Which North Jersey city has the best downtown area?

Is it along Hoboken's Washington Street or in Historic Downtown Jersey City? How about Montclair Center or Downtown Morristown.

The New Jersey Chapter of the American Planning Association is posing that question to the public in its 2014 People's Choice Awards for outstanding downtowns.

In July, the APA-NJ invited the public to nominate its favorite downtowns and then had panelists select a group of 10 cities as finalists. From that group, three will earn the distinction as having the best downtown in North, Central and South Jersey.

You can help your local neighborhood by voting online now by visiting www.njplanning.org/news/peoples-choice-awards.

The panelists considered how well a city's downtown area functions as the centerpiece of everyday life for local residents, its reputation beyond the community's boundaries, available options for transportation and support from community members to gain, maintain and develop businesses.

"Hoboken has become the fastest-growing city in New Jersey because people want to live in vibrant...transit-rich communities," said Mayor Dawn Zimmer. "We're honored to be a finalist in this competition to recognize the great downtown's in New Jersey."

The APA named Hoboken's Washington Street a Great Street in 2010 and Hoboken's south waterfront a Great Place in New Jersey in 2013.

The APA website says Hoboken was nominated for being "incredibly walkable," having a wide-range of shops (including the famous Carlos' Bakery), outdoor cafes, outdoor events like movies in the park, bars, a gorgeous waterfront park, an easily accessible NJ Transit station, and walkways with the awing views of New York.

Historic Downtown Jersey City, meanwhile, has recently made a significant change to compete with the Mile Square City.

"We are excited that Jersey City is a finalist for this award that recognizes smart urban planning for downtowns," Mayor Steve Fulop said. "As we continue to redevelop areas of Jersey City such as Journal Square, McGinley Square and Bergen-Lafayette, we will use thoughtful urban planning to create a greater sense of community and be a design leader."

This past Tuesday, the city unveiled a new pedestrian plaza on a stretch of Newark Avenue by the Grove Street PATH station that offers a place away from the bustling traffic where residents can enjoy local restaurants outside or simply take a pleasant stroll in the street.

"This is a great idea," said Jacquelen Walton, 59, of Jersey City on the first day of the plazas opening. "Just like in New York."

The finalists for the best downtown area in Central Jersey are Downtown Asbury Park, Downtown Red Bank and Downtown Somerville. Downtown Haddon Avenue in Collingswood, the Glasstown Arts District in Millville and Ocean City's Asbury Avenue are all competing for South Jersey's crown.

The online poll will close at midnight on Sept. 26 and participants may only vote once. The winner, which will be announced early in October, will receive a plaque at a local award ceremony and bragging rights.