Jones Lang LaSalle
Mayor stresses redevelopment
By Catherine Galioto-Snipe/Acting News Editor
Published: 2/8/
Through the windows of the Catherine Lombardi Italian-American restaurant came heavy symbolism from New Brunswick Mayor James Cahill's State of the City address.
The restaurant, a member of the city's Urban Enterprise Zone, shows the successes of its special 3 percent tax rate and employment initiatives, Cahill said.
As he spoke, the view behind Cahill encompassed the rising concrete skeleton of Heldrich Plaza.
"The 11-story $110 million Heldrich Project is one of our state's most ambitious and significant mixed-use development in decades," Cahill said.
Sitting at the crossroads of Livingston Avenue and New Street, planners and city officials hope Heldrich Plaza will emerge as a major hub of city activity.
The construction began with a 2003 groundbreaking and is slated for completion in early 2007.
The structure will encompass the new John J. Heldrich Center for Workforce Development, as well as luxury condominiums, classroom and office space, street level retail space and a deluxe hotel, spa and conference center, according to its planner, the New Brunswick Development Corporation.
Adding to the UEZ and moving forward on redevelopment projects were the two cornerstones of Cahill's speech, which also addressed property taxes, primary education and the Route 18 construction.
Taking further inspiration from his restaurant surroundings, Cahill laced his speech with culinary puns that brought laughter from an eatery packed with city and county officials, citizens groups and press.
Cahill called steps taken from last year to the present part of a "recipe for success," despite controversy over some of the more aggressive parts of the College Avenue redesign.
Devco is also proposing a Gateway Project for Somerset and Easton Avenues.The plan is to build a 330-foot tower as part of a new initiative to improve the physical appearance of the College Avenue campus.
It is one of several million-dollar initiatives planned between the city and the University.
New Jersey Books owner Ed Mueller - whose property is also slated for redevelopment - filed suit against the city this fall claiming the plan is a violation of his ownership rights.
The mayor also pushed plans for the Health Sciences Center, which will include two buildings to be constructed between Paterson and Bayard streets.
One building would include the Institute for Health and clinic space for the Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology. The other building would be home to the New Brunswick campus' College of Nursing. It would also include clinic space for the Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy.
These are not the only partnerships between city and University, Cahill said."With an ambitious mix of ingredients including academic, residential and mass transit improvement, our city - in partnership with Rutgers- will work together to begin creating a long-term mutually beneficial revitalization of the College Avenue community and New Brunswick's 5th and 6th wards," Cahill said.
Another project Cahill spoke of is the Public Safety Building, which will move the Rutgers University Police Department from the end of George Street to the center of it, on the corner of Commercial Avenue.
Besides collaborative initiatives with the University, the city is looking to get the Handy street area a supermarket and improve housing throughout the city. Housing improvement efforts include a partnership with Mount Zion African Methodist Episcopal Church and Leewood Real Estate Group of Trenton for a townhouse community in the Remsen Avenue neighborhood.
Along New Street, new condominium and rental space will emerge through the Metropolitan - one of several mixed use projects that blend housing with retail and parking components.
Another is Raritan Heights, near the Loews movie theater, which also includes transportation changes that will remove the lengthy U-turn to get to the theater.
Despite being shut down for investigation, the dredging of the Raritan River is back on track, Cahill said.
These and other multi-million dollar projects add up to more than $300 million in redevelopment projects spanning several wards of the city.
Cahill emphasized the use of UEZ and federal and state grants to offset new projects as well as ongoing ones. Through UEZ, money raised by the lower tax rate is earmarked by the state to pay for city projects, instead of combining it with the rest of the state's revenue.
It also rewards UEZ businesses for employing New Brunswick residents.City spokesman Bill Bray said the long list of projects exists because city officials will not rest on their laurels."How can you have too much employment, too much achievement?" Bray said.
However, the city government may face a major hurdle in the state budget deficit. State funding to the city may be at risk, Cahill said.
New Brunswick may face tough choices and have to exercise fiscal prudence, Cahill said, but he still hopes to address property tax issues.
City property taxes increased last year but by the third lowest increase in the county."I remain firmly committed to lessening the burden to our property taxpayers again this year," Cahill said.
Through the windows of the Catherine Lombardi Italian-American restaurant came heavy symbolism from New Brunswick Mayor James Cahill's State of the City address.The restaurant, a member of the city's Urban Enterprise Zone, shows the successes of its special 3 percent tax rate and employment initiatives, Cahill said.
As he spoke, the view behind Cahill encompassed the rising concrete skeleton of Heldrich Plaza."The 11-story $110 million Heldrich Project is one of our state's most ambitious and significant mixed-use development in decades," Cahill said.
Sitting at the crossroads of Livingston Avenue and New Street, planners and city officials hope Heldrich Plaza will emerge as a major hub of city activity.
The construction began with a 2003 groundbreaking and is slated for completion in early 2007.The structure will encompass the new John J. Heldrich Center for Workforce Development, as well as luxury condominiums, classroom and office space, street level retail space and a deluxe hotel, spa and conference center, according to its planner, the New Brunswick Development Corporation.
Adding to the UEZ and moving forward on redevelopment projects were the two cornerstones of Cahill's speech, which also addressed property taxes, primary education and the Route 18 construction.Taking further inspiration from his restaurant surroundings, Cahill laced his speech with culinary puns that brought laughter from an eatery packed with city and county officials, citizens groups and press.
Cahill called steps taken from last year to the present part of a "recipe for success," despite controversy over some of the more aggressive parts of the College Avenue redesign.
Devco is also proposing a Gateway Project for Somerset and Easton Avenues.The plan is to build a 330-foot tower as part of a new initiative to improve the physical appearance of the College Avenue campus.It is one of several million-dollar initiatives planned between the city and the University.
New Jersey Books owner Ed Mueller - whose property is also slated for redevelopment - filed suit against the city this fall claiming the plan is a violation of his ownership rights.
The mayor also pushed plans for the Health Sciences Center, which will include two buildings to be constructed between Paterson and Bayard streets. One building would include the Institute for Health and clinic space for the Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology. The other building would be home to the New Brunswick campus' College of Nursing. It would also include clinic space for the Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy.
These are not the only partnerships between city and University, Cahill said."With an ambitious mix of ingredients including academic, residential and mass transit improvement, our city - in partnership with Rutgers- will work together to begin creating a long-term mutually beneficial revitalization of the College Avenue community and New Brunswick's 5th and 6th wards," Cahill said.
Another project Cahill spoke of is the Public Safety Building, which will move the Rutgers University Police Department from the end of George Street to the center of it, on the corner of Commercial Avenue.
Besides collaborative initiatives with the University, the city is looking to get the Handy street area a supermarket and improve housing throughout the city. Housing improvement efforts include a partnership with Mount Zion African Methodist Episcopal Church and Leewood Real Estate Group of Trenton for a townhouse community in the Remsen Avenue neighborhood.
Along New Street, new condominium and rental space will emerge through the Metropolitan - one of several mixed use projects that blend housing with retail and parking components.
Another is Raritan Heights, near the Loews movie theater, which also includes transportation changes that will remove the lengthy U-turn to get to the theater.Despite being shut down for investigation, the dredging of the Raritan River is back on track, Cahill said.
These and other multi-million dollar projects add up to more than $300 million in redevelopment projects spanning several wards of the city.
Cahill emphasized the use of UEZ and federal and state grants to offset new projects as well as ongoing ones. Through UEZ, money raised by the lower tax rate is earmarked by the state to pay for city projects, instead of combining it with the rest of the state's revenue.
It also rewards UEZ businesses for employing New Brunswick residents.City spokesman Bill Bray said the long list of projects exists because city officials will not rest on their laurels."How can you have too much employment, too much achievement?" Bray said.
However, the city government may face a major hurdle in the state budget deficit. State funding to the city may be at risk, Cahill said.
New Brunswick may face tough choices and have to exercise fiscal prudence, Cahill said, but he still hopes to address property tax issues.City property taxes increased last year but by the third lowest increase in the county."I remain firmly committed to lessening the burden to our property taxpayers again this year," Cahill said.
Mayor stresses redevelopment
By Catherine Galioto-Snipe/Acting News Editor
Published: 2/8/
Through the windows of the Catherine Lombardi Italian-American restaurant came heavy symbolism from New Brunswick Mayor James Cahill's State of the City address.
The restaurant, a member of the city's Urban Enterprise Zone, shows the successes of its special 3 percent tax rate and employment initiatives, Cahill said.
As he spoke, the view behind Cahill encompassed the rising concrete skeleton of Heldrich Plaza.
"The 11-story $110 million Heldrich Project is one of our state's most ambitious and significant mixed-use development in decades," Cahill said.
Sitting at the crossroads of Livingston Avenue and New Street, planners and city officials hope Heldrich Plaza will emerge as a major hub of city activity.
The construction began with a 2003 groundbreaking and is slated for completion in early 2007.
The structure will encompass the new John J. Heldrich Center for Workforce Development, as well as luxury condominiums, classroom and office space, street level retail space and a deluxe hotel, spa and conference center, according to its planner, the New Brunswick Development Corporation.
Adding to the UEZ and moving forward on redevelopment projects were the two cornerstones of Cahill's speech, which also addressed property taxes, primary education and the Route 18 construction.
Taking further inspiration from his restaurant surroundings, Cahill laced his speech with culinary puns that brought laughter from an eatery packed with city and county officials, citizens groups and press.
Cahill called steps taken from last year to the present part of a "recipe for success," despite controversy over some of the more aggressive parts of the College Avenue redesign.
Devco is also proposing a Gateway Project for Somerset and Easton Avenues.The plan is to build a 330-foot tower as part of a new initiative to improve the physical appearance of the College Avenue campus.
It is one of several million-dollar initiatives planned between the city and the University.
New Jersey Books owner Ed Mueller - whose property is also slated for redevelopment - filed suit against the city this fall claiming the plan is a violation of his ownership rights.
The mayor also pushed plans for the Health Sciences Center, which will include two buildings to be constructed between Paterson and Bayard streets.
One building would include the Institute for Health and clinic space for the Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology. The other building would be home to the New Brunswick campus' College of Nursing. It would also include clinic space for the Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy.
These are not the only partnerships between city and University, Cahill said."With an ambitious mix of ingredients including academic, residential and mass transit improvement, our city - in partnership with Rutgers- will work together to begin creating a long-term mutually beneficial revitalization of the College Avenue community and New Brunswick's 5th and 6th wards," Cahill said.
Another project Cahill spoke of is the Public Safety Building, which will move the Rutgers University Police Department from the end of George Street to the center of it, on the corner of Commercial Avenue.
Besides collaborative initiatives with the University, the city is looking to get the Handy street area a supermarket and improve housing throughout the city. Housing improvement efforts include a partnership with Mount Zion African Methodist Episcopal Church and Leewood Real Estate Group of Trenton for a townhouse community in the Remsen Avenue neighborhood.
Along New Street, new condominium and rental space will emerge through the Metropolitan - one of several mixed use projects that blend housing with retail and parking components.
Another is Raritan Heights, near the Loews movie theater, which also includes transportation changes that will remove the lengthy U-turn to get to the theater.
Despite being shut down for investigation, the dredging of the Raritan River is back on track, Cahill said.
These and other multi-million dollar projects add up to more than $300 million in redevelopment projects spanning several wards of the city.
Cahill emphasized the use of UEZ and federal and state grants to offset new projects as well as ongoing ones. Through UEZ, money raised by the lower tax rate is earmarked by the state to pay for city projects, instead of combining it with the rest of the state's revenue.
It also rewards UEZ businesses for employing New Brunswick residents.City spokesman Bill Bray said the long list of projects exists because city officials will not rest on their laurels."How can you have too much employment, too much achievement?" Bray said.
However, the city government may face a major hurdle in the state budget deficit. State funding to the city may be at risk, Cahill said.
New Brunswick may face tough choices and have to exercise fiscal prudence, Cahill said, but he still hopes to address property tax issues.
City property taxes increased last year but by the third lowest increase in the county."I remain firmly committed to lessening the burden to our property taxpayers again this year," Cahill said.
Through the windows of the Catherine Lombardi Italian-American restaurant came heavy symbolism from New Brunswick Mayor James Cahill's State of the City address.The restaurant, a member of the city's Urban Enterprise Zone, shows the successes of its special 3 percent tax rate and employment initiatives, Cahill said.
As he spoke, the view behind Cahill encompassed the rising concrete skeleton of Heldrich Plaza."The 11-story $110 million Heldrich Project is one of our state's most ambitious and significant mixed-use development in decades," Cahill said.
Sitting at the crossroads of Livingston Avenue and New Street, planners and city officials hope Heldrich Plaza will emerge as a major hub of city activity.
The construction began with a 2003 groundbreaking and is slated for completion in early 2007.The structure will encompass the new John J. Heldrich Center for Workforce Development, as well as luxury condominiums, classroom and office space, street level retail space and a deluxe hotel, spa and conference center, according to its planner, the New Brunswick Development Corporation.
Adding to the UEZ and moving forward on redevelopment projects were the two cornerstones of Cahill's speech, which also addressed property taxes, primary education and the Route 18 construction.Taking further inspiration from his restaurant surroundings, Cahill laced his speech with culinary puns that brought laughter from an eatery packed with city and county officials, citizens groups and press.
Cahill called steps taken from last year to the present part of a "recipe for success," despite controversy over some of the more aggressive parts of the College Avenue redesign.
Devco is also proposing a Gateway Project for Somerset and Easton Avenues.The plan is to build a 330-foot tower as part of a new initiative to improve the physical appearance of the College Avenue campus.It is one of several million-dollar initiatives planned between the city and the University.
New Jersey Books owner Ed Mueller - whose property is also slated for redevelopment - filed suit against the city this fall claiming the plan is a violation of his ownership rights.
The mayor also pushed plans for the Health Sciences Center, which will include two buildings to be constructed between Paterson and Bayard streets. One building would include the Institute for Health and clinic space for the Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology. The other building would be home to the New Brunswick campus' College of Nursing. It would also include clinic space for the Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy.
These are not the only partnerships between city and University, Cahill said."With an ambitious mix of ingredients including academic, residential and mass transit improvement, our city - in partnership with Rutgers- will work together to begin creating a long-term mutually beneficial revitalization of the College Avenue community and New Brunswick's 5th and 6th wards," Cahill said.
Another project Cahill spoke of is the Public Safety Building, which will move the Rutgers University Police Department from the end of George Street to the center of it, on the corner of Commercial Avenue.
Besides collaborative initiatives with the University, the city is looking to get the Handy street area a supermarket and improve housing throughout the city. Housing improvement efforts include a partnership with Mount Zion African Methodist Episcopal Church and Leewood Real Estate Group of Trenton for a townhouse community in the Remsen Avenue neighborhood.
Along New Street, new condominium and rental space will emerge through the Metropolitan - one of several mixed use projects that blend housing with retail and parking components.
Another is Raritan Heights, near the Loews movie theater, which also includes transportation changes that will remove the lengthy U-turn to get to the theater.Despite being shut down for investigation, the dredging of the Raritan River is back on track, Cahill said.
These and other multi-million dollar projects add up to more than $300 million in redevelopment projects spanning several wards of the city.
Cahill emphasized the use of UEZ and federal and state grants to offset new projects as well as ongoing ones. Through UEZ, money raised by the lower tax rate is earmarked by the state to pay for city projects, instead of combining it with the rest of the state's revenue.
It also rewards UEZ businesses for employing New Brunswick residents.City spokesman Bill Bray said the long list of projects exists because city officials will not rest on their laurels."How can you have too much employment, too much achievement?" Bray said.
However, the city government may face a major hurdle in the state budget deficit. State funding to the city may be at risk, Cahill said.
New Brunswick may face tough choices and have to exercise fiscal prudence, Cahill said, but he still hopes to address property tax issues.City property taxes increased last year but by the third lowest increase in the county."I remain firmly committed to lessening the burden to our property taxpayers again this year," Cahill said.
posted by Jones Lang LaSalle NJ News Blog at 10:34 AM
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