bringing Austin style live music to the center of Jersey City.
But Sieg dispelled the notion that the district is only about new or emerging businesses. Downtown Hardware is one of the significant businesses and it has been on Newark Avenue for more than 30 years. Morlee’s shoe store has been open for 50 years. Helen’s Pizza is also a popular traditional business. Some businesses are relocating from one part of the district to another, such as Hardgrove Café. Skinner’s Loft and others were pioneers in the area, bringing in a new urban look to the downtown district.
“We are part of Jersey City,” Sieg said. “We’re here to help downtown, to promote businesses here and to get people to shop locally.”
Getting people to come downtown
The goal of the SID is to get as many people to eat and shop locally. “We have a lot of cool restaurants and a variety of everything,” she said. This includes everything thing from mozzarella cheese to tacos.
“If I want to get a yogurt I can go to Downtown Yogurt,” she said.
Where the customers come from can range as well from people who live downtown to those just passing through.
“We have the PATH right here,” she said.
The expanded district means more businesses and thus more revenue to help cover the costs of maintaining the district.
“Charles & Company will come into the district on July 1,” she said. “We’re very excited about the businesses that are in that building.”
Helping local businesses
The district has about 250 businesses in it, mostly small. The expansion will bring in more businesses. Some, like Lucky 7’s, have been just out of reach.
The district has a number of quality restaurants, niche shops, but, Sieg said, she would like to get more clothing stores.
The SID creates banners and other promotional materials as well as cooperative advertising.
Some of the bigger programs include Groove on Grove, which is a kind of street fair with music and sales tents. This is held every Wednesday from May to September.
The farmers market takes place on Mondays and Thursdays from 4 to 8 p.m. The market has changed with new rules about what kinds of foods can be offered.
“We want fresh produce and things like that,” she said. “It can no longer be prepared food. It must be fruits and vegetables.”
Perhaps one of the biggest annual events is the All About Downtown Street Fair which will be held on Sept. 17 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
“Last year we had about 150 vendors,” Sieg said. “This year there will be 250.”
While the offerings vary, she said, the idea is to have as many Jersey City businesses involved as possible.
Sponsors for events include a number of prominent businesses such as Goldman Sachs and Silverman.
While the HDSID does not oversee everything that happens downtown, it does often provide space and assistance to others, such as the annual Pride Festival.
Sieg, however, said much of the success of the SID has to do with a very proactive board, and cooperation with the city.
Email blasts keep business owners aware of what the SID is doing or offering.
“We’re all working together to make this part of Jersey City attractive,” Sieg said.
Al Sullivan may be reached at asullivan@hudsonreporter.com.