First Suburbs - New Jersey

The NJ 1st Suburbs Network is a growing organization of older, established communities located throughout the state. NJ 1st Suburbs are home to nearly 4 million residents- 44.9% of NJ’s population – as well as private sector businesses and public infrastructure representing countless billions of dollars’ investments.

Our 1st Suburbs also are home to other irreplaceable state assets: livable neighborhoods, good housing, connected commercial districts, community recreational facilities, successful schools and tangible community spirit. These assets are necessary to attract and retain businesses, encourage more economic development and contribute to New Jersey’s tax base. (See OPENmaps for a tool 1st Suburbs use to visually depict their assets.)

Although the NJ 1st Suburb member-communities are diverse in character, most are built-out or approaching that condition, and virtually all are facing severe economic and fiscal stress. The 1st Suburbs are working to reduce expenses while maintaining needed services and continuing vital redevelopment initiatives. However, to meet these challenges our communities require informed support by state government.

We know that:

· Attention is frequently focused on our cities and on newer sprawl suburbs

· First suburbs are sometimes too small or not distressed enough to qualify for assistance

· Little in federal or state aid is allotted for maintenance and rehabilitation needs of these communities.

Leveling the Playing Field

During recent decades, new housing developments, highways, and commercial hubs have mushroomed throughout former rural areas. New developments typically have been supported by public policies and subsidized with taxpayer dollars, while comparable public sector reinvestment has not been provided in our older, developed communities. As a consequence, we are steadily disinvesting in our older communities, our shared cultural heritage and our social fabric. NJ’s 1st Suburbs now face a shrinking economic base and seriously eroded infrastructure, while new developments continue to sprawl across our state.

Since its first meeting in September 2006, the NJ 1st Suburbs Network has been committed to preserving and protecting these mature communities throughout the state and changing the rules in order to achieve balanced development and equitable policies.

The NJ 1st Suburbs Network believes the state government must partner with the first suburbs, scrutinize public policies, and redirect resources to promote:

· Reinvestment in NJ’s older, built out communities and their infrastructure

· Revitalize traditional neighborhoods and their tax bases

· Level the playing field relative to school operation and construction funding

· Ensure access to housing in all NJ communities; and

· Enhance quality of life and economic stability in 1st Suburbs.

Most First Suburbs:

· Existed before 1950

· Have growing populations

· Experiencing rapid racial change

· Increasing home to foreign-born residents

· Relatively low poverty level

· Include many cultural and neighborhood assets