CNBNews

            “The new Let’s Dance Studio epitomizes the heart and spirit of Glassboro’s revitalization.  It not only shows the cooperation and excitement of local businesses who have joined with us to make our revitalization a success, but it is leading the growth of cultural and performing arts we plan for Glassboro,” said Borough Mayor Leo McCabe.

            When completed, the new performing arts studio will occupy a 14,000 sq. ft. building, including a 2,000 sq. ft. atrium, and will contain 11 classrooms and suites, a café and a retail store featuring dance apparel and accessories.  Currently, Let’s Dance Studio offers dance instruction to more than 350 students in tap, jazz, ballet, pointe, hoofing, lyrical, Irish step, hip hop, cheer/pom dance and clogging, plus combination classes, a competition team and several classes in Zumba and Pulse Fitness.  Students range in age from 2½ through adult and in levels from beginner to professional.  Enrollment at the new center is expected to exceed 500 students, and plans are underway to enlarge the curriculum with additional music lessons, voice, karate and drama classes.

            “There is a tremendous interest in the performing arts in our region, and the growth of Rowan University and new housing in and around Glassboro is increasing the demand,” said Kim Bartolomeo, who is co-owner of Let’s Dance Studio with Kathy Woodside.  “It’s exciting to help lead the development of an Arts & Entertainment District in our community.  We’re just a small part of what can be done when we all work together.” 

            The architect of the new performing arts center is Robbie Conley Architects, of Woodbury Heights, NJ, and the general contractor is Active Construction, of Sewell, NJ.

Glassboro’s new Rowan Boulevard will feature broad tree-lined sidewalks, dozens of stores, restaurants featuring café-style sidewalk dining, residential condos and town homes, Rowan University student housing, a hotel, pedestrian plazas and a town square.  Rowan Boulevard, which is being developed by the borough’s master redeveloper, Sora Holdings, of Sewell, NJ, is expected to attract a minimum of 60 new retail stores generating a minimum of $48 million in annual sales when completed in 2012.

While Rowan Boulevard itself contains 26 acres, the entire Glassboro revitalization project encompasses 81 acres and several neighborhoods comprising the borough’s downtown, including its Arts and Entertainment District, a Pedestrian Promenade with a business incubator and restaurants, and the borough’s West High Street neighborhood, which features convenience retail for residents.  Overall, Glassboro’s revitalization when fully completed is expected to feature more than 125 new retail stores with the potential of generating $225 million in annual sales and will offer abundant office space, new restaurants, retail and cultural offerings, and hundreds of new town home and condo residences.

For information on Let’s Dance Studio, call (856) 881-5930 or log on to the studio’s website www.letsdancestudio.net.  For information on the Rowan Boulevard project, contact Sora Holdings, LLC, at (856) 589-8371 or on the web at www.soraholdings.com.