PATERSON — The century-old steam plant that Mayor Andre Sayegh wants to convert into a new Great Falls visitor center remains vacant this summer — as it has been for decades.

There had been ambitious $23 million plans for a prestigious museum firm to design "dynamic and interactive exhibitions, integrated indoor/outdoor space, hands-on activities, and digital multimedia."

But about five years ago, the groups working on the project couldn't get the funding they needed from the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (EDA).

For a while, Sayegh's visitor center dream remained in limbo, until a new partner joined the group, Montclair State University.

By serving as "operator" of the visitor center, Montclair State made the project eligible for a different state tax credit funding source, New Jersey's Cultural and Arts Facilities Expansion, known as CAFE.

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The partners submitted their CAFE funding application in early August of 2025.

"Since then, the project partners have responded to several requests from NJEDA for clarification and additional information," said Andrew Mees, an assistant vice president at Montclair State. "We submitted our most recent response last month and are currently awaiting NJEDA's decision.

Of course, it's also possible that the EDA wil have some more questions. The process for EDA tax credit applications tends to be far from transparent. Only after projects get approved does the state authority release details.

Sayegh did not respond to an email seeking his comments for this story.

Stephanie Cullins, of the Hamilton Partnership for Paterson, said with the potential changes, the visitor center will "virtually be the same size but with modifications to the design that will reduce overall construction costs."

"These projects take time, but we're proud of the progress that's been made behind the scenes," Cullins said. "Every partnership strengthened and every planning milestone brings us one step closer to creating a visitor center that will serve as a hub for history, education, and community engagement for generations to come."

Darren Boch, the National Park Service's superintendent for the Great Falls, said, "We hope this partnership culminates in a new visitor center that provides amenities and anchors the park's interpretive and educational programming."

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Great Falls visitor center, Paterson mayor's dream, still on hold