FROM THE ASBURY PARK PRESS (Gannett Co., Inc.)
02/16/06
BY ALESHA WILLIAMS
STAFF WRITER
25,000 grant for drawing up total-vision plan
FREEHOLD — A makeover may be in the works for Freehold's downtown if Mayor Michael Wilson and borough officials have their way.
The council last week unanimously voted to accept a $25,000 special-purpose grant from the state to design a vision for the downtown's new look. The borough will use the grant to contract a firm to draft the plan, officials said.
"There are 53 towns in Monmouth County," Borough Administrator Joseph Bellina said. "We are the county seat. I think we have somewhat of a responsibility to distinguish ourselves as being the county seat, being the pride of Monmouth County, really."
The vision plan would focus on aesthetics and architectural guidelines for businesses, Bellina said. It also would have to be consistent with a proposed historic preservation ordinance the borough Planning Board is reviewing.
Wilson said the borough is "prime for a downtown resurgence."
A dynamic plan would help attract high-end businesses and might improve the borough's ratable base, he said.
The township has completed about $900,000 in downtown improvements the past few years, Bellina said. About $500,000 of that, including Community Development Block Grants, came from the state.
Brick sidewalks, lighting and plantings, which have come to define the downtown revitalization, have been installed along East Main Street, from the county Hall of Records through the restaurant promenade.
The borough has hired Earle Asphalt of Freehold to add the same amenities along South Street to West Main Street. The major work for that project is expected to begin in March, Bellina said.
Officials hope to continue the aesthetic from South Street west to borough hall by late 2006, Bellina said.
"This (plan) evolved naturally as grant funds became available and the town spent money to make these improvements," Bellina said. "The next step is to prepare a vision plan that matches the historical character of the town and feeds the physical improvements that we've invested into making. We're hoping it will be called "the Freehold style.' "
The borough expects to hire a planner specializing in architectural design within the next 45 days, Bellina said. The vision plan could be done in three to four months, he said.