Committee may OK contract for avenue plantings, upgrades
By Philip Sean Curran, Staff Writer
Maplewood will embark on the final phases of an eight-year facelift of Springfield Avenue seen as a critical public investment to spur later private development.
Since work began in the fall of 2002, the township has installed 125 planters, planted more than 100 trees, laid new sidewalks and made other streetscape improvements.
“It’s created a pedestrian-friendly environment that is inviting to shoppers, browsers and visitors to the avenue,” said Meryl Layton, district manager of the Springfield Avenue Partnership.
The project, following what’s being done in other communities, has progressed in phases along the roughly 2.5-mile stretch of road.
“It’s meant a tremendous amount,” said Jim Nering, chairman of the partnership’s board of trustees. He said the work has “given us a facelift.”
The final stretch, costing roughly $2 million, covers a five-block span between Tuscan and Yale streets, according to the township.
Like earlier phases, it calls for new curbs and brick and concrete sidewalks and road striping, landscaping and signage.
Primarily funded by the township, work is expected to be complete by the end of the year. The avenue will not have to be closed to traffic during renovations.
At its meeting Sept. 7, the Township Committee is expected to award a contract to the firm that will perform the work.
Mayor Vic De Luca was in office in 2001 when the township took control of its slice of the avenue, formerly a state road.
He said he felt the public investment was “critical” and thinks the later private development would not have happened without it. Nering endorsed that view.
“I think it’s been a long time,” De Luca said.
Including the final phases, the renovations cost about $5.5 million, according to township officials. Among those private developments, De Luca pointed to examples as a new drug store planned for Springfield Avenue and condominiums built at the corner of Yale Street.
Besides the streetscape improvements, the township also decided to build its new police headquarters on Springfield Avenue.
De Luca said merchants have appreciated the improvements the township has made.
Philip Sean Curran can be reached at 908-686-7700, ext. 116, or at newsrecord@thelocalsource.com.
Maplewood will embark on the final phases of an eight-year facelift of Springfield Avenue seen as a critical public investment to spur later private development.
Since work began in the fall of 2002, the township has installed 125 planters, planted more than 100 trees, laid new sidewalks and made other streetscape improvements.
“It’s created a pedestrian-friendly environment that is inviting to shoppers, browsers and visitors to the avenue,” said Meryl Layton, district manager of the Springfield Avenue Partnership.
The project, following what’s being done in other communities, has progressed in phases along the roughly 2.5-mile stretch of road.
“It’s meant a tremendous amount,” said Jim Nering, chairman of the partnership’s board of trustees. He said the work has “given us a facelift.”
The final stretch, costing roughly $2 million, covers a five-block span between Tuscan and Yale streets, according to the township.
Like earlier phases, it calls for new curbs and brick and concrete sidewalks and road striping, landscaping and signage.
Primarily funded by the township, work is expected to be complete by the end of the year. The avenue will not have to be closed to traffic during renovations.
At its meeting Sept. 7, the Township Committee is expected to award a contract to the firm that will perform the work.
Mayor Vic De Luca was in office in 2001 when the township took control of its slice of the avenue, formerly a state road.
He said he felt the public investment was “critical” and thinks the later private development would not have happened without it. Nering endorsed that view.
“I think it’s been a long time,” De Luca said.
Including the final phases, the renovations cost about $5.5 million, according to township officials. Among those private developments, De Luca pointed to examples as a new drug store planned for Springfield Avenue and condominiums built at the corner of Yale Street.
Besides the streetscape improvements, the township also decided to build its new police headquarters on Springfield Avenue.
De Luca said merchants have appreciated the improvements the township has made.
Philip Sean Curran can be reached at 908-686-7700, ext. 116, or at newsrecord@thelocalsource.com.
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