| Union City, New Jersey |
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| new jersey urban enterprise zone | |
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| united states communities with hispanic majority populations | |
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from across the Hudson River , in the terrace courtyard of the Union City Boxing Club.]] For other places with this name, see Union City . Union City is a City located in Hudson County , New Jersey . As of the United States 2000 Census , the city had a total population of 67,088. HISTORY The area of what is today Union City was originally inhabited by the . Union City was incorporated on on the Hudson." The Cubans have also helped transform Union City into the city that it is today. In recent years however, the Hispanic population has diversified. Today’s influx of immigrants comes from the Dominican Republic , Central and South America. Middle class people from New York City have also settled here. The easternmost streets of Union City, in particular Mountain Road and Palisade Avenue, boast some impressive views of neighboring Weehawken , Hoboken and the New York City skyline, a feature which, in the aftermath of the September 11, 2001 Attacks , was exploited by numerous Union City citizens, such as those who stood in the courtyard of the Union City Boxing Club to view the event’s aftereffects. A piece of wreckage from the attack was used to create a monument that now stands in that courtyard. GEOGRAPHY .]].]]Union City is located at 40°46'4" North, 74°1'55" West (40.767651, -74.031833). It is bordered by North Bergen and West New York to the north, North Bergen to the west, Weehawken to the east, and Hoboken and Jersey City to the south. According to the United States Census Bureau , the city has a total area of 1.3 Mi&2 (3.3 Km&2 ). All of it is land and none of it is covered by water. It meets with Jersey City and North Bergen at a single point. The city is only two miles from New York City , one mile to the New Jersey Turnpike , 4 miles from the Garden State Parkway , and is situated at the junction of Route 495 , Route 3 , and U.S. 1 & 9 . COMMERCE Union City is in a state-established " Urban Enterprise Zone ," which was implemented through a program designed to assist businesses in economically distressed communities across New Jersey. Businesses within the zone apply for a variety of incentives, including a sales tax reduction to customers of 3% from the mandated 6% statewide sales tax, with no tax on clothing or on purchases made by merchants related to running their businesses. Revenue generated from the reduced sales tax is maintained in a special fund dedicated for use within the zone for specific economic development and physical improvement projects. The zone was established in February 1995 through the efforts of Assemblyman Raul “Rudy” Garcia, who later became the city’s mayor. Between 1995 and 2000, over 150 businesses participated in the tax incentives and other advantages offered by the program. Until the 1880s, the primary commercial area of Union City was Palisade Avenue. An influential citizen named Henry Kohlmeier who lived there objected to the noise created by horse-drawn public coaches, which led to the route being transferred two blocks west to what is now Bergenline Avenue (formerly Lewis Street), which runs parallel to Palisade Avenue, and which remains the city’s main commercial thoroughfare. Currently the longest commercial avenue in the state, boasting over 300 retail stores and restaurants, Bergenline runs through not only the entire length of Union City from north to south, but also through West New York, Guttenberg and North Bergen, making it the main commercial strip for Northern Hudson County. Also known as the "Miracle Mile", Bergenline’s largest concentration of retail and chain stores begins at the intersection of 32nd Street and continues north until 92nd Street in North Bergen, and while it is a narrow one-way, southbound street throughout most of Union City, it becomes a four lane, two-way street at 48th Street, just one block south of the town’s limit. Bergenline Avenue is also used as the route for local parades, such as the annual Memorial Day Parade. Summit Avenue, beginning south of 17th Street, is also a busy commercial district. DEMOGRAPHICS As of the Census of 2000, there were 67,088 people, 22,872 households, and 16,056 families residing in the city. The Population Density was 20,395.9/km&2 (52,977.8/mi&2), extremely high for an American municipality, and in fact twice as high as New York City although slightly less than Manhattan alone. There were 23,741 housing units at an average density of 7,217.7/km&2 (18,747.7/mi&2). The racial makeup of the city was 58.38% White , 3.64% African American , 0.70% Native American , 2.15% Asian , 0.08% Pacific Islander , 28.19% from Other Races , and 6.87% from two or more races. 82.32% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. Although Union City at one time boast the highest Cuban population (second only to Miami, Florida ), Cuban residents have spread out to other regions of North Hudson County, which now holds that disctinction. Because of the still-high Cuban population, the major New York City Television News outlets will invariably journey to Union City to interview citizens when news items involving Cuba or Fidel Castro arise. Moreover, Union City still boasts The Largest Hispanic Population Percentage In New Jersey , according to demographic statistic reports by the Urban Enterprise Zone. It also has a very diversified Hispanic population with Cubans , Dominicans , and the more recent South Americans and Central Americans. Almost 60% of the population is foreign born and 53% speak English less than "very well." Most people live in two or three family houses and apartment buildings. There were 22,872 households out of which 36.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.4% were Married Couples living together, 19.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.8% were non-families. 23.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.92 and the average family size was 3.40. In the city the population was spread out with 25.3% under the age of 18, 11.0% from 18 to 24, 34.3% from 25 to 44, 19.4% from 45 to 64, and 10.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females there were 100.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.8 males. As of 2000, Union City’s employment breakdown is thus: 27% Manufacturing, 15% Professional, 15% Retail, 8% Transportation, 8% Finance/Insurance/Real Estate, 8% Wholesale Trade, 6% Business and Trade, 5% Construction, 4% Personal Service, 3% Public Administration, 3% Communications, 1% Entertainment/Recreation The median income for a household in the city was $30,642, and the median income for a family was $32,246. Males had a median income of $25,598 versus $19,794 for females. The Per Capita Income for the city was $13,997. 21.4% of the population and 18.6% of families were below the Poverty Line . 28.3% of those under the age of 18 and 19.3% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line. The Brookings Institute studies rank Union City among the 92 most economically depressed localities in the United States, with 18.1% of the population and 27.5% of the children falling below the Poverty Line . The New Jersey Municipal Distress Index, which is based on social, economic, fiscal and physical indicators, ranks Union City as the 3rd most distressed community in the state. {Link without Title} GOVERNMENT Union City's City Hall is located at 3715 Palisade Avenue. The mayor of Union City also serves as a commissioner on the five-member Board of Commissioners, as per the city's form of government. Each commissioner is assigned an area of focus on, and Union City's is public safety. {Link without Title} The current Mayor of Union City is Brian P. Stack , who became mayor in 2000 after a Recall Election forced the resignation of then-mayor Raul "Rudy" Garcia. Stack also serves on the Board of Commissioners, on the Hudson County Board Of Chosen Freeholders , and in the New Jersey General Assembly . Union City is in the Thirteenth Congressional District and is part of New Jersey's 33rd Legislative District. West New York , Hoboken , Weehawken , and part of Jersey City form the other parts of the district. The mayors of both Union City and West New York represent the 33rd legislative district in the State Assembly. TRANSPORTATION Hudson-Bergen Light Rail (HBLR) service is available at the Bergenline Avenue station. HBLR is a Light Rail system, owned by New Jersey Transit and operated by the 21st Century Rail Corporation, that connects the Hudson County communities of Bayonne , Jersey City , Hoboken , Weehawken , Union City and North Bergen. Northbound service is available to Tonnelle Avenue . Southbound service is available to Hoboken Terminal and to stations at West Side Avenue in Jersey City and 22nd Street in Bayonne. NOTEWORTHY LANDMARKS ’s Monastery Church. Photo by Allan Weitz.]] Saint Michael ’s Monastery & Church The largest Catholic church in Hudson County, the grounds of St. Michael’s Monastery are located between 21st and 18th Streets, between Summit Avenue and West Street. It was built in 1869. Due to lack of finances, the entire complex was closed in 1981, and Saint Michael’s Parish merged with nearby Saint Joseph ’s Parish, whose school and church were on the corner of Central Avenue at 14th Street, becoming Saint Joseph and Michael’s Parish. (That school later closed following the graduation of its 1986, and was rebuilt in 2005 as Veterans Memorial School.) The monastery and church were purchased by a Korean Presbyterian congregation from Palisades Park , who maintain it to this day. In its lifetime, the church/monastery has survived two fires, one in 1934 that nearly destroyed it (after which it was rebuilt), and another in August 1994 that destroyed the actual monastery section behind the church, and the third of three Condominium buildings built adjacent to it. The surrounding park grounds, which had been used in the past for sports activities by citizens, were sold, and are now occupied by two condominium buildings, a low-to-moderate income housing complex that replaced the portion of the monastery destroyed by fire in 1994, and the José Martí Middle School, which was completed in late 2004, along with a new public library housed in the same building. The school’s Field House and Turf Fields are currently under construction. Park Performing Arts Center Located at 560 32nd Street, the Center was built in 1931 by the German congregation of a Catholic parish to house their cultural and educational programs. Its most outstanding feature is the '''Park Theater''', which seats 1,400 people. It belongs to Holy Family Church and the Roman Catholic Archdiocese Of Newark , and was incorporated in 1983 as a non-profit arts center dedicated to presenting and producing programs for the surrounding communities. It is identified as "the only institution in the County solely dedicated to the performing arts" by the Hudson County Urban Complex Strategic Revitalization Plan. It has featured performers such as Johnny Cash and George Carlin . One of the most noteworthy events to have taken place at Park Theater occurred in 1986 when Aerosmith and Run DMC filmed their groundbreaking video for their single "Walk This Way." The theater is currently administered by Father Kevin Ashe. An addition was built to the theater in 2000. The theater’s two most well-known events are the annual Multi-Arts Festival and the annual Passion Play . The Multi-Arts Festival is an exhibition of artwork, musical performances and workshops held every May since 1981, in which students and alumni of the various schools of Union City display their artwork, put on musical performances in the Park Theater, and put on free demonstrations of Sculpture , Portraiture and Caricature for attendees. It was organized by Chairperson Agnes Dauerman, a Union Hill High School art teacher, for 25 years before she retired in 2005. The theater’s Passion Play, which was brought to Union City in 1915 by Rev. Joseph N. Grieff, is the longest continuously running Passion Play in The United States , and is considered the premier Passion play in the country. The play made headlines in March 1997 when a black actor, Desi Arnaz Giles, was cast to play the part of Jesus Christ . This created an uproar that resulted in death threats directed at the theater, and as a result, cancellations by five tour groups. The theater also received hundreds of calls and faxes from around the world expressing support, and Daniel Quinn, assistant director of the play, opined that reaction to the play was 99% positive. Ticket sales actually increased as a result of the controversy, which was covered in the '' New York Post '', and the opening day’s audience of 700 gave Giles a standing ovation for his portrayal of Jesus. The play was also attended by noted conservative political strategist Ralph Reed in April of that year. {Link without Title} {Link without Title} in Union City.]] ''', Soccer , Track , Boxing , and semi-pro Baseball , as well as numerous special events, from carnivals and Fourth Of July Fireworks shows to an exhibition Baseball game featuring Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig . The stadium’s most noteworthy annual event was the Thanksgiving football “Turkey Game,” held since 1919 between rivals Emerson High School’s Bulldogs and Union Hill High School’s Hillers. Its last Turkey Game took place on November 25 , 2004 , with Emerson victorious 21-0. It was demolished in the fall of 2005 to make way for the new Union City High School and Athletic Complex, which is scheduled for completion in September 2008. Emerson High School Named for writer Ralph Waldo Emerson , Emerson High School, home to the Bulldogs, was opened in April 1915 as West Hoboken High School. Located on New York Avenue at 18th Street, the school’s most unique physical feature is the bridge that connects the original building with the gym building across the street, which was built in the 1980s, allowing students to cross New York Avenue from one building to the other on the second floor. A new high school that was to be the new Emerson High School will be completed in September 2008 on the site of the former Roosevelt Stadium, though it was decided to name it Union City High School, as a merger of both the Emerson and Union Hill High School. The the old Emerson H.S. will become a junior high school for grades 7 - 9. 15th Street Library Situated between Bergenline Avenue and New York Avenue, this library was built in 1904 with a grant from Andrew Carnegie . It boasts original stained glass and is considered by many to be of landmark quality. The library was closed in 2004 upon the completion of a new library on the corner of Summit Avenue and 18th Street, housed in the same building as the new José Martí Middle School . singer Celia Cruz .]] Celia Cruz Park On June 4 , 2003 , nearly a year after the death of Cuban-American Salsa singer Celia Cruz (who lived in nearby Fort Lee ), Union City heralded its annual Cuban Day Parade by dedicating its new Celia Cruz Park at 31st Street and Bergenline Avenue, with Cruz's widower, Pedro Knight , present. The park boasts a sidewalk star in Cruz's honor, and an 8' x 10' mural by Union City's Edgardo Davila, a collage of Cruz's career throughout the decades. There are four other similar dedications to Cruz around the world. {Link without Title} NOTEWORTHY RESIDENTS
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