Progress Update on Various Projects Underway in Gloucester City, New Jersey /cnbnews.net
Wednesday, August 14, 2013
GLOUCESTER CITY NJ--The mayor and council of Gloucester City released the following prepared statement today, August 14, 2013, on the state of the city.
In an effort to keep the public informed on the state of the city, we will
continue to communicate with the public. So far we have been experiencing both a very hot and a very wet summer.
Public Works and our Water and Sewerage Department are dealing with an infrastructure that is over 100 years old. They are doing a remarkable job under these circumstances. Seven streets are scheduled to be repaved by late September along with the repair of pot holes which is an ongoing project. We have 22 miles of roads to maintain in this 2.3 square mile community.
A new playground in memory of Shane Chapman was dedicated, located on
Thanks go to the Shade Tree and Beautification Committee for making up the hanging potted plants in the Monmouth Street business district. The Gloucester Development Corporation is about half way there on their project of renovating three properties and promoting new businesses for Monmouth Street.
Organic Diversions will be starting construction within the next 2 to 3 months on a new 30 million dollar alternative energy and compost plant.
We are waiting for the last many permits for the construction of a new transit boat marina next to Freedom Pier. Otts has hired their architect to complete plans for their restaurant. Now we know why there aren’t many waterfront restaurants as the time and money just getting state and federal permits is unbelievable.
St. Joseph’s Carpenters Society is ready to go with a home façade program from the King St. Corridor. This will spruce up the area and should help real estate investment in our riverfront district. Like many other communities, we are experiencing a major increase of unoccupied homes caused by a bad economy. The Mayor and Council has passed a new ordinance that will allow for major fines and the foreclosure of these vacant properties that in turn will be sold to owner occupied families. We must stabilize our neighborhoods by getting good people to invest and take pride in their property. The last thing we need is more out-of-town landlords who show no interest in our community other than getting a check from their tenants.
We have been meeting with several potential developers concerning a possible sale of the Chatham Square Apartments for a 55 and over project. The housing market has improved recently which help us market this complex. Although several of these units have been vacant over the last 2 or 3 years, crime is no longer an issue and the 150 students no longer living here and no longer attending our schools at $17,000 per child per year has saved state and local tax payers several millions of dollars.
The City Marina is showing an increase of ramp usage from recreational boaters. The river is cleaning up and you can now catch several species of fish in the Delaware.
Improvements in any community start in the block, then the neighborhood, then the community. Get involved…this is your town. The governing body doesn’t have all the solutions and welcomes your input and ideas. Only by a joint effort between the city and you the citizens can we improve the quality of life in Gloucester City.
