Jones Lang LaSalle
Downtown redevelopment projects take shape
Stephanie Wynalek/Correspondent
Posted: 5/1/06
New construction will add to the New Brunswick skyline in the coming years, whether with a building about to close its concrete skeleton or another yet to break ground.
New Brunswick Development Corporation, commonly known as Devco, is responsible for two of the largest projects downtown, the Heldrich Plaza and the Gateway project, which is still in early development. A major development for the city, the $110 million Heldrich Plaza will include a 254-room hotel, 32 condominium units, a 50,000 square foot conference center, 8,000 square feet of street-level retail space and the John J. Heldrich Center for Workforce Development. Construction on the Heldrich, which is located between Livingston Avenue and George Street, began last fall and has progressed toward its scheduled completion next spring.
Since the year began, the project has been built to its full height, and the outer brick façade is being put in place. "We anticipate the Heldrich being entirely enclosed, with the complete outer façade and roof, within the next month," said Merissa Buczny, vice president of Devco. "Windows are starting to be put in, and interior plumbing is being installed as well. Students will notice the progress in the project when they return in the fall.
"The $130 million Gateway project is "still in the predevelopment stages," Buczny said. Scheduled for completion in 2008, the Gateway will provide a mixed-use space and will be connected to the train station platform. The project will be the city's tallest building, and will include 24 stories of luxury residences, a 34,000 square foot bookstore, retail space, restaurants and the new Rutgers Visitors Center. The Gateway will be built on Somerset Street, where New Jersey Books currently stands. The store's owner has said he is not pleased with the plan for the project and has challenged the city's declaration that the area is suitable for redevelopment.
According to city spokesman Bill Bray, "The city is meeting with the owner of New Jersey Books to settle his concerns. We will find a new location for the business that will be as good or even better." Buczny said the redevelopment plan for Gateway was approved by the city last month, and Devco will be working with the city, the University and New Jersey Transit over the summer. She said that no hard construction will have started when students return in the fall.
"The project will be a hub of activity right next to the train station and will bring in additional revenue for the city and provide more incentive for visitors," Bray said. "Also, when students who are graduating now return in a few years as alumni with families, they won't want to go to their old college haunts. Projects like the Gateway ensure a good alumni experience." Students will notice a new patch of green in the center of the city when they return in the fall, however. The city will redesign Monument Square over the summer, which will be a noticeable change when the fall semester begins."It will be restored to a grassier, landscaped area with benches," Bray said, adding, "The statue will remain in the same location, but will be moved closer to the ground on a new pedestal.
The current fountain and concrete will also be removed, providing a nice pocket park in the center of downtown."Other developments in progress downtown include Fulton Square, a townhouse condominium project on Commercial Avenue, a project involving retail and residences to be located across from Rockoff Hall and various additional mixed-use and residential developments. Students will also be able to occupy condominiums and public parking on Spring Street later in the year, on what used to be a New Brunswick Parking Authority site. "The city has made a lot of progress since the beginning of last fall," Bray said, "The downtown area continues to be revitalized."
© Copyright 2006 The Daily Targum
Downtown redevelopment projects take shape
Stephanie Wynalek/Correspondent
Posted: 5/1/06
New construction will add to the New Brunswick skyline in the coming years, whether with a building about to close its concrete skeleton or another yet to break ground.
New Brunswick Development Corporation, commonly known as Devco, is responsible for two of the largest projects downtown, the Heldrich Plaza and the Gateway project, which is still in early development. A major development for the city, the $110 million Heldrich Plaza will include a 254-room hotel, 32 condominium units, a 50,000 square foot conference center, 8,000 square feet of street-level retail space and the John J. Heldrich Center for Workforce Development. Construction on the Heldrich, which is located between Livingston Avenue and George Street, began last fall and has progressed toward its scheduled completion next spring.
Since the year began, the project has been built to its full height, and the outer brick façade is being put in place. "We anticipate the Heldrich being entirely enclosed, with the complete outer façade and roof, within the next month," said Merissa Buczny, vice president of Devco. "Windows are starting to be put in, and interior plumbing is being installed as well. Students will notice the progress in the project when they return in the fall.
"The $130 million Gateway project is "still in the predevelopment stages," Buczny said. Scheduled for completion in 2008, the Gateway will provide a mixed-use space and will be connected to the train station platform. The project will be the city's tallest building, and will include 24 stories of luxury residences, a 34,000 square foot bookstore, retail space, restaurants and the new Rutgers Visitors Center. The Gateway will be built on Somerset Street, where New Jersey Books currently stands. The store's owner has said he is not pleased with the plan for the project and has challenged the city's declaration that the area is suitable for redevelopment.
According to city spokesman Bill Bray, "The city is meeting with the owner of New Jersey Books to settle his concerns. We will find a new location for the business that will be as good or even better." Buczny said the redevelopment plan for Gateway was approved by the city last month, and Devco will be working with the city, the University and New Jersey Transit over the summer. She said that no hard construction will have started when students return in the fall.
"The project will be a hub of activity right next to the train station and will bring in additional revenue for the city and provide more incentive for visitors," Bray said. "Also, when students who are graduating now return in a few years as alumni with families, they won't want to go to their old college haunts. Projects like the Gateway ensure a good alumni experience." Students will notice a new patch of green in the center of the city when they return in the fall, however. The city will redesign Monument Square over the summer, which will be a noticeable change when the fall semester begins."It will be restored to a grassier, landscaped area with benches," Bray said, adding, "The statue will remain in the same location, but will be moved closer to the ground on a new pedestal.
The current fountain and concrete will also be removed, providing a nice pocket park in the center of downtown."Other developments in progress downtown include Fulton Square, a townhouse condominium project on Commercial Avenue, a project involving retail and residences to be located across from Rockoff Hall and various additional mixed-use and residential developments. Students will also be able to occupy condominiums and public parking on Spring Street later in the year, on what used to be a New Brunswick Parking Authority site. "The city has made a lot of progress since the beginning of last fall," Bray said, "The downtown area continues to be revitalized."
© Copyright 2006 The Daily Targum
posted by Jones Lang LaSalle NJ News Blog at 9:45 AM
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