Since 1997, the Downtown Paterson Special Improvement District, Inc. has been working to enhance the quality of life in the Downtown Paterson retail district. We aim to provide workers, residents and visitors with a clean, safe and dynamic neighborhood.

Services are funded by a special assessment imposed upon property owners, which is an investment made by our members to enhance the growth, improvement, and marketing of Downtown Paterson. A Board of Directors comprised of Downtown Paterson property owners, and Downtown stakeholders governs our organization.

Through our dedicated board and staff, we are responsible for providing the following services.

Clean and Safe Ambassadors: Our Downtown Paterson Staff of friendly ambassadors are visible on Downtown’s streets providing directions, and information about attractions and other assistance to Downtown visitors. These men and women dressed in red shirts and armed with brooms and dust-pans, keep the district’s public areas and sidewalks free of litter and graffiti. They also serve as an extra set of eyes and ears for our property owners, stores and shoppers.

Economic Development: Our organization assists prospective businesses, developers, and investors. We maintain a comprehensive database of properties and businesses, develop appropriate marketing materials, and serve as a liaison between City Staff, The Greater Paterson Chamber of Commerce, the Passaic County Department of Economic Development, and the Paterson Urban Enterprise Zone.

Marketing: As the premier advocate of businesses and property owners in Downtown Paterson, we run Marketing programs that brand Downtown Paterson as a shopping destination. Through advertising, public relations, and other campaigns and partnerships, the SID strives to relay a positive message about our vibrant District and the City of Paterson.

Special Events: The Businesses and Merchants of Downtown Paterson sponsor various special events within our District to attract shoppers. Each event is tailored to specific groups, such as families, kids, teenagers, office workers etc. All events are designed to make your shopping experience in Downtown Paterson a memorable and fun one. In addition to Downtown Paterson events, we often sponsor City-wide events, such as the Great Falls Festival and The City’s Annual 4th of July Fireworks celebration.

Streetscape: The Paterson Urban Enterprise Zone and partners have beautified our Downtown Paterson district with new street furniture, lamp posts, newspaper boxes, crosswalks, planters and more. Our staff, in addition to the City’s Department of Public Works, maintains the cleanliness of this street furniture and works to preserve it.