Mayor Speaks with Businesses to Promote Economic Growth and Downtown Revitalization
Proposed Special Improvement District Would Tap Talents of Business
A group of 23 business owners and community leaders met with Mayor Garrett Smith at the Roselle Firehouse to discuss ways to enhance the borough.s downtown shopping district, including exploring the possibility of forming a special improvement district that taps into the talents and experience of the borough.s business leaders in partnership with government.
.Businesses are an integral part of the vitality of the Roselle and I would like to generate a dialogue that supports economic growth for business and our community,. said Mayor Smith, who hosted the meeting..It is important for government officials to understand the needs of business and to collaborate with business and community leaders to develop initiatives that help make Roselle a better place to work, live and operate a thriving business..
One of the economic development initiatives proposed by Mayor Smith includes designating the Chestnut Street downtown area as a special improvement district.
Seth Grossman, president of Cooperative Professional Services, a consulting company that works with communities to establish Special Improvement Districts (SIDs), gave a presentation on the topic.
Advantages of Special Improvement Districts Defined
Mayor Smith welcomed Lt. Gerry Orlando,
who addressed public safety.
.The town council passes an ordinance and brings businesses to the table to deal with issues on a government level,. said Mr. Grossman. .It.s a bold step because it means the town has to give businesses some power..
Special Improvement Districts Around the State of New Jersey
SIDs have been in effect in New Jersey since 1984 as a way of helping municipalities develop a central framework for revitalization by tapping into the leadership of the business community to manage the program in partnership with state and local government. Communities in New Jersey that have revitalized their downtowns through SID programs include Cranford, Elizabeth, Somerville,Westfield, Montclair, Livingston, Somerville, Perth Amboy and New Brunswick.
A Special Improvement District is very conscious of taking care of the customer and acknowledges that all of the customers belong to all of us,.Mr. Grossman added.
If the business owners are interested, the next steps, said Mr.Grossman,would be to raise money for a feasibility study. This seed money for the project would start at about $5,000.
During the two-hour session, which took place on March 30, the audience heard presentations by officials from the Roselle Police Department, the borough.s Zoning Department and Urban Enterprise Zone program.
Roselle.s UEZ
Yves Aubourg, coordinator of Roselle.s Urban Enterprise Zone (UEZ), discussed the benefits of joining the UEZ program, including a 3 percent sales tax for shoppers and additional savings for business members. Business owners gain a 3-percent tax savings on business equipment and supplies and can apply for grant funding for façade improvements.
Aubourg said four of the 88 businesses enrolled in Roselle.s UEZ program are located on Chestnut Street.
Rodney Smith, Roselle.s zoning official, discussed the procedures for enforcing the borough.s zoning laws.
Business and Public Safety
On the public safety front, Lt. Gerry Orlando, a 17-year-veteran of the Roselle Police Department, discussed issues on the minds of business owners such as youth loitering and double parking along Chestnut Street. Lt. Orlando said the police department bicycle patrol will be touring the streets beginning in June. He also said the Police Department would explore ways to deter loitering, including implementing the .Park and Walk. program in which police officers park their patrol cars and walk through a neighborhood in intervals of 15 minutes.
What Business Leaders Say
Luis Rodriguez, a real estate developer who recently purchased the vacant buildings at 121-125 Chestnut Street was among those who attended the mayor's meeting. Rodriguez said he plans to construct retail and office space at the location. "It's nice and refreshing to see that the town wants to work with you to make good things happen," said Mr. Rodriguez.
Rodriguez said he found Roselle appealing because of its proximity to New York City . just 16 miles outside of Manhattan . and its easy access to bus and rail transportation.
Joseph Jardim, who has owned Jardim Auto Body on East First Avenue for 34 years, lauded the mayorfs efforts to reach out to the business community. "I think we have turned the corner. Businesses are ready to react to the mayor and councilfs initiatives," said Mr. Jardim. "We have the diversified mix of businesses and housing stock. Roselle has the potential to be like Cranford or Westfield."
Mayor Smith said he hopes the dialogue and enthusiasm of business owners and community members will help Roselle realize its full potential. gIfm encouraged by the turnout and genuine interest and concern of those business owners and community leaders in this room,h said Mayor Smith. "My goal is to continue to work with businesses and the public to address their concerns and to exchange ideas that help create new opportunities for growth and public/private partnerships."
COVER PHOTO: Roselle business owners gathered for a meeting hosted by Mayor Smith.
To learn more about Roselle's Urban Enterprise Zone, call 908-259-3001.
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