Coalition wants to bring businesses and customers to Jamesburg.
By: Stephanie Brown
JAMESBURG Residents, business owners and borough officials say they want to make Jamesburg the primary destination for area shoppers.
More than 40 people attended a meeting at Borough Hall on Monday to discuss ways to attract new customers and businesses to the borough.
Among some of their suggestions were making aesthetic improvements to existing shops and businesses, preserving the historic look of the town, and partnering with surrounding areas to attract new customers.
The informal session, lead by the Jamesburg Revitalization Coalition, focused on ways to capitalize on Jamesburg’s assets.
"There’s a real interest in revitalized downtowns," Teddy Ehman, JRC chairman and owner of Family Framers, said Monday. "Our goal tonight was to bring in the community and let them know that it is possible. Then, find out what some of the things they thought were important."
Mr. Ehman said one place to start is by finding businesses to fill vacant buildings near the intersection of East and West Railroad avenues and Forsgate Drive. Currently, the buildings, formerly home to Dibrizzi’s and Johnathon’s Grill, are vacant. While a Chase Bank is slated to open at the Jonathon’s Grill spot, there are no plans for the Dibrizzi’s site.
Plans for the bank call for the demolition of the existing building and construction of a 4,304-square-foot bank. It also calls for the conversion of the three-way traffic signal at the intersection of East Railroad Avenue and Forsgate Drive into a four-way signal, with the fourth leg exiting the proposed bank’s parking lot. Because both East Railroad Avenue and Forsgate Drive are county roads, the plan would require county approval.
Mr. Ehman said the area is the heart of the town, but appears to be deserted.
"That’s the first thing people see when they come into town," he said.
Councilwoman Barbara Carpenter agreed.
"First impressions are everything," said Ms. Carpenter, who suggested improvements to business facades.
"It doesn’t cost anything to wash your shop’s windows," she said.
Those in attendance agreed that the intersection was unsightly, and said they would like to see new businesses come into the area as long as buildings maintain the borough’s historic feel.
Councilman and JRC member John Longo was in agreement with maintaining a cohesive "brand" look. He said an ordinance doing just that could be proposed in the future.
In terms of working with surrounding communities to bring more people into town, Jamesburg Hardware owner Gary Clayton suggested holding more activities for children, possibly in Thompson Park.
"A lot of people moving into surrounding communities have kids and are looking for stuff to do," he said.
Other suggestions included improving pedestrian and neighborhood safety.
This is not the first effort to revitalize Jamesburg’s downtown. A previous improvement plan was prepared in 1997, but became stagnant, Mr. Ehman said.
He said now is a perfect time to move on a revitalization plan. He said market trends show entrepreneurs are interested in moving into small commercial districts like Jamesburg as opposed to strip malls.
"Entrepreneurs and tourists are headed towards our kind of community," Mr. Ehman said.
He also said there are plenty of state grants and other resources available to municipalities like Jamesburg who are seeking to make improvements.
"There’s money out there that we want to channel into Jamesburg to make our town a very special place that people will want to come visit for many years to come," said Elliot Stroul, president of the Jamesburg Civic Association.
Members of the JRC felt Main Street USA, a program of the National Trust Historic Preservation, is a prime option because of Jamesburg’s historical ties.
"Historic is in and the future of towns that want to redevelop lies in the preservation of their history," Mr. Ehman said.
After the meeting, JRC members felt hopeful that the revitalization will be a success.
"I think we have all the right people in all the right places that it feels like it’s just coming together," Mr. Stroul said.
JRC members felt the suggestions were positive, and some were excited about taking the next step.
"This is coming from you, from the people of the town," said Mr. Longo. "Now we’re going to take it to the next level and see what we can do to develop this project."

