Politics & Government

Weinberg Sees Potential Tourist Attraction in Historic Site

Senator calls bipartisan meeting to explore future of New Bridge Landing.

Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg has called a gathering of local and state officials set for Wednesday to tour Steuben House at Historic New Bridge Landing and discuss the site's future. 

In a letter to officials, Weinberg said the historic site could be an area attraction. 

"I think we all agree that Historic New Bridge Landing has the potential to be a star tourist attraction and economic engine in our County – but as of yet, it has not reached that full potential," Weinberg said in the letter to officials. 

Find out what's happening in Fort Leewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"At this meeting we will tour the site and discuss the NJ Department of Environmental Protection’s role as it pertains to the future of Historic New Bridge Landing," the letter said. 

Mayors from Teaneck, New Milford and River Edge were invited along with local state Assembly members, state Environmental Protection Commissioner Bob Martin and Bergen County Executive Kathleen Donovan. 

Find out what's happening in Fort Leewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

In what was billed as a bipartisan effort, leaders of county's Democratic and Republican parties were also invited. 

The New Bridge Landing park, which spans River Edge, New Milford and Teaneck, is where George Washington led his troops to retreat from British forces in November 1776.

The Historic New Bridge Landing Park Commission over  and years of what supporters say is neglect. 

New Bridge Landing advocates have pointed to the park's potential as an economic engine in the area. 

"We envision this downtown area as a little Williamsburg. More of the Revolutionary War took place in New Jersey than any other states, Virginia, Pennsylvania and Massachussetts combined," Mary Donohue, the Commission's vice chairwoman . "With the neglect taking place at this time, it will all be gone in a couple years."


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here