Somerville's downtown has been named as one of New Jersey's Great Places for 2016 by the New Jersey Chapter of the American Planning Association.
SOMERVILLE - The borough's downtown has earned a number of accolades over the years, and now has one more - having been named as one of New Jersey's Great Places by the New Jersey Chapter of the American Planning Association.
The designation represents "the gold standard" for the state's downtowns by demonstrating a true sense of place, cultural and historical interest, community involvement and a vision for tomorrow, according to a news release.
"Effective partnerships between downtown Somerville's stakeholders are an essential component to the well-deserved recognition we are now receiving," said Tom Genova, president of the Downtown Somerville Alliance. "We all share a vision for a vibrant and thriving downtown, and for Somerville to continue to be recognized as Somerset County's Downtown, a regional destination for shopping, dining and entertainment as well as a great place to live or open a business."
Mayor Brian Gallagher pointed to cooperative efforts between the municipality and the alliance that have contributed to infrastructure improvements, including the award-winning Division Street Plaza, a pedestrian-friendly area at the heart of downtown that hosts events and activities year-round, drawing new businesses and residents to the area.
Downtown transformation kicks into overdrive
"Somerville has already won numerous awards and we're very excited to add this one to the growing list," said Sheena Collum, executive director of the association's state chapter. "What was particularly impressive is the strong partnerships the Downtown Somerville Alliance has with so many stakeholder groups including municipal officials, the business community, residents and most importantly, all the volunteers who work continuously to make Somerville great.
"Comprehensively planning and community design doesn't happen overnight and Somerville has shown a steady hand in long term planning which has clearly not just benefited the town but also the regional economy."
Additional projects across the borough reflect increased demand and a desire to be connected to the downtown district, according to the news release.
An apartment complex on Veterans Memorial Drive is under construction, with other residential development plans nearby under review by the Planning Board. Other redevelopment includes a recently-approved mixed-use development on East Main Street and plans for redevelopment of other former commercial and industrial sites.
The alliance also recently launched a series of newly created television commercials that highlight the amenities, activities and attributes that contributed to the Great Places designation.
"Government, working cooperatively with the business community and investors, can help set the stage for redevelopment through planning and zoning regulations that contribute to the desirability of a downtown just as transit connectivity adds to a distinctive live-work-play atmosphere," Gallagher said. "Ultimately, the success of a downtown depends on the ideas, energy and commitment of entrepreneurs who want to be a part of downtown Somerville because it is a great place to be."
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Lavona Patterson of Kenilworth, a regular patron of the borough's restaurants, retail and boutique shopping scene, recently participated in the alliance's inaugural Girls Night Out. The event included special promotions, discounts, entertainment and more involving dozens of local businesses and hundreds of participants.
"There's always something going on in downtown Somerville, with new events and promotions all the time," Patterson said. "The Great Places designation is really not a surprise and definitely well-earned."
Great Places in America was started by the association in 2007 to recognize the streets, neighborhoods and other public spaces that contribute to communities and benefit the people who live, work and visit, according to the news release.
Each downtown offers its own unique attributes, but all share a common background characterized by forward-thinking and planning accomplished by partnerships between municipalities, residents, and property and business owners, it was stated in the release.
"The Awards Jury received many nominations for the Great Downtown designation and Somerville was a unanimous choice to be awarded this honor," said Charles Latini, Jr., president and awards jury chair of the association. "I have been fortunate to witness this transformation from a number of perspectives over the years and Ive learned a lot from watching it unfold.
"In fact, APA-NJ hosted a walking tour a little over a year ago in downtown Somerville to show our professional planners some of the best practices employed that resulted in such a good success story. Congratulations to the (borough), its residents, and all whom have been instrumental in helping turn this community into a shining example of what we can do when we work together."
Other Great Downtowns recognized by state chapter of the association this year include downtown Red Bank and downtown Clinton. The association also honored Roosevelt Plaza Park in Camden County, Memorial Park in Maplewood and the Middlesex Greenway in Middlesex County as Great Public Spaces.