Category Archives: Arts District

Sculptures, mural lab jumpstart public art plan

 There’s one behind the Union County Performing Arts Center. Another pokes out of the shrubbery at Train Station Plaza and another is on loan in front of Hamilton Stage for Performing Arts.

The sculptures are considered “seeds” for a series of public art projects that Rahway Arts District is creating throughout downtown. The sculptures are by Woodbridge artist Glenn Murgacz, who also has pieces in Woodbridge, near the Avenel Train Station and the Avenue Fire House on Route 1.

There’s also the Rahway Mural Lab, a mural arts program for Rahway teens, that will be unveiled tonight at 6 p.m. at 1530 Irving St. The single-story former Public Service building was approved for a restaurant more than four years ago but later ran into a dispute with the city over sewer fees. It’s unclear what the status of the planned restaurant is today. The Arts District was granted permission to put the mural on the building facade until the owner is ready to start construction, Executive Director Rachael Faillace said.

Former Mayor James Kennedy hopes to get the public art initiative jump-started and eventually have 20 to 30 pieces in all. “With Glenn’s and J.D’s works kicking things off, we’re hoping to find more Rahway area sculptors who might be interested in contributing to the project,” he said.

Kennedy has talked about attracting more public art for years, including the idea of a sculpture walk downtown. The public art, he said, would be an ongoing process and might depend on what funding could be obtained. The Redevelopment Agency last month authorized $3,000 as partial payment for a piece inside Hamilton Stage featuring a ballerina, which is appropriate, he said since there are three ballerina troupes at the facility.

Artist housing site to be acquired for $1 million

The former Elizabethtown Gas building will be acquired for $1 million but the Rahway Residence for the Arts planned for the site is on hold until the next application round of federal housing tax credits, which might not be until next year.

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Another add-on for Hamilton Stage project

For the second time in as many months, the Redevelopment Agency approved an additional change to the Hamilton Stage for Performing Arts nine months after its opening.

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Closing near on property for artist housing

A deal is nearly done and closing should be completed soon for the Elizabethtown Gas building property that is planned as 60 units of affordable artist housing in the Arts District.

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KC Jazz site could become parking

The building that was to become a jazz club is no longer structurally safe and developers are ready to cut their losses on the project.

File photo

Redevelopment Director Peter Pelissier reported to the Redevelopment Agency earlier this month that Ronald Esposito, an attorney representing E.T. Building, LLC, said the property is plagued by multiple problems: the building is structurally unsafe, plumbing has been ripped out due to theft, and a leaking roof has created water damage. The building has no value but RSI bank still is owed some $400,000 on the mortgage, he said.

Should the bank take the property in foreclosure, Pelissier said the Parking Authority could negotiate with the bank to see what  the best use of the property might be, most likely as parking since it’s needed in the area of Seminary Avenue and Irving Street area.

The Redevelopment Agency last year granted Esposito’s request to lift a restriction that the property be developed specifically as a jazz club. For years, the former Kelly’s Pub site was slated to become KC Jazz restaurant, receiving Planning Board approval in July 2007.

Survey: Very strong demand for artist housing

Developers of an affordable housing development for artists said there is very strong demand in Rahway, enough for 242 units, or 3 1/2 times more than the 69 units they’ve proposed in the Arts District.

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Artist housing site to be appraised

The Redevelopment Agency awarded an appraisal contract for the site of a proposed affordable housing complex for artists.

 

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Art gallery, event space OK’d for Irving Street

Four years after the idea of a hair salon was rejected for the site, an Irving Street storefront gained approval Tuesday night to become art gallery and events space.

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