Housing and Neighborhood Development Services, Inc.

The Valley is an old mixed-use neighborhood that straddles the Orange and West Orange border.   While the neighborhood faces many challenges, it also possesses a tremendous spirit, active neighborhood groups and several good Italian restaurants that attract suburban customers.  The Highland Avenue train station with commuter access to Hoboken and midtown Manhattan is a major asset. Metcalf Park has been beautifully refurbished by the City of Orange. 

HANDS Inc., active in the Valley for 20 years, took the lead in shaping a renaissance plan for the Valley over the last five years – following a day-long planning event held in June, 2001 under the banner of Orange Model City – 2010.   Since then, HANDS brought together Valley stakeholders with resources from four universities to shape the vision, goals and objectives presented here.   The plan, entitled Visions and Goals for the Valley, charts the future of the Valley for the next 10 years. The plan also incorporates the results of other planning initiatives and documents including the Valley Neighborhood Preservation Program, Urban Enterprise Zone and the HUD Consolidated Plan.

In December 2005, the Orange City Council adopted a Redevelopment Plan and Harvard Development Associates, a HANDS partnership has been designated Redeveloper for five blocks of the Valley.  The Jefferson Art Walk  proposal will create 500 housing units, 75-100 artist spaces, neighborhood shopping and new public park space.

We invite you to learn more about the Valley and the Valley Plan.  We welcome your comments.

Copyright © 2007 Housing and Neighborhood Development Services, Inc.