By Linda Seida, Staff Writer
LAMBERTVILLE — The city will hold a public hearing Friday to discuss two improvement projects, one for a small park and the other for improvements at City Hall.
The hearing will be held at 10 a.m. at City Hall on York Street.
Topics will include the construction of the new Arnett pocket park on Hancock Street and upgrades to improve handicapped access at City Hall.
Planning consultant Ed Geubtner from Mullin and Lonergan Associates of Camp Hill, Pa., will be available to answer residents’ questions. Comments also are welcome, Mr. Geubtner said.
The public hearing is a requirement of the grants that are funding the improvements, according to Mr. Geubtner.
Comments also may be submitted in writing to City Clerk Lori Buckelew at City Hall, 18 York St., Lambertville, 08530. Within 10 days following the public hearing, written comments also may be sent to the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, Small Cities Unit, CN 806, Trenton, 08625-0806, to the attention of the administrator.
The City Hall project will install an elevator and also make the second-floor bathroom handicapped accessible. Mr. Geubtner said the work is expected to begin in 2009.
The cost of the elevator and bathroom improvements is $300,00, funded by a Small Cities Community Development Block Grant. Funding for the grant is provided by the federal government and administered through the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs’ Division of Community Resources.
The Arnett pocket park is funded through a $150,000 Livable Communities Grant, which also is administered by the Department of Community Affairs. Work should begin in a few weeks, Mr. Geubtner said.
The park is named for the Arnett family, who donated the land. It will be the first park for residents of Connaught Hill. It will feature playground equipment and a half-court for basketball.
The park spans the West Amwell-Lambertville border. West Amwell’s portion of the parkland is .29 acres. Lambertville’s portion is 1.581 acres.

