Darren Tobia

3 weeks ago | northjersey.com | Darren Tobia

3-minute readDarren Tobia |  Paterson PressShow Caption Hide Caption Paterson NJ: A brief video history of the Silk CityPaterson is one of North Jersey's largest cities, but what about its history? Here is more on the 'Silk City'. Some of the exhibits, such as the local pearls fished out of the Passaic River in the 19th-century “pearl rush,” have never been displayed before. The museum’s leaders spent much of their time at the opening ceremony speaking about the future.

3 weeks ago | jerseydigs.com | Darren Tobia

The Carmel Towers opened in 1970 at a time when Newark had a shortage of housing. Built around the same time as other affordable high-rise towers such as Hill Manor and Brick Towers that are now demolished, Carmel Towers is one of the few that still remain from this decade. Over time, it became synonymous with drug dealing, violence, and a building management indifferent to the frequent complaints of tenants.

1 month ago | jerseydigs.com | Darren Tobia

Newark has prided itself as an arts town. But in the last few years, the city has seen the devastating loss of many of its storied arts institutions that helped earn it that reputation – places like Aljira, Gallery Aferro, and Seed Gallery all closed their doors. “We’ve lost a lot of gallery spaces in the last couple of years,” said Laura Bonas-Palmer, the owner of Akwaaba Gallery in Newark’s West Ward.

1 month ago | jerseydigs.com | Darren Tobia

The Wildwoods became known in the midcentury for its quirky motels and rock-and-roll music venues. But what remains of that history has been vanishing due to the demolition of its most beloved landmarks. More than 200 so-called doo-wop motels are gone. The latest motel that could be lost is the Chateau Bleu, with its heart-shaped swimming pool. Built-in 1959, it is one of only two motels in the Wildwoods listed on the National Register.

1 month ago | jerseydigs.com | Darren Tobia

The height of buildings in Newark’s Ironbound has long been debated. For over a decade, the city has wanted to allow skyscrapers, particularly around the Penn Station area. In 2013, when Senator Corey Booker was mayor, the city passed a redevelopment plan, allowing 30-story buildings along the riverfront. Four years later, the city was on the verge of allowing even 40-story buildings.