The Paterson Downtown Commercial Historic District contains 211 contributing buildings. Its period of significance extends from 1850 to 1935. The district includes buildings used for commerce, office, government, civic and cultural activities. The district contains examples of Beaux Arts, Romanesque Revival, Late Gothic Revival, Moderne, and Second Empire architectural styles.

The current Trust grant will help fund design guidelines that will provide information to business and real estate owners, to encourage thoughtful renovations that take historic character into consideration.