By John Tredrea, Special Writer
The Hopewell Borough Streetscape project that spruced up the borough’s main thoroughfare and landed the town a 2012 Great Places in New Jersey Award from the New Jersey Chapter of the American Planning Association (APA-NJ), can be expanded significantly if Borough Council adopts a proposed ordinance.
The proposed ordinance, formally introduced at the June 5 Borough Council meeting and expected to be scheduled for a public hearing and adoption vote by council next month, would provide $400,000 for more Streetscape work if adopted.
The federal government would pay $240,000 of that amount, with the borough covering the balance, borough clerk/administrator, Michele Hovan, said.
She said the money would be used to extend the Streetscape improvements eastward along East Broad Street, to the intersection of Elm Street.
"We’d also do some work we didn’t get to earlier," she said. "Spots we’d focus on include the north side of Broad Street, near Princeton Avenue and the area in front of Borough Hall."
Other areas that could be targeted are near the Hopewell Museum and from the Hopewell Pharmacy to the entrance of Hopewell Park, on South Greenwood Avenue.
While doing the work the proposed ordinance would pay for, the borough would be required by the federal government to make sure all the handicapped ramps and curb cuts done during previous Streetscape work are ADA-(American Disabilities Act) compliant.
BACK IN 2012, when the borough won the Great Places award, Mayor Paul Anzano said: "This is an honor and a tribute to past and present local officials and community members that worked to develop a long-term vision for our downtown area. Hopewell has a strong sense of community that is on display every day up and down Broad Street. Our history is preserved, our unique character is showcased, and there’s a vibrancy and friendliness in town that both welcomes visitors and protects the small town feel for our residents."
"Through sound planning and the combined efforts of local officials, business owners, and residents, the Borough of Hopewell has retained Broad Street’s historic character while ushering it into a new era of market demand for a return to past development patterns," said APA-NJ President Charles Latini Jr.
"The revitalization of Broad Street is particularly important because it demonstrates that the walkable communities of the past are indeed our future," he added.
"We were fortunate to receive funding assistance from two federal Transportation Enhancement grants for the streetscape improvement project through the New Jersey Department of Transportation," said then Council President David Knights, who passed away in September 2013.
"These grants enabled the borough to implement the streetscape plan that has made Broad Street an attractive, pedestrian-friendly destination that features our local businesses," Mr. Knights said then.
"We are pleased to recognize eight special and unique places around New Jersey," said Mr. Latini. "From Historic Downtown Bordentown and Frenchtown on the Delaware River and the relatively new Pier Village on the Long Branch beach front," Mr. Latini continued, "our 2012 Great Places reflect a tremendous amount of history, diversity and economic vitality. We hope that they inspire other communities to envision, plan and create their own great places."
