This year’s round of
Vibrant Places Program (VPP) will aim to connect communities through underutilized green spaces near commercial areas in Paterson and the revitalization of railroad underpasses in New Brunswick.
The NJTPA funds technical assistance for placemaking projects through the
Vibrant Places Program, conducted in partnership with Rutgers University’s Voorhees Transportation Center.
The Vibrant Places team will work in partnership with
coLAB Arts in New Brunswick to develop a placemaking plan to revitalize the network of Amtrak rail
underpasses that connect downtown with the
Esperanza neighborhood.
Working with local organizations like
the Esperanza Neighborhood Project, the study will develop strategies to enhance the underpasses, transforming them into welcoming gateways that create a sense of place and civic pride
, while connecting the area’s downtown and largely Latin community. The vision plan will be used to inform future improvements and guide implementation funding.
The Vibrant Places team will also work with the City of Paterson and the County of Passaic to connect green spaces and create a sense of place along south Paterson’s commercial district.
The team will seek to enhance underused parks to better support nearby businesses and enhance the natural environment for residents. A set of design recommendations for each park will be developed through in-person and online engagement along with community input via pop-up events, visioning sessions, and stakeholder engagement.
Vibrant Places is among the
NJTPA’s Municipal Programs offerings. Placemaking is the application of community planning that integrates arts, culture, and other community assets to attract investment and strengthen the local economy. It links job creation to specific places by enhancing public spaces, streets, and other community amenities.
Previous VPP projects include the Springwood Avenue Heritage Walk in Asbury Park, which this year won the
Outstanding Community Engagement Award from the New Jersey Chapter of the American Planning Association, and Prospect Park drafted a Vision Plan outlining strategies to transform North 8
th Street into a pedestrian-friendly and economically vibrant neighborhood that meets the community’s needs.
Solicitations for the VPP program are conducted annually, with the next round expected in summer 2025. To learn more, visit the
Vibrant Communities Technical Assistance page.