Today, whenever people speak about renaissance they refer to Jersey City. Of course, this is not an exaggeration. However, this was not the case a few years ago. The waterfront rail yards of Central Railroad of New Jersey were abandoned. Colgate-Palmolive, once the city's economic foundation, left Exchange Place, leaving thousands jobless and working-class families uncertain about their future. Dilapidated neighborhoods and crumbling historic landmarks were a common eyesore.

Now, the state's only financial district stemmed up from the former rail yards and deserted warehouses on the waterfront. We now have an impressive slew of art deco, modern and neoclassical towers in and around Exchange Place. In fact, in the next four years, Jersey City's class A office space will reach about 15 million square feet, which is more than what exists now in downtown Atlanta.

Urban renewal is prevalent throughout the city. The housing boom fueled the revitalization of our neighborhoods. From Hamilton Park to Paulus Hook, from West Side to the city line, and from the Heights to Journal Square and toward MLK Drive, properties are valued once again. Project after project is being proposed. Block after block will be refurbished.

Our educational institutions are among the best in New Jersey and the New York metropolitan region. McNair Academic is ranked as the number one high school in the state. New Jersey City University, the former Jersey City State College, has the number one cooperative education program among the state's colleges. The culinary arts program from Hudson County Community College is touted as one of the best in the area.

Arts and culture are thriving in our city. Liberty State Park is visited by more than four million tourists each year. From Cirque Du Soleil, a renowned circus, to musical icons like Ricky Martin and Andrea Boccelli, the park has served as a world-class venue for entertainment. The Jersey City museum just opened its state-of-the-art facility downtown. The annual arts tour at WALDO, an artist district, is drawing 10,000 guests annually. Some of our neighborhood assets are pristine cinematic backdrops, so from time to time you will come across "The Sopranos."

In addition, our communities are ethnic crossroads to the world. We are a proud city of more than 50 languages. And with more than 240,000 residents to date, we are the fastest growing multicultural mosaic in New Jersey.

Did I mention to you that we are just minutes from Manhattan, and we have one of the best mass transit infrastructures in the country?

So visit us and see for yourself. Experience the renaissance. Discover Jersey City.

Sincerely,
Mayor Glenn D. Cunningham