ABIG DEAL

BY HAILEY RUDERMAN

Downtown Metuchen was one of three areas recently awarded the 2023 Great American Main Street Award (GAMSA) by Main Street America.

Insert Anchorman’s Ron Burgundy quote: I don’t know how to put this, but I’m kind of a big deal.

Metuchen is the big deal. Only two other downtowns in New Jersey – Westfield and Montclair – have previously received the honor.

With a population of 14,780 and growing, the borough has made a name for itself. Thousands of residents use the Metuchen local train and bus stations to travel to New York City, Philadelphia or Northern New Jersey.

According to njtod.org, “Foundational work occurred in the 1980s when Rutgers University students worked with community members to create a revitalization plan for downtown Metuchen that focused on clustered retail and residential development.” six-acre lot, which

The revitalization plan included a new zoning law to keep retail spaces and strip malls out of the downtown area.

Many local businesses, including a pizzeria and a hardware store, shut down on a six-acre lot, which was abandoned for years after.

In 2008, the town of Metuchen received a Smart Future grant of $50,000, according to njtod.org. The grant was to continue the town’s public outreach to support the redevelopment of the area.

“When we started [building the area], the town was divided,” Isaac Kremer recalled.

Kremer is the former executive director of the Metuchen Downtown Alliance (MDA).

“Many were unsure that a Main Street program was needed. Some feared it would be another layer of bureaucracy that would make things harder for businesses,” he said. “The new development, please see AWARD, page 6 receives Great American Main Street award. Only two other downtowns in New Jersey – Westfield and Montclair – have previously received the honor.

Downtown

08840