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2008 State of the City Address
Reverend Clergy, members of the City Council, elected officials, friends, family, and citizens:
When we first began we had a vision that would take us into the 21st century.
Our vision was built on four simple, yet solid principles:
• Revitalizing our neighborhoods--making them safer
• Growing our economy by creating jobs
• Enhancing municipal services and stretching your tax dollars farther
• Improving the quality of life in our neighborhoods
• and placing a special focus on our children and seniors
There were those who said such a comprehensive vision was impossible. Nay-sayers criticized our dreams and called them unrealistic.
Well I am proud to say we:
• Envisioned great projects
• Rose above opposition
• Worked hard
• Found partners that shared our vision
• And turned many of our dreams into reality
We have now laid the foundation upon which an even greater Elizabeth can be built.
Today we continue to dream even bigger, knowing we can do more--Exciting ideas and plans for our great City are still on the horizon.
We envision--
Our Midtown with:
• 180 residential units
• Landscaped courtyard
• And 47,000 square feet of retail-- a signature book store, and collegiate eatery
We imagine a Riverfront Park with:
• Reflecting pool
• Outdoor café dining
• Pedestrian bridges
• Waterfalls
• And even a 400 seat amphitheater
For North Elizabeth we visualize:
• 1800 parking spaces
• 23,000 square feet of office space
• 93,000 square feet of townhouses
• And more than 256,000 square feet of retail space
And on our waterfront, how about a complex with:
• 4,200 units
• 326,000 square feet of retail
• More than a million square feet of office space
• And 3,400 new jobs
If you think these projects are too ambitious or impossible—that’s what skeptics said about
• Hope VI
• The AMC Theater
• New hotels
• And Jersey Gardens
These projects were once perceived as far-fetched and unbelievable dreams. Now, ladies and gentlemen:
They are realities
And part of what makes our City great
Our inspiration has enabled us to think outside the box and apply imaginative approaches to achieving success. This administration has been inspired to:
• Transform neighborhoods
• And improve the life of every resident.
Since the grand opening of the State’s largest outlet mall, each year has been better than the last.
• More than 15 million guests-- up 6% over 2006
• International visitors up 32%
• New York Bus ridership up 22%
• AMC Theater is the state’s second highest grossing theater and top thirty in the nation
• Country Inn and Suites, Marriott hotels, and Extended Stay are all performing beyond expectations
• Ruby Tuesday Elizabeth, one of the chain’s highest grossing locations, will be joined by a new 8,400 square foot, retro-themed diner
Jersey Gardens was even featured in the major motion picture “The Perfect Holiday.”
New stores that opened in 2007:
• Chock Full ‘O Nuts
• Rita’s Italian Ice
• Osh Kosh
• And the City’s first Starbucks
Revitalization of our City is not limited to Jersey Gardens—our Hope VI program has become a model for urban transformation in America.
An independent evaluation, released last year detailed the tremendous impact of HOPE VI on the City’s oldest and most historic neighborhood.
The initial $29 million dollar grant leveraged another $93 million --far exceeding initial projections by the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
The evaluation also revealed property values increased by over $15 million in Elizabethport, and an additional $20 million in the surrounding area.
Hope VI has helped thousands of residents get back on their feet and start leading self sufficient lives.
In total:
• 650 units of antiquated housing demolished
• 472 new modern units built
• 87 senior units
• And 97% of residents surveyed reported improved conditions
Construction has already begun on HOPE VI’s final housing component:
Consisting of 10 homes for low-income residents
And 38 two-family market rate homes for moderate-income residents
President John Quincy Adams once said, “…actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more, and become more…”
As we realize our dreams for the future, we are prepared to provide the vital resources our children need to achieve their full potential.
Our Health and Recreation Departments provide:
• Essential immunizations and physical examinations for our youngest
• Much needed after- school instruction from SOAR, SOAR II, and Safe Haven
• More than 1,900 children receive free nutritious lunches and snacks during the summer
• 5 recreational centers, including the recently reopened Elmora Racquet Club
• 17 playgrounds with 4 day camps
• And the Annual Mayor’s Little League Tournament, Basketball League, and Special Needs Program
To prepare the leadership of tomorrow, we have developed the Building Future Leaders program for our high school students.
• College open-house tours
• Mentoring
• Televised teen program
• Student retreats
• The first ever “Red Carpet Prom Showcase”
Many agencies and organizations in our City work hard to improve the lives of our youth. To better coordinate and strengthen children services throughout the City we formed the Office of Youth Services Advisory Commission.
This group will develop a regional resource directory which includes all organizations that assist youth and families.
We will continue activities such as last year’s successful Back-to-School Fair, healthy snacks, and increasing access to dozens of health agencies
• Neighborhood walks bringing families outdoors for exercise
• New youth mentoring program with City employees
• Creating a family focus group called, “Elizabeth Parents and Communities Together” providing programs and support groups
• A Citywide Youth Olympics
Fields and parks throughout the City will also be renovated, including:
• New spray fountain at Kellogg Park
• Reseeding the Waterfront soccer fields
• Renovations at Sisselman, Brophy and Powell fields
As we help create tomorrow’s finest—we continue to care for today’s wisest.
Our Office on Aging operates four senior centers and continues to expand services to seniors and disabled residents.
• One-on-one counseling
• Spanish and English classes
• Computer and Arts instruction
• Talent shows and live concerts
• Free bus transportation used by more than 9,000 seniors
• And the National Partnership for Prescription providing low-cost and free medication
This year after a $730,000 dollar facelift, the O’Donnell Dempsey Senior Center will reopen with new:
• Patio
• Outdoor lighting
• Paved parking
• Appliances
• Upgraded heating and cooling system
The Office on Aging has declared 2008 the “Year of the Healthy Senior.”
Incorporating:
• Nutritional education in all centers
• Additional fitness clubs
• Healthy food alternatives
• And exercise programs
We will also introduce the Vial of Life Project. This program will ensure all seniors and disabled individuals will be provided “Vial of Life” packages, which will aide health care professionals during emergency situations.
With new activities and programs for seniors, additional transportation is necessary. We will introduce a new senior bus for:
• Grocery shopping
• Health care visits
• And senior activities throughout the City
• Our goal is to help our seniors and youth grow strong and healthy, giving them tools they need and inspiring them to excel in today’s world and conquer tomorrow.
To better secure our neighborhoods our Police are working hand in hand with residents to combat crime and make our streets safer.
We developed:
• SafeNet Patrols providing every ward with their very own neighborhood patrol officer
• An Award winning Domestic Violence Unit helping families address issues that can lead to violence in the home
• Security Inspections for business and homes
• Free Child Safety Seat Inspections
• Free Vehicle Identification Etching
• Child Protection Fingerprinting
• And Walking patrols in our business districts, public housing, and schools
One program stands above the rest in crime deterrence. Sixteen neighborhood block watch groups meet regularly throughout the City. This extensive network of vigilant neighbors is helping police fight crime on every block.
As our Block Watch Groups help deter crime, our successful DARE Program will be revamped to include an anti-violence component.
Specially trained DARE officers will provide grammar school students with information on the consequences of not only substance abuse but of joining a gang and leading a violent lifestyle. This 17 week program, will emphasize self-esteem, safe and healthy recreational alternatives, and inspire youth to live a life without drugs and violence.
Soon, every household will receive a Community Policing Handbook. This booklet will provide safety tips, important phone numbers, and a comprehensive look at the services our police department offers.
While we enhance our community outreach programs we continue to upgrade and improve police technology.
Our new Communication Center now combines computer-aided dispatching for police, ambulance, and fire. The Center makes our City among the first communities to be fully compliant with New Jersey’s Emergency 911 guidelines and hosts an Amber Alert system.
We acquired a new state-of-the-art Police Mobile Command Post which can be placed in any neighborhood within minutes.
Nineteen new police vehicles were purchased-- equipped with the latest technology.
• Mobile Data Terminals
• Global Positioning System
• And the ability to produce police reports without leaving their vehicles
With $455,000 dollars of federal funding our police department will purchase and install cameras to fight crime throughout the city. Various locations have been chosen and will be monitored and recorded at our Communications Center.
Programs, equipment, and new technology are only as effective as the trained personnel who operate them. Further showing this administration’s commitment to fighting crime in every neighborhood--
this month, we will hire 19 new police officers.
While the Police Department keeps our neighborhoods safe our Fire Department continues to prepare for any emergency situation.
The $7 million, 23,000 square foot Emergency Response Facility on Trumbull Street is complete and operational.
With close to $430,000 dollars in grants the Fire Department has acquired:
• Utility trailer with an air knife and specialized equipment for trench rescues
• Urban Area Security Initiative training
• Generators to ensure no delays in response time due to power failure
• And new Fire Trailer and Fire Prevention items to educate residents and children on fire safety
Last year, 17 new firefighters joined the Department, and this month, we will add 16 more.
We are also working on instituting a GPS system for fire apparatus. In conjunction with our upgraded Computer Aided Dispatch system, the new technology would increase productivity without reducing operational efficiency. In addition, apparatus in the field will have wireless communication to provide “real data/real time” while responding to emergency incidents.
We formed a Graffiti Task Force comprised of Police, Fire, Public Works, Business districts, and City Hall personnel. The Task Force has conducted a sting operation catching merchants selling paint products to minors. And now, juveniles apprehended serve community service time removing graffiti.
With UEZ funding we added two new anti-graffiti teams consisting of:
• 8 employees
• two new vehicles
• and graffiti removal equipment—at no cost to residents
As you can see, in these very tough economic times, our departments and our dedicated City employees have achieved a great deal. And for the coming year, I have challenged them to stretch your tax dollars even farther. Because in 2008, there will be NO INCREASE in your municipal taxes. NONE.
Our nationally recognized UEZ continues to inspire and lead the State in business participation. This program will generate upwards of $10 million dollars per year for the next five years – through EDC we will continue funding additional:
• Walking police patrols
• Infrastructure improvements
• Beautification projects
• Business grant and loan programs
Last year EDC received a $25 million dollar allocation from the US Treasury through the New Market Tax Credit program. The only such allocation awarded to an entity exclusively servicing New Jersey.
EDC has also:
• Approved over $1 million dollars in loans for 11 new projects-- leveraging more than $25 million in additional funds and creating over 150 new jobs
• Approved over $55,000 dollars in new Façade and Sign Grants assisting 28 Elizabeth businesses -- leveraging an additional $62,000 dollars in private investments
Funding streetscape projects on Broad Street and Elizabeth Avenue including:
• Trees
• Benches
• Sidewalks
• Trash receptacles
• And lighting—totaling close to $10 million dollars in improvements
Through the Neighborhood Revitalization Tax Credit- EDC secured $500,000 from PSEG and $200,000 from PNC Bank for projects such as:
• Appletree Village Park
• Housing Authority’s Supportive Services Program
• and Elizabethport Presbyterian Center
Such private investments coupled with public funding and great partnerships help to further bolster our comprehensive efforts to revitalize the Elizabethport neighborhood.
The Elizabethport Presbyterian Center’s $4.1 million dollar, 27,000 square foot expansion will provide:
• six classrooms
• indoor playground
• education center
• game and community rooms
Brand New Day is working hard to help residents own their own homes:
• 9 affordable units under construction
• Plans for a six unit condominium development
• Foreclosure counseling helping families avoid losing their homes
• Financial Literacy & Homebuyer Education
• Continued expansion of the Career Development Program
• And assisted 40 new First-time Homebuyers, investing $11million dollars in real estate
These and many more initiatives help improve the quality of life and give residents the support they need to live self-sustaining lives.
This year Public Works will move into a new $17 million dollar, 85,000 square foot, state-of-the-art Maintenance Facility with:
•
New offices
• 1,200 ton salt silo
• Indoor environmentally friendly truck wash
• And 12,000 square feet of additional storage
The entire project was financed with Federal and State funds.
One initiative that will help residents navigate our waterfront is the $1.2 million dollar Bike, Hike, and Roll project. Along the Arthur Kill, from Pine Street to Slater Park, the project will consist of:
• Parking
• Lighting
• Picnic tables
• Trees
• And shoreline protection
Last year, Public Works Department finished the most aggressive street paving project to date. This $11 million dollar program has paved more than 30 miles of city roads. In addition, this year $2 million dollars of repaving will take place; continuing to improve our infrastructure and helping motorists smoothly navigate our City.
I am happy to announce that our Midtown was designated a Transit Village. This designation makes us the 18th city in the State to be able to receive priority consideration for development. With initial funding, we will enhance the area surrounding our Historic Train Station. With:
• New sidewalks
• Pedestrian walkway
• Landscaping
• This designation will also help our two Special Improvement Districts, who continue to assist local businesses through marketing and sponsoring special events.
The Historic Midtown SID:
• Hosted its second annual Classic/Custom Car show
• Provided funds for new signs and facades
• Subsidized merchant parking program
• Held a historic Civil War Reenactment
• Began a merchants workshop program helping business owners attain information about loans and improvement programs
Voted as the “Best of the Best” for Marketing by Downtown New Jersey, the Elizabeth Avenue Partnership continues to highlight its vibrant district.
Along with the arrival of Dominos Pizza and Dunkin Donuts/Baskin Robbins, Elizabeth Avenue:
• Launched the city’s first Internet Café with
the Chab-la Family
• Hosted Hispanic Heritage Month Concerts
• And enjoyed another season of “Jersey Fresh” Produce at the Farmers Market
An organization that continues to promote environmental stewardship within the City is Groundwork Elizabeth.
Last year they:
• Broke ground on Appletree Park
• Landscaped Military Square, Magic Fountain and Lidgerwood Triangles
• Placed new plants in Mattano and Wilson Parks
• Put together the first ever Elizabeth “Nature Guide” with students from the Green Team
This year, the environmentally conscious agency will:
• Host a groundbreaking ceremony for the Elizabeth River Trail
• Celebrate the 5th annual Tour de Elizabeth
• Work with new private sector partners like PSE&G and Elizabeth’s FuelBio, the largest biodiesel facility on the east coast
As we improve our environment, expand services, increase economic development, and enhance emergency services many more people have taken notice and have decided to call Elizabeth home.
Our Elizabeth Home Improvement Program has inspired residents to achieve the American Dream of home ownership.
The program has:
• Assisted 70 families
• And allocated more than $1.2 million dollars in First Time Homeownership funds
In addition, EHIP is overseeing eleven projects under construction. These projects will create:
• 77 affordable units
• 7 commercial spaces—totaling more than $37.5 million dollars in public and private investments
As our investments and population increase so does the value of our homes. For 2007 the City of Elizabeth reported a 4 percent increase in home market values—the 5th highest in the County.
Since 2000 our median home values:
• are in the top 4 percent Statewide
• and have increased by more than 176%-- the highest in the County and the highest among the State’s 5 largest cities
We have come a long way and our strategic vision will take us to new heights and an even brighter future.
•
Improving economic development
• Creating new jobs
• Revitalizing neighborhoods
From our accomplishments-- to our wonderful community, we are inspired to do more-- and it is each one of you that serves as the inspiration to transform dreams into reality.
Olympic medalist Gail Devers once said, “Keep your dreams alive. Understand to achieve anything requires faith and belief in yourself, vision, hard work, determination and dedication. Remember all things are possible for those who believe.”
In the City of Elizabeth:
We have faith
We have vision
We work hard
We have dedicated partners
And most importantly we make the impossible a reality
People did not believe us when we said we were going to tear down old housing and give residents new homes.
Some said we would never convert a garbage dump into the largest outlet mall in the State.
Others thought we would never increase home values and revitalize neighborhoods.
And I am sure some will say that our new vision of the future will never come true. BUT we all know that there are no dreams too big that cannot be realized without hard work and determination.
Together we will continue to build, enhance, move forward, and make Our City the best place to live, work, and raise a family.
Thank you and May God continue to Bless the Troops and the City of Elizabeth
