PATERSON, N.J. — The casket was never lowered. It was never closed. The body lay exposed at the intersection of Liberty and Maple, ravaged by age and apathy, inviting sorrow and scorn. It rested there for more than two decades, collecting dust and graffiti and urine. It was conquered by trees and weeds, bursting through bleachers to become the defining feature of an art deco landmark with red terracotta roof tiles and gabled towers. Locker rooms used by Josh Gibson and Satchel Paige were hideaways for the homeless. Concession stands were the perfect place to get high.

Locals largely knew Hinchliffe Stadium — one of two former Negro leagues stadiums still standing — as a defunct high school sports venue. The kids across the street at Paterson Public School No. 5 were accustomed to the immovable eyesore, begging for renovation or euthanasia. 

“When they looked outside the window, what they saw was decay and decline,” Paterson mayor Andre Sayegh said. “They have no knowledge of what this once was.”

Now they know.