Two cannabis cultivation and/or manufacturing sites could be coming to the city, including one aiming to locate at the former Galaxy Diner.
All posts by rahwayrising@gmail.com
First phase of Meridia Brownstones completed
The first phase of Meridia Brownstones at Elizabeth and West Grand avenues is complete, with some issues to be resolved before the remaining 40% of Temporary Certificates of Occupancy (TCO) are granted.
Continue reading First phase of Meridia Brownstones completed
Phase two of The Mint under way, targets 2023
The 108-unit second phase of a two-building development downtown has begun construction with a completion timeline of 2023.
Continue reading Phase two of The Mint under way, targets 2023
Downtown vision plan delayed
The draft of a strategic plan to establish an overall vision for downtown that had been anticipated to be made public soon has been pushed back by at least a month or so.
Water rate increase on tap
City Council is poised to set annual water rates for the next 10 years that would include annual increases of 5%.
RSI Bank acquired by Columbia Bank
RSI Bank, which has operated in Rahway since 1851, has been acquired by Columbia Bank.
Former Burger King could become wine shop
A former Burger King property on Routes 1/9 received use variances that would allow a liquor store and office space on the property.
A conversation with new UCPAC Executive Director Craig Sumberg
Craig Sumberg started in September as the new executive director of the Union County Performing Arts Center (UCPAC) — the same week that Hurricane Ida came through town and left Hamilton Stage under water. In this episode, I sit down for a conversation with Sumberg in his office about his first few months on the job. Among our topics:
- The outlook for Hamilton Stage and the financial impact of it closing [3:01];
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Early fundraising efforts and his plans for the center [4:22], how that will drive better programming [9:25] and what donors can do [25:02];
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Where he sees UCPAC fit among other arts facilities in the area [6:42] and hiring a talent buyer to secure shows [7:27];
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The biggest challenges for UCPAC going forward [20:47]; and,
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Is there such a thing as “Central Jersey” [25:25]?
“I believe we play an important role in the community both in Rahway and in Union County,” Sumberg said. “I want people who live within 30 miles of us to know that we’re here.”
Opened in 1928, the 1,334-seat UCPAC was acquired by Union Countyin 2006 for $1.3 million. The facility underwent a $6-million expansion and renovation in 2008.
“We’re going to have to find our niche. That’s going to take some poking around,” Sumberg said, including recently hiring a talent buyer, Stamford, Conn.-based Music Without Borders. “There’s room in New Jersey, though a very competitive market, for UCPAC to do more significant programming. And I very much believe that that fundraising dollars and memberships dollars will go hand in hand with better programming.”
To make a donation, click hereor visithttps://ucpac.org/donate/
Sumberg briefly served as executive director of the 15-year-old South Orange Performing Arts Center (SOPAC) last year before the pandemic forced layoffs at thefacility. He led the Fox Tucson Theatre Foundation in downtown Tucson, Ariz., where he was credited with growing the budget from $600,000 to almost $5 million. Previously, he was senior vice president for resource development for the Jewish Federation of Southern Arizona. He also was executive director of the Sixth & I Historic Synagogue, a 900-seat arts and culture center in Washington, D.C.
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