The proposed 200-seat black box theater is often referred to as the Bell building simply because it was once a Bell Telephone facility. Eventually, the arts facilities planned on Hamilton Street within the Arts District will need a real name.
During a discussion and presentation about the projects to the Redevelopment Agency tonight, Redevelopment Director and City Administrator Peter Pelissier suggested that commissioners consider naming the facility in honor of former Mayor James Kennedy.
“At some point we need to name the building and refer to it as a complex,” he said. The former mayor would be a good tribute since he “has been behind this from the beginning,” Pelissier said, and continues this passion as executive director of the Rahway Arts District.
Kennedy served five terms as mayor, from 1990 until 2010, declining to seek re-election a year ago. “It was his vision to make Rahway an arts destination,” Pelissier said. “It would be a really appropriate facility to name for Jim Kennedy.”
Redevelopment Agency Vice Chairman Courtney Clarke said the agency would give it serious consideration.
The presentation to the Redevelopment Agency included approvals for change-orders to the black box theater construction bids, an update on the parking situation and a revised financial overview. A complete blog post on the presentation is forthcoming.
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It would be a well deserved honor for him. Agree or disagree with what has been, what will be done, you can't honestly say the man didn't give it his all, and he deserves this much (at least). Respect.
Sorry that this is off topic, but there is a notice near the infamous Rahway station stairs to the effect that work will begin this month and wrap up in May on the indefinitely out of commission staircase. As no year was written on the yellow notice, I was wondering if that was a new sign or something left over from years past. Any idea?
The guy ran the city into debt creating projects that collapsed the condo real estate prices in the whole city. And when things finally start to fall apart he "decides" not to run again for mayor. Yeah, lets name it after him. It will go into foreclosure, get zero use. It should have his name on it.
Re: staircase- It is just about a year already that these stairs have been closed
It is not surprising that Peter P. thinks it should be named after his pal, Kennedy. After all, Kennedy helped make Peter a rich man off the backs of Rahway's home owners. 20 years of Kennedy's vision has not brought back very much (if any!) of Rahway's long gone business district, has it? We still see businesses open and close faster than it takes Rahway's officials to blow through our money (and that is pretty fast!) Just how long are we going to be subjected to Kennedy's "vision" being dragged out while OUR money continues to be peed away on this pipe dream?These guys just don't get it…or maybe they just don't care that their vision is pulverizing the tax payers of Rahway and forcing many to be driven from their homes. Who gives a rat's patoot about an arts district when people are still out of work, losing their homes and unable to afford health care? Who's going to be able to afford to support that art's district after the taxpayers wind up filing for bankruptcy and have their homes foreclosed on?
Let's be clear — the arts do not bring money. Arts districts are (barely) viable in already established areas; in and of themselves, they do not bring in money. Even in SOHO (NY), galleries open and close in the blink of an eye.
Kennedy is not an Artist and he is not using any of his money to build the theater, like carnegie or rockefeller, why should his name be on it. Additionally, his record as mayor is spotty at best. There are far more negatives than positives. Surely we can find a more suitable name.