During its combined meeting on June 13, City Council unanimously approved a resolution (AR-106-22) authorizing the execution of a lease agreement between the city and United Way of Greater Union County for the building at 219 Central Ave.

The building served as an office of Elizabethtown Gas and most recently was used as the construction and leasing office for the construction of The Willows until 2018, according to a June 30 press release from the city.

James Horn, Jr., president and CEO of the Elizabeth-based United Way, appeared before the governing body during its June 13 meeting. He said the organization looked at several sites in Rahway and, after some conversations with the administration, identified the building at the corner of Central Avenue and Hamilton Street.

The building and adjacent property were acquired by the Redevelopment Agency over the past decade in anticipation of developing the site. The Willows, a 58-unit affordable housing complex geared toward people working in the arts and entertainment field, was constructed in the rear portion of the property about four years ago.

Any number of uses have been suggested for the building over the years. Most recently, the Arts District Redevelopment Plan drafted two years ago suggested an incubator or co-working space given its proximity to The Willows. Rooms on both floors could be leased to artists, entrepreneurs, and craftspeople. The building also could serve as a gallery space or a pop-up shop or seasonal market for local artists and vendors.

Earlier this year, the downtown strategic plan unveiled earlier this year also recommended the site as an appropriate place for teens and youth, with “ample bicycle racks” for the site, but also possibly a shuttle service through the Recreation Department.