07 May 2019
The Mayor of Trenton, New Jersey, will visit the island this week to mark the official opening of a new outdoor space in St Helier. He will be accompanied by a delegation of politicians and senior officials from New Jersey, all of whom will take part in a Government-led programme to build broader cooperation between the Island and the State of New Jersey.
Trenton Square, which has been created as part of the new International Finance Centre, is to be named after New Jersey’s capital to recognise links between the Island and the U.S. city. The name was suggested by the Connétable of St Helier, Simon Crowcroft, who hopes the visit will contribute to the ambition to build Jersey’s relationship with the State.
Connétable Crowcroft said: “In 2014, I was asked by the Chief Minister to represent the island at the 350th anniversary of the founding of New Jersey. This is when it occurred to me that there would be merit in recognising the historic links between Jersey and New Jersey, by naming a square in each of the two capital towns.
“The significant contribution Jersey played in the foundation of the most densely populated state of America is not as well-known as it could be, and I am hopeful that this small step may lead to all kinds of beneficial links between our Island and New Jersey in the future.”
An inauguration ceremony for Trenton Square will be opened by a representative of the Jersey Development Company (JDC) at 3pm on Wednesday 8 May. Trenton Square has been delivered by JDC as part of its development of the International Finance Centre. JDC’s Managing Director, Lee Henry, said “Trenton Square is a significant new area of public realm and we are delighted that this development is providing high quality public spaces alongside Grade A office space.”
Connétable Crowcroft and Mayor Gusciora will both speak at the event and a plaque will be unveiled. Connétable Crowcroft hopes that, following the visit, the city of Trenton will create a new area of open space named after St Helier.
The New Jersey delegation will attend the island’s Liberation Day celebrations, at the invitation of the Bailiff. They will also meet politicians, representatives from the digital sector and will have an opportunity to tour Mont Orgueil Castle, which gifted an altar stone to Trenton’s Trinity Cathedral in the 1950s.
Jersey’s Minister for External Relations, Senator Ian Gorst, said: “I am very pleased to welcome the New Jersey delegation to the Island this week. The close relations established by the Connétable’s visit to New Jersey for their 350th anniversary will be marked by our new Trenton Square.
“The island has strong historical links with New Jersey, and I hope this visit leads to the development of broader links for the island of Jersey with both the State of New Jersey, and the United States of America.”
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