After almost 20 years at its current location at Irving Street and Seminary Avenue, Arts Guild New Jersey suddenly closed and must leave the city-owned building by the end of the month.
Category Archives: Rahway
Wawa gains approval at former gym location
The Zoning Board of Adjustment unanimously approved an application Monday night for a Wawa convenience store and gas station on the site of the former Power & Fitness Health Club on St. Georges Avenue.
Wawa expected to return to Zoning Board
The former home of a fitness center on St. Georges Avenue would be transformed into a Wawa convenience store and gas station, under an application that’s expected to be heard tonight before the Zoning Board of Adjustment.
Poll results: Favorite Rahway pizza
For the third year in a row, Nancy’s Towne House has won our favorite pizza poll. The Main Street institution has never finished worse than second.
New concept plan for Center Circle site
The third version of a concept plan for the Center Circle site on Main Street would feature 219 rental units within a five-story complex.
Potential redevelopment areas to be examined
The Redevelopment Agency will formally ask the Planning Board to study potential areas of the city that could be designated in need of redevelopment in the future.
Continue reading Potential redevelopment areas to be examined
Redevelopment Agency marketing plan
A 30-minute video chronicling redevelopment history and the key players behind it, a pocket-size downtown map of significant projects, and a tablet/smartphone app were among the tools presented to the Redevelopment Agency by a marketing firm to lure potential developers.
The DavidHenry Agency presented a video and demonstrated an app at the Dec. 10 Redevelopment Agency meeting, outlining the history of redevelopment in Rahway, along with the efforts of the agency and city officials, and highlighting several key projects. The Redevelopment Agency awarded a $135,500 contract in May to the Westfield-based marketing firm.
The priciest items in the contract were about $18,000 each for print/production of a folder and brochure; a website with social media integration including layout content and design; and, an interactive project development app. David Fink of The DavidHenry Agency said the demo will be a platform to lure developers with the brochures and websites.
In addition to the 30-minute DVD, the development app was demonstrated at the December Redevelopment Agency meeting. The app can be viewed on a smartphone or tablet and provides information and background, including video, about various projects within the city. A website specifically dedicated for the Redevelopment Agency is not yet live and the agency also has a Twitter account, LinkedIn account, and Facebook page. UPDATE: The Redevelopment Agency website is now live, including the video.
The video features excerpts from interviews with city officials, including Redevelopment Director and former longtime City Administrator Peter Pelissier, Redevelopment Agency Chairman William Rack, former Mayor James Kennedy, and other developers and officials. (Conspicuously absent from the video, other than perhaps a passing reference as the current mayor, is Mayor Rick Proctor.). The video lasts a considerable 30 minutes but is broken down into about five chapters, including one of near canonization of former Mayor Kennedy that’s almost to the point of embarrassment.
Redevelopment Agency Secretary Cindy Solomon said the agency will be sending packets to developers and the video will play at Hamilton Stage, other facilities as well as the local cable access channel.
Hurricane Sandy
Taking inspiration from this map created by folks in Hoboken after Hurricane Sandy, I’ve come up with this version for Rahway to show what’s open and where power has been restored – or not. It appears that a few buildings downtown still are without power, as well as several neighborhoods around the city. The map was created through various reports from residents via Facebook, Twitter or direct emails.
If you have an update on your neighborhood, contact us by:
– email at RahwayRising@gmail.com
– Tweet at us Twitter @RahwayRising
– Post on our Facebook page
The latest post on the city’s Facebook page on Sunday indicated a message from PSE&G that “it looks like the majority of Rahway customers will be restored by Tuesday.’ In the meantime, warming stations have been set up at Rahway High School on Madison Avenue, Grover Cleveland Elementary School on East Milton Avenue and St. Thomas Church on St. Georges Avenue — and as of Sunday, they would be operating 24 hours a day until further notice.
Stay warm!