Letter To The Editor in today's
Record:
Plan needed for Hackensack futureAs a general in the Revolutionary War, George Washington chose Hackensack for his headquarters in 1776 so he could map out a path to victory. His time in Hackensack would prove to be a turning point in the war that helped boost morale as the Battle of Trenton that followed became the first victory for the Continental Army.
It is no surprise that Hackensack continues to be at the center of it all, situated along major train lines, bus routes, airports and roadways, and it is less than 10 miles from New York City. Hackensack is not only the headquarters of the Bergen County government and judiciary systems, but it houses one of the nation's Top 30 hospitals, Hackensack University Medical Center.
While Hackensack boasts a population of 43,000, that number more than triples each day as the many other companies and institutions that call this city home open for business. In recent years, I have been privileged to watch Hackensack take significant steps to improve the quality of life for residents and commuters alike. The city's Upper Main Street redevelopment plan to develop mixed-use residential and retail buildings, expand parking and create green spaces will attract even more businesses and residents to this city.
Revitalizing Hackensack's downtown will bring in new talent and provide a much-needed boost to the local economy. This continued transformation will make Hackensack an even better place to live and raise a family, while attracting new visitors to our great city.
But we must not slow down. We must take this critical opportunity to expand the revitalization efforts under way in Hackensack. We need to continue strengthening our economy through smart investments and planning that will help this great city achieve its full potential as a thriving, sought-after urban core.
I have no doubt that these efforts will be smart investments in the city's future, because I have seen how the investments we made in HackensackUMC over the years have transformed our hospital into one of the nation's leading premier health care facilities.
I joined the Hackensack University Medical Center family more than 30 years ago and have been at its helm for the last five years. As the largest employer in the city, I can tell you that the HackensackUMC family is proud to call Hackensack not only our headquarters, but our home.
Hackensack's best days are ahead of it as long as we work together. I call on local elected officials, business leaders and other stakeholders in the community to host a summit about the future of our great city and how we can keep moving revitalization efforts forward.
HackensackUMC is invested in Hackensack, and I look forward to partnering with stakeholders in our community to ensure that redevelopment efforts are successful in the months and years to come.
Robert C. Garrett
Hackensack, Aug. 29
The writer is president and CEO of Hackensack University Health Network.http://www.northjersey.com/opinion/opinion-letters-to-the-editor/the-record-letters-wednesday-sept-3-1.1079810