DUI Lawyers in Passaic, NJ

Passaic County officials have awarded an $11 million contract to restore the historic Passaic County Court House, one of Paterson's most significant buildings.

The project, funded in part by a $2.25 million grant from the New Jersey Historic Trust, includes repairs to the building’s dome and cupola, repointing of masonry and restoration of exterior surfaces and balustrades, county records show. The work, awarded to Joseph A. Natoli Construction Corporation of Pine Brook, also involves reopening the rear entrance on Clark Street and improving landscaping and ADA accessibility.

“The Passaic County Court House is not only a cornerstone of our judicial system but also an architectural and cultural landmark,” said County Commissioner John Bartlett. “This restoration reaffirms Passaic County’s dedication to preserving its heritage while ensuring this facility continues to serve our community for generations to come.”

Commissioned in 1895, the courthouse was designed by architect Samuel Burrage Reed and formally dedicated during an invitation-only event on Jan. 4, 1904. The 400 invited guests filled the building, while hundreds more were turned away, newspaper accounts said.

HMR Architects is overseeing the building's exterior restoration, which is being completed under the county’s relatively new Project Labor Agreement. The agreement requires the hiring of local skilled tradespeople.

“This project is a win for both our community and our workforce,” said Brian Jackson, president of the Passaic County Building and Construction Trades Council. “Not only are we preserving an iconic landmark, but we are also ensuring that local skilled tradespeople have the opportunity to contribute to this important effort. Our workforce takes great pride in restoring and maintaining the buildings that define our county’s heritage.”

The building's initial planning and construction stretched nearly a decade, slowed by financial and logistical setbacks. The original contractor, Paterson builder William H. H. Van Houten, bid $295,000 for the project, though county officials had budgeted more than $350,000 in April 1896. By the time the courthouse opened, the total cost had climbed to more than $478,000.

Stone supply issues plagued the project from the start. A strike at the Avondale, Pennsylvania, quarry delayed work, and in 1900, quarry officials refused to honor their contract with Van Houten. When county officials stepped in to secure the stone directly, they too were cut off after refusing to pay for uncarved capitals. By June 1902, Van Houten had declared bankruptcy. The remaining work was finished by subcontractors.

More than a century later, the courthouse remains one of the county’s most distinguished buildings. The Italian Renaissance Revival design features a dome allegedly inspired by the Tempietto del Bramante in Rome, county records show. Minor alterations were made under architect Elsworth M. Lee in 1930.

The work is not expected to disrupt court operations, officials said.

Bids for the pending restoration project were unsealed Feb. 7 by the county purchasing agent. Natoli Construction submitted the lowest responsible bid, with a contract not to exceed $11,042,000, county records show. In 2024, county officials adopted an $11.5 million bond ordinance to fund the exterior restoration.

There may be no such thing as a free lunch, but until June 20, Clifton and Passaic residents can enjoy a free ride as part of the Passaic County MOVE promotion, a new county-sponsored ride-sharing service.

Residents must first download the MOVE app, then use it to book a ride for a doctor visit, go to the train station or do some local shopping. The ride will come from several SUVs operated by Passaic County's microtransit service.

Up until June 20, residents can request and get a ride at no cost. After that, each local ride will cost $1.80. Local officials said the price of the ride is a pretty good deal.

At a May 28 press event in Passaic's Dundee Island Park meant to highlight the service, county officials noted that its May 20 launch has been encouraging. Since then, plenty of residents have used the service. They said there have been more than 1,500 app downloads (available on the App Store and Google Play) and a total of 728 rides provided.

"These early numbers reflect strong community interest and engagement with this innovative transportation solution," said Lindsey Reed, county public information officer. "We look forward to continuing to expand access and improve mobility for residents throughout Passaic County."

The service, county and local officials said, helps address a number of pressing issues. Passaic and, to a certain extent, Clifton, have pressing parking problems. The service, which provides rides locally only, can help reduce parking issues in the downtown business districts.

The service is designed to provide affordable ride sharing to a broad range of residents, many of whom are economically challenged or living on fixed incomes.

"This low-cost service that will provide transportation opportunities to families is huge," Passaic Mayor Hector Lora said at the May 28 press conference. "We are talking about a population that doesn't always have the option to call a different ride service."

Clifton Mayor Ray Grabowski called the service " a game changer" for his community.

The program uses an on-demand, app-based service that is run in partnership with TransitTech provider Via, which operates several similar programs across New Jersey. Users can book an on-demand ride-share service within the Passaic and Clifton borders.

Passaic County commissioners said MOVE is part of the county's efforts to deliver equitable, efficient public services tailored to the needs of all residents, including commuters, seniors, people with disabilities and those living in areas underserved by traditional public transit.

How to use the Passaic County MOVE app

PASSAIC — The first part of the city's plan to get its residents moving is underway with the Bike Share program hitting the streets last week.

Through the program, proposed and supported by Mayor Hector Lora, the city bought 25 bikes, kept at five stations dispersed throughout its 3.25 square miles.

Designed to promote healthy lifestyles, support local businesses and make transportation more accessible, the Urban Enterprise Zone Bike Share is open to the public and part of the mayor’s broader wellness campaign.

In a city where 82% of its households own one or no vehicles, this program hopes to bridge transportation gaps for residents and visitors, the mayor said.

"Through the slogan 'Ride, Shop, Tour, Passaic!' the initiative encourages users to take advantage of free bike access while discovering Passaic’s vibrant commercial corridors," Lora said.

The mayor said more than 200 residents signed up since the program started and at least that many have taken the bikes for a spin.

"The bike racks are empty today," Lora said on Tuesday.

Riders can download the On Bike Share app and enter a special promo code PUEZFREE to unlock up to two free hours of ride time.

The other key to the city's ride program will be the completion of its Bicycle Master Plan.

Its purpose is to create a network that's safe, convenient and accessible and to encourage residents of all ages and abilities to use bicycles for recreation, exercise, commuting, errands or just getting around, Lora said.

Still in its design stage, the bike paths should be much further along by the end of the summer.

The UEZ Bike Share Program features bike stations throughout key commercial and community areas in the city, including: