CityWorks in the Press
Neptune Redevelopment Will Serve As Model for Neighboring Towns
Published in the Asbury Park Press 07/7/05
BY TOM CLARK
For too long, economic blight has been allowed to maintain its hold on New Jersey's small urban centers. In the case of Neptune, West Lake Avenue in the township's Midtown neighborhood has seen decades of deterioration and neglect. But the once-active commercial strip can be brought back to life.
With the support of Neptune Township's mayor and committee, as well as the nonprofit, community development corporation Midtown Urban Renaissance Corp., the pieces are in place to revitalize the portion of West Lake Avenue that used to be home to several businesses.
The goal is to create a strong commercial base to support a strong residential neighborhood, because these two aspects of community life are inextricably linked. Midtown residents will reap the benefits of a thriving West Lake Avenue, as will the citizens of Neptune who live nearby.
Meeting the shopping and service needs of local residents will enhance the economic value and quality of life of the area, and will serve as a model for nearby communities.
But because stores and restaurants once operated on this section of West Lake Avenue does not mean that recreating a commercially viable strip is an easy task. It's important to consider residents' needs and concerns and know when to turn to public or private entities to make the project a success.
As the executive director of CityWorks, the nonprofit development corporation that has been selected by the Neptune governing body to oversee the West Lake Avenue project, I am committed to making it work. Our plan is to respect and encourage local input, while bringing in the most appropriate experts, financing programs and, ultimately, commercial tenants.
CityWorks was formed after several foundations and individuals with a commitment to urban redevelopment determined that the problem with many revitalization plans in New Jersey was that they were limited to residential projects and did not consider the need to simultaneously provide commercial and retail services. The foundations agreed to provide start-up funds for CityWorks, and the New Jersey Economic Development Authority also became a funding source.
The CityWorks Board of Trustees, consisting of longtime developers, financial professionals and individuals who have worked in the nonprofit sector and on urban redevelopment for many years, was created to provide expertise on projects. The board's goal is to construct commercial and residential projects, so as to complete the circle that creates a true urban neighborhood with a solid base for growth and self-sufficiency and plenty of community pride.
In the case of West Lake Avenue, we will work to establish a small commercial center through the construction of new buildings that will house retail and commercial outlets that meet residents' needs, as well as residential units.
CityWorks has already commissioned a market study to identify the economic advantages of the Midtown area. Meetings with local residents and a CityWorks presence on West Lake Avenue are planned for the near future. A Web site has been developed to keep residents apprised of the project and encourage feedback through its interactive design. It can be accessed through our Web site (http://www.ecityworks.com/) or the Neptune Township website (http://www.neptunetownship.org/). Soon, the Web site also will be available to residents through a computer that will be installed at a location on West Lake Avenue.
Proof that this project is a reality and not a pipe dream will come on Monday, when an uninhabited, deteriorating building near the corner of West Lake and Myrtle Avenues will be demolished. Neptune Mayor Thomas Catley and CityWorks will be present to kick off the redevelopment project.
This is an exciting time for the Midtown neighborhood and for the township. As we have seen in other locales, successful commercial redevelopment not only energizes the local community but also provides an impetus for development throughout the area. We expect West Lake Avenue to be a model for inclusive and appropriate revitalization efforts that serve local residents well, help make the community stronger and remove urban blight from New Jersey's landscape.
Tom Clark is executive director of CityWorks Inc., Trenton
Published in the Asbury Park Press 07/7/05
BY TOM CLARK
For too long, economic blight has been allowed to maintain its hold on New Jersey's small urban centers. In the case of Neptune, West Lake Avenue in the township's Midtown neighborhood has seen decades of deterioration and neglect. But the once-active commercial strip can be brought back to life.
With the support of Neptune Township's mayor and committee, as well as the nonprofit, community development corporation Midtown Urban Renaissance Corp., the pieces are in place to revitalize the portion of West Lake Avenue that used to be home to several businesses.
The goal is to create a strong commercial base to support a strong residential neighborhood, because these two aspects of community life are inextricably linked. Midtown residents will reap the benefits of a thriving West Lake Avenue, as will the citizens of Neptune who live nearby.
Meeting the shopping and service needs of local residents will enhance the economic value and quality of life of the area, and will serve as a model for nearby communities.
But because stores and restaurants once operated on this section of West Lake Avenue does not mean that recreating a commercially viable strip is an easy task. It's important to consider residents' needs and concerns and know when to turn to public or private entities to make the project a success.
As the executive director of CityWorks, the nonprofit development corporation that has been selected by the Neptune governing body to oversee the West Lake Avenue project, I am committed to making it work. Our plan is to respect and encourage local input, while bringing in the most appropriate experts, financing programs and, ultimately, commercial tenants.
CityWorks was formed after several foundations and individuals with a commitment to urban redevelopment determined that the problem with many revitalization plans in New Jersey was that they were limited to residential projects and did not consider the need to simultaneously provide commercial and retail services. The foundations agreed to provide start-up funds for CityWorks, and the New Jersey Economic Development Authority also became a funding source.
The CityWorks Board of Trustees, consisting of longtime developers, financial professionals and individuals who have worked in the nonprofit sector and on urban redevelopment for many years, was created to provide expertise on projects. The board's goal is to construct commercial and residential projects, so as to complete the circle that creates a true urban neighborhood with a solid base for growth and self-sufficiency and plenty of community pride.
In the case of West Lake Avenue, we will work to establish a small commercial center through the construction of new buildings that will house retail and commercial outlets that meet residents' needs, as well as residential units.
CityWorks has already commissioned a market study to identify the economic advantages of the Midtown area. Meetings with local residents and a CityWorks presence on West Lake Avenue are planned for the near future. A Web site has been developed to keep residents apprised of the project and encourage feedback through its interactive design. It can be accessed through our Web site (http://www.ecityworks.com/) or the Neptune Township website (http://www.neptunetownship.org/). Soon, the Web site also will be available to residents through a computer that will be installed at a location on West Lake Avenue.
Proof that this project is a reality and not a pipe dream will come on Monday, when an uninhabited, deteriorating building near the corner of West Lake and Myrtle Avenues will be demolished. Neptune Mayor Thomas Catley and CityWorks will be present to kick off the redevelopment project.
This is an exciting time for the Midtown neighborhood and for the township. As we have seen in other locales, successful commercial redevelopment not only energizes the local community but also provides an impetus for development throughout the area. We expect West Lake Avenue to be a model for inclusive and appropriate revitalization efforts that serve local residents well, help make the community stronger and remove urban blight from New Jersey's landscape.
Tom Clark is executive director of CityWorks Inc., Trenton
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