Post by BrianSullivan on Feb 1, 2010 13:02:29 GMT -5
Here is a very nice article from the Mayor.
www.njand.com/news/magazine.php/2009/07/09/p3578
Future Past
By Mayor Michael Wilson
I’ve always been haunted by the song “My Hometown” by Bruce Springsteen, and its lyrics: “They’re closing down the textile mill across the railroad tracks…” Growing up, I remember the Kharageusian Rug Mill and the many hardworking people who were, for the most part, happily employed there. Then I remember it closing and being left to sink into abandon. When I became mayor in 1985, I resolved to myself that no matter how long I would serve as mayor, I would do my best to bring something back there, to give something useful to our community.
The song also mentioned “whitewashed windows” in the equally forlorn downtown. I recall fondly, in my childhood and teenage years, the bustling center of town and how vibrant Main Street used to be. I remember walking into town with my parents to go shopping and do errands; having family dinners at the American Hotel, the crown jewel of our downtown; and watching popular films and Westerns with my friends at the old movie house.
Immediately after being sworn in the first time as mayor, I took a critical look at the downtown. I realized that this epicenter of commerce had its roots back in the late 1700s as Market Yard—the gathering place for trading, buying, and selling in Western Monmouth County, around which the town grew.
The challenge was simple, yet profound: to figure out how to bring back Freehold’s historical essence, yet make the town attractive and viable for modern traffic and consumerism. We spent approximately $600,000 to overhaul Main Street and implement a beautiful brick promenade suitable for foot traffic, which also included private renovations of the historic properties lining the street and the construction of brick pathways from Main Street to the parking lot. Our design was so successful that several other downtowns were inspired by what we accomplished and implemented our alleyway concept in their redevelopment plans.
The Freehold Mall was finally built on Route 9 in neighboring Freehold Township, and many thought it was a death knell to our downtown when the mall opened in 1990. In 1992, we received a Special Improvement District designation, which was christened the Freehold Center Partnership, a nonprofit entity established by ordinance to manage the municipality’s SID. Through its efforts, Downtown Freehold has become an attractive regional destination that provides a sharply contrasted dining and leisure enhancement for the mall traffic.
Turning our sights to a neighborhood adjacent to downtown, we used eminent domain and completely renovated a blighted area at a cost of approximately $3 million in private redevelopment. Now Mechanic Street features a brick promenade and a parking lot for the County Clerk’s office.
In 2000, we secured about $6 million in private redevelopment funds to completely transform the former textile mill into a multi-use center, the Rug Mill Towers, which now houses low- to moderate-income families and senior citizens, a YMCA, and our police department and municipal court. The Rug Mill Towers has had tremendous positive economic and social impact for the municipality of Freehold Borough.
In 2007, the abandoned American Hotel was purchased by a private owner who is now putting on the finishing touches, restoring it to a full boutique hotel with 22 suites, banquet facilities, a restaurant, and bar. It is set to open around the holiday season this year.
Reviewing where Freehold Borough has come in my nearly 25 years as mayor, I am filled with gratification. It reminds me of yet another Springsteen song lyric in “Atlantic City”: “Everything that dies someday comes back.”
www.njand.com/news/magazine.php/2009/07/09/p3578
Future Past
By Mayor Michael Wilson
I’ve always been haunted by the song “My Hometown” by Bruce Springsteen, and its lyrics: “They’re closing down the textile mill across the railroad tracks…” Growing up, I remember the Kharageusian Rug Mill and the many hardworking people who were, for the most part, happily employed there. Then I remember it closing and being left to sink into abandon. When I became mayor in 1985, I resolved to myself that no matter how long I would serve as mayor, I would do my best to bring something back there, to give something useful to our community.
The song also mentioned “whitewashed windows” in the equally forlorn downtown. I recall fondly, in my childhood and teenage years, the bustling center of town and how vibrant Main Street used to be. I remember walking into town with my parents to go shopping and do errands; having family dinners at the American Hotel, the crown jewel of our downtown; and watching popular films and Westerns with my friends at the old movie house.
Immediately after being sworn in the first time as mayor, I took a critical look at the downtown. I realized that this epicenter of commerce had its roots back in the late 1700s as Market Yard—the gathering place for trading, buying, and selling in Western Monmouth County, around which the town grew.
The challenge was simple, yet profound: to figure out how to bring back Freehold’s historical essence, yet make the town attractive and viable for modern traffic and consumerism. We spent approximately $600,000 to overhaul Main Street and implement a beautiful brick promenade suitable for foot traffic, which also included private renovations of the historic properties lining the street and the construction of brick pathways from Main Street to the parking lot. Our design was so successful that several other downtowns were inspired by what we accomplished and implemented our alleyway concept in their redevelopment plans.
The Freehold Mall was finally built on Route 9 in neighboring Freehold Township, and many thought it was a death knell to our downtown when the mall opened in 1990. In 1992, we received a Special Improvement District designation, which was christened the Freehold Center Partnership, a nonprofit entity established by ordinance to manage the municipality’s SID. Through its efforts, Downtown Freehold has become an attractive regional destination that provides a sharply contrasted dining and leisure enhancement for the mall traffic.
Turning our sights to a neighborhood adjacent to downtown, we used eminent domain and completely renovated a blighted area at a cost of approximately $3 million in private redevelopment. Now Mechanic Street features a brick promenade and a parking lot for the County Clerk’s office.
In 2000, we secured about $6 million in private redevelopment funds to completely transform the former textile mill into a multi-use center, the Rug Mill Towers, which now houses low- to moderate-income families and senior citizens, a YMCA, and our police department and municipal court. The Rug Mill Towers has had tremendous positive economic and social impact for the municipality of Freehold Borough.
In 2007, the abandoned American Hotel was purchased by a private owner who is now putting on the finishing touches, restoring it to a full boutique hotel with 22 suites, banquet facilities, a restaurant, and bar. It is set to open around the holiday season this year.
Reviewing where Freehold Borough has come in my nearly 25 years as mayor, I am filled with gratification. It reminds me of yet another Springsteen song lyric in “Atlantic City”: “Everything that dies someday comes back.”
