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Lora passes on congressional run, saying residents of Passaic come first

Passaic Mayor Hector Lora won’t seek the Democratic nomination to replace the late Bill Pascrell in Congress, saying...read more

Passaic will use $16M from the state to fund these two downtown projects

PASSAIC – Shortly after he signed the new $50.6 billion state budget on Thursday afternoon, Gov. Phil Murphy called Passaic Mayor Hector Lora to...read more

Passaic OKs accessory dwelling units to add to its affordable housing stock

PASSAIC — The city has approved two new affordable housing measures: one to allow for accessory dwelling units and the other to require affordable units...read more

2024

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Passaic Mayor Hector Lora won’t seek the Democratic nomination to replace the late Bill Pascrell in Congress, saying he wants to make good on his pledge to Passaic city voters to put their interests first.

After power outage, Passaic apartment complex will be demolished. But that's not the end

PASSAIC — The three-day loss of electricity at the city's Speer Village apartment complex during last week's heat wave is a symptom of a much bigger problem.

Passaic envisions extensive bike path system. Here's what it could include

PASSAIC — While the city's Bicycle Master Plan is still in its design stage, officials say they may be near the end of the beginning.

'Something positive': Passaic gets funds to create fourth splash park

PASSAIC — The city's Colonel Johnson Park made the state Department of Environmental Protection's list for Green Acres funds.

Passaic to build a new high school with $328 million in state funds

PASSAIC — Plans for a new city high school that will cost $328 million are moving forward and will be paid for with funds from the New Jersey Schools Development Authority, the district's school board announced.

Passaic OKs accessory dwelling units to add to its affordable housing stock

PASSAIC — The city has approved two new affordable housing measures: one to allow for accessory dwelling units and the other to require affordable units in new construction of residential dwellings of five units or more.

Passaic has a plan to keep rents affordable while helping landlords fix up properties

PASSAIC — Keeping rents affordable is one of the city's goals for 2024, but just how will it do that without resorting to rent control?

Here's how Passaic plans to ease parking shortage

PASSAIC — Finding a parking spot in the city, especially in the Main Business District, can be challenging for residents and visitors.

Three years after it was destroyed by fire, Atlantic Coast Recycling reopens in Passaic

PASSAIC — More than three years after a fire burned it to the ground in January 2021, Atlantic Coast Recycling is officially back in business.

Former North Jersey hospital now an apartment building. Here are the details

PASSAIC — It has taken years, but the conversion of the former St. Mary's Hospital on Pennington Avenue into an apartment building appears to be complete.

Deadly, flood-prone underpass in Passaic gets $5M state grant for fixes

PASSAIC — The city has received a $5 million state grant to resolve severe flooding at the deadly railroad bridge that crosses a swale on Passaic Avenue near its intersections with Van Houten Avenue.

Can Passaic's plan to create more affordable housing units work for other NJ towns?

PASSAIC — To create additional affordable housing, the city has proposed a zoning change that would allow for the creation of new apartments, or what's called accessory dwelling units, in existing one- and two-family homes.

Passaic has a plan to keep rents affordable while helping landlords fix up properties

PASSAIC — Keeping rents affordable is one of the city's goals for 2024, but just how will it do that without resorting to rent control?

Passaic plans to ring in 2024 with annual piñata drop

New York has its 12,000-pound, Waterford crystal-encrusted ball in Times Square; Miami a 35-foot, orange dubbed “Mr. Neon” complete with sunglasses; and Hilton Head, a giant golf ball.

https://www.northjersey.com/story/news/passaic/passaic-city/2023/12/27/passaic-nj-pinata-drop-will-kick-off-2024/71960621007/

2023

Passaic mayor hosts meeting with religious leaders in community sukkah at Third Ward Park

Mayor Hector Lora hosts his monthly meeting with religious leaders in the community sukkah during the Jewish celebration, Sukkot, in Third Ward Park in Passaic, NJ Thursday, October 5, 2023.

https://www.northjersey.com/picture-gallery/news/passaic/2023/10/06/passaic-nj-mayor-hector-lora-community-sukkah/71071996007/

Passaic VFW hall is reborn into a game-changing project, say officials

PASSAIC — City officials held a soft opening on Veterans Day of what they are calling a unique and game-changing project that involves the rebirth of the Albert Lawson VFW Hall on Summer Street.

https://www.northjersey.com/story/news/passaic/passaic-city/2023/11/16/passaic-vfw-hall-is-reborn-into-a-game-changing-project-say-officials/71522746007/

Passaic's Dignity House for homeless residents recognized by Gov. Murphy

PASSAIC — Mayor Hector Lora's plan to create Dignity House, a resource center for the city's homeless population, initially did not get much support. In fact, because some were outright opposed to it, he said he had to tread carefully when he proposed using $1 million in Community Development funds to convert an old firehouse into the resource center.

https://www.northjersey.com/story/news/passaic/passaic-city/2023/09/07/passaic-nj-dignity-house-homeless-phil-murphy/70775627007/

Passaic has plan to deal with vermin brought on by development and reduction in feral cats

PASSAIC — The city's worries about a resurgence of vermin on its East Side can be chalked up to the law of unintended consequences, officials said.

https://www.northjersey.com/story/news/passaic/passaic-city/2023/09/12/passaic-has-plan-for-vermin-issue-caused-by-development-cat-reduction/70794527007/

Passaic looking into bike-sharing system to help residents get around, ease parking

PASSAIC — Parking in the city can be challenging, and at times, so can driving. For those reasons and more, local officials are exploring the possibility of bringing in a bike-sharing system for the city and neighboring areas.

https://www.northjersey.com/story/news/passaic/passaic-city/2023/10/25/passaic-explores-bike-sharing-system-to-help-ease-parking-shortage/71300087007/

Lora-Backed Slate Wins Easily In Passaic

Passaic Council President Gary Schaer – who is also a prominent member of the New Jersey State Assembly – has easily won re-election to another term on the Passaic City Council, as have his three running mates: Councilwoman Thania Melo, Councilman Chaim Munk, and former Councilwoman Maritza Colon-Montañez.

Passaic gets $4 million from feds to help build downtown parking garage

PASSAIC — The city moved closer to building its proposed $14 million parking garage on Wednesday with a $4 million check from the federal government.

PHOTO RELEASE: Gottheimer Joins with NJ Urban Mayors Association, Fighting to Support Jersey’s Cities & Municipalities

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) joined with the New Jersey Urban Mayors Association and discussed how to address issues facing Jersey cities and municipalities, including boosting public safety and combating crime, investing in first responders, education, and clean drinking water, ensuring students have access to school breakfast and lunch, lowering taxes, and making life more affordable.

https://gottheimer.house.gov/posts/photo-release-gottheimer-joins-with-nj-urban-mayors-association-fighting-to-support-jerseys-cities-municipalities

Passaic facility, a 'game-changer' for veterans, will soon get extra volunteers

Passaic County Habitat for Humanity is getting some extra volunteers soon to help finish the multifamily project for veterans on the site of the former Albert Lawson VFW Hall at Summer Street in Passaic.

https://www.northjersey.com/story/news/passaic/passaic-city/2023/02/02/habitat-for-humanity-veterans-project-in-passaic-needs-volunteers/69859210007/

Passaic Mayor Lora: ‘I Want to See Real Support for Hispanics’

Mayor Hector Lora of Passaic, the city with the most Latino population in New Jersey, says, “I want to see a Party that wants to have Latinos running for positions.”

https://www.insidernj.com/passaic-mayor-lora-i-want-see-real-support-hispanics/

2022

From Passaic’s piñata to drag queens and Snooki, we drop everything on New Year’s Eve

America, it's time to drop everything and lower your standards. We've developed a habit in the U.S. of...

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Passaic wants to fill former industrial sites with produce farms — the vertical kind

Vertical farming may be the next big thing as the nascent industry continues to gain traction in the Garden State with the latest roots being planted in Passaic.

El apagon: creating awareness about Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic

The Latin American Student Association (LASO), Mexican American Student Association (MASA) and the Alpha Zeta chapter of Sigma Lambda Beta joined forces to...

Most renters from last month's four-alarm fire had no insurance. Passaic wants to fix that

PASSAIC — Last month's four-alarm downtown fire left 60 people without a home, and most have no insurance coverage to replace their possessions...

Wilderness Inquiry gives canoeing novices a chance to explore Passaic River

Sunday was Markquis Giles' first outing in a canoe. Giles works for the Passaic's Department of Public Works and after seeing a flyer...

Nine year old kidney transplant recipient gets his wish to become a firefighter

Antonio Garcia Cardozo, 9, of Passaic, receives his wish to become a Passaic Firefighter at an honorary swearing in at the Passaic Fire...

Rapper Wyclef Jean visits Passaic school as part of Music Will charity

For the parents of 450 lucky Passaic music students, the answer to "what happened in school today?" probably ran along the lines of "I learned that Wyclef Jean...

New $240 million campus for underserved students in Passaic, N.J. officially opens

In Passaic, New Jersey, students return two weeks from Tuesday and thousands of them will walk the halls of a brand-new school....

https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/news/new-240-million-school-for-underserved-communities-in-passaic-n-j-officially-opens/

Governor Murphy Visits Passaic City to Highlight Nearly $2 Billion Budget Investment for School Infrastructure

PASSAIC CITY – Governor Phil Murphy today visited the Passaic Public School’s Dayton Avenue Campus to highlight education investments in his...

https://www.nj.gov/governor/news/news/562022/20220823a.shtml

Passaic adding a second police substation to combat gang activity

PASSAIC — After a police substation was opened on Myrtle Avenue near Monroe Street in December 2018, the city saw a small but steady decline in crime, and particularly gang-related crime, in that area.

A year after Ida swept two to their deaths, Passaic moves ahead with rescue solution

PASSAIC — A year after the raging floodwater from the remnants of Hurricane Ida swept Nidhi Rana, 18, and Ayush Rana, 21, to their deaths, the city is making strides to fix the problem and prevent future tragedies.

https://www.northjersey.com/story/news/passaic/passaic-city/2022/09/01/passaic-nj-approves-water-rescue-solution-hurricane-ida-flooding/65468513007/

Passaic will use $16M from the state to fund these two downtown projects

PASSAIC – Shortly after he signed the new $50.6 billion state budget on Thursday afternoon, Gov. Phil Murphy called Passaic Mayor Hector Lora to let him know the city would be getting $16 million to fund two keystone projects to...

This owner hoped to open a Taco Bell in Passaic but will open a Wendy's instead. Here's why

PASSAIC — Nirav Mehta had hoped to open his ninth Taco Bell franchise on Main Avenue next week, but when a competitor beat him to it, he went in a different direction.

Passaic's new food pantry offers an innovative approach to defeating hunger

PASSAIC — When their community was hit hard by the pandemic and the economic damage it left behind, three strong women leaders joined forces to come up with a solution.

Passaic will convert flood-damaged tennis courts to accommodate pickleball

Pickleball is gaining momentum in Passaic County, with the city of Passaic soon to become the eighth of the county's 16 municipalities to provide courts for the fast-growing sport.

Greenways are taking shape along the Passaic River, promising acres of parkland

PASSAIC — For the past several years, the city has been trying to jigsaw together a ribbon of green along the bank of the Passaic River.

Four apartments being built over a Passaic VFW could be template for posts everywhere

Habitat for Humanity broke ground Tuesday not just for its latest project in Passaic — a four-family complex perched atop the reimagined and reconstructed Albert Lawson VFW Hall — but what could be the prototype for rehabbing VFW and American Legion posts across the land.

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In downtown Passaic, a 'renaissance' is underway. Here's why developers are taking notice

Ask Alex Perez if Passaic's new zoning for the downtown is working, and he'll tell you he has three projects just along Main Avenue in the works...

Massive Passaic NJ chemical fire finally ‘contained’: Mayor

A massive chemical fire in Passaic, NJ, that roared overnight and initially forced the evacuations of some nearby residents was finally brought under control after nearly 12 hours, authorities said...

For all the Right Reasons: Mayor Hector Carlos Lora

2021

It began as a way to boost morale amid COVID. Now Parade of Lights is a Passaic tradition

PASSAIC — The Parade of Lights, started as a way to boost morale in the city during the lockdown last Christmas, is turning into a new holiday tradition.

Readout of Virtual Roundtable with Latino Elected Officials

On Thursday, September 23rd, the White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs convened a roundtable for Latino elected leaders across the nation, hosted by the...

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Passaic VFW demolition is underway

The Albert Lawson VFW Hall is being demolished to make way for a new mixed-use hall that will include housing for veterans. The project, announced by Passaic Mayor Hector Lora, will be completed with the Paterson Habitat for Humanity.

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Passaic's '100 Steps' get a face-lift, few extra stairs too. Here's what's next

Passaic's fabled 100 steps are looking wonderful after a face-lift that added a few more stairs. There are now 113 steps that connect upper and lower Harrison Street.

Gov. Murphy visits Passaic, Tenafly businesses after signing $135M relief bill

After he signed a bill to grant $135 million to help the state's small businesses, Gov. Phil Murphy hit the road to promote the program he said will jump-start the local economy.

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Passaic avidly pursuing $2.8 million in Green Acres funding to upgrade parklands

A BMX pump track, a new dog park, rain gardens and a bike trail for tykes at Pulaski Park are among the improvements the city of Passaic hopes to fund through a Green Acres grant.

Passaic mayor and Team Passaic slate see landslide victories in municipal elections

Tuesday's municipal elections were a wipeout win for Team Passaic, as the ticket headed by Mayor Hector Lora tallied more than 88% of the...

Apartments coming to Passaic are part of city's plan for livable, affordable downtown

Plans to redevelop Passaic's downtown are blossoming along Main Avenue and its side streets. Even during the pandemic, the business district has been bustling with development.

Brook Haven Mall's kosher supermarket opens to much fanfare in Passaic

Aisle One, the new kosher supermarket that will anchor Brook Haven Mall, a mixed-use shopping complex that caters to the region's burgeoning Jewish Orthodox community, will open Wednesday.

Annual burning of chametz, a pre-Passover ritual, returns in Passaic

On Friday, lights could be seen at Third Ward Park that offered a sign that we are emerging from the tunnel of COVID-19: The annual chametz burning resumed.

Passaic aims to restore downtown to its former glory. Here's what the city is considering

Main Avenue's drab parking islands that date to the 1970s would be torn up and replaced with attractive...

Wendy's coming to Passaic as part of downtown redevelopment plan

Just down Main Avenue from a proposed Taco Bell, the city expects a new Wendy's to be built, replacing what's now an auto glass repair shop...

As cold weather sets in, Passaic buys building space to shelter homeless

The weather turned downright dangerous this past weekend for the city's homeless population, but fortunately for Sharon Giles, who has been on the streets for four years, there was a warm place to go.

Passaic clergy get vaccines to send a message to their flocks

cience and faith are not antithetical. That was the message almost a dozen...

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How NJ towns, school districts are helping teachers and staff get the COVID vaccine

Passaic city officials have already called teachers to schedule appointments for them to receive COVID-19 vaccines in the coming days...

2020

Passaic's century-old 100 stairs could get 10 more steps and a fitness park

There were never just 100 steps in Passaic's fabled 100 stairs. But if a new private-public project goes through...

Passaic's plan to replace rundown VFW hall with veterans' housing could be a game-changer

Habitat for Humanity says Passaic's plan for a mixed-use VFW hall and veterans' housing project could be a game-changer that tackles two seemingly intractable problems at once...

Mayor Lora declares Passaic park one of the jewels of NJ

Passaic Mayor, Hector Lora speaks before the ribbon cutting on the new Dundee Island Park. Wednesday, October 28, 2020.

Passaic County Ribbon Cutting for Dundee Island Park

Dundee Island Park – a $12 million dollar project funded by the Passaic County Open Space, Farmland, and Historic Preservation Trust Fund, Passaic County Capital Budget, and a $5 million dollar grant from the NJDEP Office of Natural...

Thousands of Passaic residents line up for boxes of fresh produce at food distribution event

Summer is a time of heightened food insecurity for many people, and the struggle is made more difficult by a pandemic that has sent unemployment soaring and kept more people at home.

Passaic debuts Dundee Island Park with hope it will spur transformation in area of blight

What was once a dreary and dangerous stretch of urban waterfront became Passaic County's newest park on Wednesday, as officials gathered to cut the ribbon on Dundee Island in the City of Passaic...

Passaic sets up mailboxes for homeless people, and it could be life-changing

There are a multitude of reasons why people wind up homeless.

Passaic Mayor envisions beautiful riverfront walk

Passaic Mayor Hector Lora led The Record on a walk around the new Dundee Island Park and along the Passaic River, where he hopes to have a riverfront walk.

Passaic holds taco giveaway to residents who completed a census form

Tacos are prepared at Taqueria Los Amigos on Saturday, September 19, 2020. Passaic Mayor Hector Lora purchased 3000 tacos to give away four at a time to anyone who confirms that they have completed a census form.

Passaic tests homeless for coronavirus

Passaic Mayor Hector Lora organized the free coronavirus testing for the homeless on April 30, 2020.

Thousands of Passaic residents line up for boxes of fresh produce at food distribution event

Passaic Mayor Hector Lora checks in with a resident while handing out census information before the beginning of a food distribution event at the Passaic City Hall employee parking lot on the corner of State St. and Passaic St. Enough fresh produce and groceries were available for 1,600 families provided by the The Community Food Bank of NJ, North Bridge Foundation and the City of Passaic on August 26, 2020.

A local firefighter's coronavirus-related death prompted one New Jersey mayor to fight for new legislation

Israel Tolentino Jr., known as "Izzy" to family and friends, was considered an everyday hero to his Passaic, New Jersey community. On his days of...

Passaic unida por los latinos durante la pandemia

Desde antes que estallara la pandemia en el mes del presente...

Passaic NJ mayor's wife gives birth to family's fifth son

Passaic's burgeoning population jumped by at least another soul Tuesday when Charles Nathaniel Judah Lora was born at The Valley Hospital in Ridgewood...

Revitalization is happening in Passaic as abandoned trains make the first move

Huddled just beyond the railyard fence, a crowd of train buffs braved the cool, blustery day Thursday...

Community Fights To Save '100 Steps' In Passaic

Passaic City Mayor Hector Carlos Lora fights to preserve century-old historic site...

Passaic mayor invites homeless to third annual Super Bowl party

It’s not a holiday, but Super Bowl Sunday sure feels like it. It’s become a tradition to get together with family and friends, eat, drink...

Passaic mayor: Super Bowl party for homeless brings the community together

Passaic Mayor Hector Lora is holding a Super Bowl party for the city's homeless at the Salvation Army.

Converted Passaic fire station opens as homeless shelter

Dignity House is Passaic County's new resource center for the homeless. An old firehouse was converted into a...

Passaic hopes to save century-old '100 Steps' with open space grant

The city is once again trying to save its century-old "100 Steps," a crumbling staircase at the end of Harrison Street that...

Virtual promotions: 24 Passaic police officers, firefighters sworn to new posts via zoom

Mayor Hector Carlos Lora presided over the unprecedented virtual ceremony, during which 19 police...

City of Passaic goes on coronavirus lockdown, reports 1st positive case

The City of Passaic reported its first confirmed case of coronavirus on Sunday and joined several other North Jersey municipalities in a virtual lockdown of public and private gathering places...

Alcaldia de Passaic, New Jersey entrega proclama a productora de TV Carolina G Martínez

Con la presencia de diversas personalidades, el alcalde de la ciudad de Passaic , Héctor C Lora hizo entrega de una proclama de la ciudad a la destacada productora de televisión de origen....

2019

Gov. Phil Murphy Nominates Passaic Mayor Hector Lora to Passaic Valley Water Commission

The Senate Judiciary Committee on Monday will consider a full roster of nominations by Governor Phil Murphy for various positions, including...

Passaic’s $10M plan to transform neglected riverfront site into recreation space

Passaic has a nearly $10 million plan to convert a blighted parcel along the Passaic River, known as Dundee Island Park...

Can Passaic's century-old '100 Stairs' be saved?

The city's century-old "100
Stairs," which actually has 103 steps, may soon be history...

Passaic’s $10M plan to transform neglected riverfront site into recreation space

Passaic mayor urges people to 'stop crying wolf' about ice raids

There were no confirmed reports of mass immigration raids across New Jersey on Monday following weekend rumors that federal activity would be stepped up. But communities with...

New Jersey Mayors and Elected Officials Applaud School Funding in Governor Murphy’s Proposed Budget

Mayors and elected officials from across New Jersey today lauded Governor Murphy’s plan to boost school funding in his proposed...

Hector Lora Dominicano Alcalde en Passaic New Jersey De Extremo a Extremo

2018

Passaic brings homeless out of the cold with 'Dignity'

Winter's deadly cold stops at the door of the old firehouse on the corner of Broadway and Linden Street in Passaic, which the city has converted into a temporary homeless...

Passaic County freeholder director Sandi Lazzara teams with local non-profit to help homeless

Passaic County Freeholder Director Sandi Lazzara partnered with Paterson based non-profit Global Emergency Response and Assistance (GERA) to honor the work of Dr. Martin Luther King by...

Passaic's tallest building to drop a piñata on New Year's Eve 2018

The city of Passaic is getting into the New Year's game as it plans to usher in 2019 with the lowering of a piñata from the tallest building in...

New Jersey Mayors Announce Support and Urge Action on Legislation to Expand Access to Drivers Licenses in New Jersey

A4743/S3229, introduced Monday in the New Jersey Senate and Assembly, would expand access to licenses to 500,000...

2017

Héctor Lora, el dominicano que fue elegido como alcalde de Passaic, Nueva Jersey

En esta ciudad donde residen una gran cantidad de hispanos, Lora logró adjudicarse el 60% de la votación frente a sus rivales: tres dominicanos y un puertorriqueño...

Héctor Lora habla sobre su lucha contra la corrupción y de cómo se acerca a la comunidad para escuchar sus peticiones

El nuevo alcalde electo de Passaic, Nueva Jersey, dijo que “los recursos del gobierno están disponibles para ayudar al pueblo” y que utiliza las redes sociales para que la...

Hector Carlos Lora, alcalde Dominicano de la ciudad de Passaic, rescata desamparados

Héctor Carlos Lora, alcalde de la ciudad de Passaic, pasó su tiempo durante una tormenta mortal para rescatar a las personas sin hogar en su ciudad...

Passaic Mayor Hector Lora starts #NachoSpacePassaic against saving parking spaces

Finding and keeping a good parking spot is one of the biggest headaches of the winter, and many people attempt to reserve their space with a chair...

Passaic mayor personally getting homeless off streets during storm

The Passaic mayor hit the streets Tuesday morning checking under bridges to ensure every homeless person is picked up during the...

In The News

Featured Articles

Lora passes on congressional run, saying residents of Passaic come first

Passaic will use $16M from the state to fund these two downtown projects

Passaic OKs accessory dwelling units to add to its affordable housing stock

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