Major Upgrade of Midtown Nutley Envisioned
• Commissioners Take First Step to Acquire Federal Funding
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Enlarge This Photo | Photo by NJHometown |
Grant writer Susan Scavone outlines plans for massive upgrade of mid-town Nutley. First step is acquiring federal and state monies. Pubic Property Commissioner Mauro Tucci reviews application procedures as Scavone outlined the possibilities for both town and school facilities.
Jul 21, 2010 – Nutley Commissioners spent a relaxed 25 minutes last night (7/20) looking into the future and asking what kind of a town Nutley might be in the year 2020. At the top of the list are two concepts: one a redesign of the Nutley Center area – the area along both sides of Franklin Avenue adjacent to Centre Street. The second project would consist of an upgrade of the "olde town center" described as the area encompassing the Park Oval, the Nutley Library, Town Hall, the Public Safety Building and stores along Chestnut Street, and both the John A. Walker Middle School and Nutley High School.
Commissioners have informally agreed to proceed with both projects, at least during the initial design phase which would aid in the development of costs which eventually would be borne largely by state and federal funds.
"The money is out there for a project of this type," Susan Scavone, grant writer for Nutley Township who is researching the specific steps and qualifications required for the acquisition of federal funds.
"Right now, the grants for the Park Oval and the complex in the Town Hall area would be a 50 percent match," Scavone said. She explained that the monies are the first state and federal funds to become available for such a project since the Park Oval was was upgraded with astro-turf added several years ago.
"There is also 'brick and mortar' funding available that would pay for the reconstruction of the cement bleachers in the Oval" and Cavone noted that Nutley and Belleville are the only remaining towns with cement grandstands in the county. Bloomfield's concrete stands were condemned over a year ago resulting with a massive modernization of that facility paid largely with grant monies.
"This is a unique opportunity for Nutley," Parks and Public Property Commissioner Mauro Tucci said.
Finance Commissioner Tom Evans, who has been working closely with Scavone for the past several months, said whatever is finally decided most likely would involve an intra-local funding agreement between the township and the board of education.
Scavone also revealed that because of the intense bus traffic along Franklin Avenue, Nutley also qualifies as "a transit hub" and that distinction also brings with it added dollars for the kind of upgrade being discussed by the Board of Commissioners.
"You're doing a great job in keeping us informed of the progress being made with these grant applications," Commissioner Evans said last night
Evans said some of the ideas being presented would provide great savings to the town. The school system, for example, could be equipped with live classroom cameras that would carry lessons to pupils confined to their home, "a system that would enable a disabled child, for example, to not only see his teacher in the classroom, but who would be able to interact with the teacher and the classmates."
"It's astounding what can be done!" Scavone said.
Evans said monies also are available based on a community's volunteer efforts that could benefit taxpayers as well as such organizations as the First Aid Squad, the Public Library and operations here at Town Hall."
In addition to working with the township on acquiring state and federal funding, Scavone has provided the similar grant-acquisition services to the Nutley Board of Education.
She said it would be at least another year before the financial plans are completed for the envisioned project. In the meantime, the initial paperwork announcing the town's intention to proceed with the first phase of its plans will be forwarded to the N.J. Dept. of Transportation as part of the 2011 State Streets for Transit for Phase III of the Township of Nutley Downtown Beautification and Revitalization Plan."
The vote on submitting the plan taken during the public portion of last night's meeting was unanimous.
