Possibly reconfiguring one downtown intersection, the revival of canoe races in the Rahway River, more downtown parking and exploring more senior affordable housing, were among the initiatives announced last night during the Rahway State of the City by Mayor Raymond Giacobbe, Jr.
Giacobbe, a Democrat, delivered his third State of the City address at the Hamilton Stage for Performing Arts, reviewing 2019 accomplishments for about 30 minutes before launching into various initiatives planned for the upcoming year during his 43-minute address. Plans for 2019 include:
- The downtown surveillance camera system, which was piloted in 2018 and also provides free WiFi, will be expanded throughout downtown.
- Potentially reconfiguring one downtown intersection (Poplar and Main streets, where phase two of The Mint is expected to break ground this year).
- Exploring additional affordable housing for senior citizens.
- Dedication of banners on Memorial Day to honor local veterans, going back to the Revolutionary War.
- A redevelopment plan for a triangle on the northern end of downtown, centered around the arts center.
Giacobbe touched on other plans, like focusing events around the Rahway River, namely an inaugural canoe race, in partnership with the Rahway River Watershed Association (RRWA).
The mayor also mentioned that a new executive director was appointed for the Rahway Arts and Business Partnership (RABP): Cindy Solomon, who also serves as director of the city’s Division of Planning, and deputy executive director of the Redevelopment Agency. He also created an ad hoc historic preservation committee.
In reviewing accomplishments over the past year, Giacobbe said some 440 new residential units opened in 2019. As for this year, in addition to the second phase of The Mint expected to begin, the first phase of The Brownstones on Elizabeth and West Grand avenues is expected to be completed this year.
The city also welcomed 60 new businesses in 2019, according to Giacobbe, including Artscroll, the world’s largest publisher of Judaic books, which acquired the former Swim ‘N’ Play site on Regina Avenue, thanks in part to a state tax credit. That’s up from 34 mentioned last year’s SOTC (though there was no mention of how many businesses closed during the same time period).
Giacobbe said the city is aiming to maximize parking resources successfully to ensure the viability of local businesses. As part of the city’s comprehensive parking plan, bump-outs along East Cherry Street will be eliminated to create more parking, and the Rahway valet Park and Go program will be extended. A surface parking lot also will be explored near Main Street and Milton Avenue, he said.
