Home > Mayor's Office > Speeches
2011 State of the City Address
Reverend Clergy, members of the City Council, elected officials, friends, family and citizens:
As our country navigates through these challenging economic times, we focus on investments that will:
- Give residents more opportunities
- Build our economy stronger
- And SECURE our position as the GREATEST urban center in New Jersey
John F. Kennedy once said, "... Surviving the perils of today...compels us to invest in our.... future, to consider and meet our obligations to our children and generations that will follow."
We have invested in our:
- Neighborhoods
- Safety & Technology
- And Economic Development
And this year we continue to INVEST in Elizabeth's FUTURE:
- Maintaining our services
- Strengthening the foundation of our community
- and preparing for our success in the next decade
Continuing our vision, we have paved the way for more efficient and accessible transportation.
Last year, we completed a $14 million dollar Road Resurfacing Program, which included 25 streets throughout our business and residential neighborhoods.
We have invested $3 million dollars in a flood improvement program. From storm sewer upgrades along Verona and Gebhardt Avenues to drainage system enhancements on Summer Street, these projects will:
- Alleviate flooding
- Incorporate catch basins
- Add a new pumping station and control building at Kean University
While we work on our infrastructure, we are also improving the pedestrian walkways in our busiest shopping districts.
Using funds from President Obama's Stimulus Program, we have invested in new streetscapes on Elizabeth Avenue and Broad Street including:
- new sidewalks
- light posts
- crosswalks
- trees
As our business districts continue to grow and thrive, it is important to develop support structures to meet the needs and demands of their expansion.
This year a brand new 1,500 space parking deck and 27,000 s/f commercial project will be open in Midtown.
Located on West Jersey Street, the new development will consist of an:
- 8-story parking deck
- 3-story office/retail building
- creating more places to park while you shop and visit Elizabeth
From restoring our business districts to investing in our infrastructure, we are transforming neighborhoods.
Working closely with Kean University, we are identifying retail, housing and service needs within our Transit Village area.
The recently completed Morris Avenue Study, examines the creation of a University Boulevard, which will directly link Kean University to our Midtown including:
- new streetscapes
- pedestrian and bikeways
- mixed retail
- increased residential space
- green development
- and employment opportunities
Strengthening this partnership, we have developed a new initiative, which will assist local merchants and prospective business owners.
The NJ Small Business Development Center at Kean University has joined with the City to offer a series of bi-weekly workshops at the Elizabeth Business Resource Center.
These investments will ensure that visitors, families and merchants continue to support and contribute to the ongoing growth of our business districts.
From shopping our local stores to dining at one of our unique restaurants, there is something for everyone in Elizabeth!
More than 30 establishments participated in our highly successful Restaurant Week, showcasing our culinary diversity.
The partnership with the Elizabeth Rotary Club, attracted hundreds of new customers who made significant investments in our local economy.
Promoting our retail businesses is important, as is supporting our community partners.
Brand New Day is working to aid residents hurting from the housing and economic crisis by:
- building affordable housing
- providing foreclosure and homeownership counseling
- and engaging in neighborhood redevelopment
A new 6-unit condominium project, located on First Street, is providing investment opportunities for first time homebuyers.
These Energy Star Certified homes will feature:
- 3 Bedrooms/2 Baths
- A Community Room
- And Private Parking
Brand New Day is not just focused on brick and mortar, they are investing in the future of our families.
Featured in the Star Ledger, the new $1.7 million dollar "YouthBuild" initiative is helping participants:
- learn the construction trade
- manage personal finances
- and interview for jobs
Providing hope and rebuilding lives, this program offers young adults a second chance to be positive role models and make productive contributions throughout our City.
We are making investments in the development and well-being of our children.
This year, our Recreation Department will continue improvements with:
- A new gym floor at Erxleben
- state of the art spray park on Anna Street
- and synthetic turf at the Waterfront fields
On New Point Road and South Park Street, Grier Playground was created. Funded in part through a Union County Grant, it features:
- two play areas for children
- sidewalks and curbing
- and new trees
We also:
- renovated infields
- added a warning track to Hanratty and Elizabeth Port Fields
- installed new roofs at Erxleben, Miller Evans Logan and Mickey Walker Centers
- And during the summer, we provided free lunch and snacks to more than 1,400 children
As our population increases, we must continue to invest in our youth.
Our Office on Youth just completed their 11th year, providing children with a productive atmosphere to grow through:
- Building Future Leaders
- S.O.A.R.
- Safe Haven
- Curfew and Afterschool Programs
From youth-oriented activities to events such as the Read-a-Thon and Citywide Spelling Bee, these initiatives instill the importance of investing in our community and have provided our young adults with many resources for success.
Ladies and Gentlemen, green energy, technology and jobs are one of the fastest growing development paths to prosperity. We have planned and prepared for it.
As one of the top 50 greenest cities in the nation, our investments in our children, our city and our environment are paying off.
Partnering with community organizations for environmental improvements, Groundwork Elizabeth has:
- honored our Veterans through the revitalization of Sheridan Park
- developed The Green Team with high school students
- incorporated park cleanups and the Planter Program
- and held the 7th Annual Tour de Elizabeth, attracting nearly 500 riders
Last year the City of Elizabeth was one of sixty-seven municipalities in New Jersey that received a bronze level certification through the Sustainable Jersey program, which:
- increases our eligibility for grant funding
- and enhances ongoing Green initiatives
The City of Elizabeth has completed energy audits on its municipal buildings, and all will be retrofitted with solar panels by Spring 2011.
These upgrades will:
- increase our efficiency
- reduce energy costs by nearly $270,000 in the first year alone
- and result in an accumulated savings of $4.4 million dollars over time
Our City will use more than $750,000 dollars in funds from the Energy Block Grant to implement audit recommendations. This investment in new energy will create jobs for our residents.
To help homeowners save on utility bills, we launched the Energy Revolving Loan Program.
And under this innovative new program homeowners can:
- Weatherize and seal their house
- Leverage government rebates and incentives
- Upgrade lights and lighting fixtures
- Install heating, ventilation, and air conditioning units
Quickly becoming the future of development, green architecture helps residents and businesses save money.
The Elizabeth Development Company continues to spearhead initiatives and provide assistance throughout our City.
Green design was incorporated into the Laundry Warehouse located on the Bayway Circle. Investments at this facility included:
- A green heating system
- Saving up to 40% in overall costs
Further investing in our community, Atalanta Corporation completed their $19 million dollar expansion, adding:
- more than 72,000 s/f of warehouse and office space
- and generating 75 new jobs
Atalanta continues to be an advocate for green energy, creating a Demand Response System and incorporating:
- Motion Sensor lights
- Solar panels
- And trees along Slater Drive
Under EDC's Renewable Energy Capital Stimulus Program, Danic Two was approved to install solar panels on a newly constructed, refrigerated warehouse. Energy from the system will:
- Offset electricity consumption
- And provide an annual savings of $45,000 dollars
In total last year, EDC:
- Distributed more than $1.6 million dollars in funding
- Created more than 100 employment opportunities
- And leveraged more than $16 million dollars in private and public investments
As we invest in our environment we continue to look for ways to reduce energy costs and create affordable housing.
This Spring, the state's first senior affordable Gold LEED certified building, will open in Elizabeth.
This 30 unit, $10 million mixed-use investment, will feature 3,700 s/f of commercial space and include:
- Energy star appliances
- Rainwater catchment system
- Sun Shades
- And solar paneling
Last year, the City of Elizabeth received nearly $5 million dollars in Neighborhood Stabilization funds, which leveraged an additional $14 million dollars in investments.
Utilizing green technology, 92 residential units will be constructed including 14 buildings in:
- Elizabethport
- New Point Road
- and Keighry Head
And as we continue to enhance our City, we are also investing in our future by incorporating interactive media and green technology.
Through a joint venture between the City of Elizabeth and Kean University a new touch-screen kiosk is now open at Jersey Gardens. Located on the second floor in front of the new Forever 21, you can navigate our city and the university in just minutes.
Whether you are looking for a restaurant, a place to stay or interested in furthering your education, this kiosk has it all.
With 15 million visitors from 154 countries, Jersey Gardens remains one of the top tourist destinations in the state.
With another successful year, the mall continues to flourish with expansions and new store openings such as:
- The first ever Lord & Taylor Outlet
- Armani Exchange
- And H&M
Now in its eleventh year, our Retail Skills Center is continuing to invest in our residents by providing employment opportunities:
- Training 565 people in 2010
- And finding jobs for more than 400 residents
From expansions to renovations, investments in our businesses continued.
From September to December alone, more than 200 new jobs have been created, including 43 positions at the brand new 24-hour Sonic Drive-In, located on Route 1 & 9!
Just down the street from Sonic and Jersey Gardens is a newly renovated IKEA. This $40 million investment includes:
- a warehouse extension
- reconfiguration of its operations
- and larger, updated showrooms
And Wakefern Food Corporation, which operates more than 200 ShopRites among other brands, will expand their facilities and create new employment opportunities in Elizabeth.
During their decision making process, when Wakefern was exploring its options, we wanted to ensure they remained in Elizabeth.
We put together an economic team, which conveyed our pro-business philosophy and highlighted the benefits our great City has to offer.
By choosing to keep Elizabeth their home, not only hundreds of jobs will be saved, but hundreds of new jobs will be created for our residents.
With the aide of more than $44 million dollars in Recovery Zone Bonds, Wakefern will invest in a new state-of-the-art facility, which will:
- Add more than 32,000 s/f
- help retain 345 employees
- and create 350 new jobs
We continue to invest in the quality of life for our seniors.
This year, over two-thousand seniors benefited from activities at our centers.
Including:
- Workshops
- college classes
- computer training
As our senior population grows and we continue to provide activities throughout our City... additional transportation is essential.
In 2011, we will purchase two new senior buses!
Our Health Department is dedicated to providing free health services to our residents with:
- 800 seasonal flu shots
- 900 immunizations
- dental services for more than 1800 children
- and 1200 residents served at our public health clinic
This year, the City's Health Department will work closely with Kean University. From our Senior Centers to our Afterschool Programs, new workshops will be added, expanding access to information and services.
Trinitas Regional Medical Center continues to invest in their facilities and create jobs for our community.
As the County's second largest employer, Trinitas:
has created one of the country's top wound healing centers
will develop the state-of-the-art Center of Regional Education on Elizabeth Avenue:
providing medical skills
health training
serving up to 50,000 people every year
Our investments in public safety continue as we enhance vital services.
In 2010, the City of Elizabeth received grants totaling more than $2 million, which will allow the Police Department to:
install 150 cameras linked directly to headquarters
and mitigate traffic problems and ease transportation
Last year, in partnership with the Elizabeth Housing Authority, surveillance cameras were installed at Mravlag Manor.
Through the use of these cameras and off-site surveillance, the streets of Elizabeth have received an added level of protection.
In addition, the Police Department was able to purchase 12 new vehicles equipped with:
Mobile Data terminals
Global Positioning Systems
As well as radios, lights and sirens
To improve efficiency we have streamlined emergency operations. Increasing response time and overall effectiveness, Police and Fire Dispatch were combined into a Centralized Center within Police Headquarters.
The Elizabeth Fire Department continues to upgrade their equipment and invest in their vehicle fleet.
More than $2 million in federal grant funding was secured, enabling the addition of:
Heavy Rescue and Maritime Response Units
Extrication Equipment
Turn-out Gear and Personal Rescue Systems
Our INVEST Elizabeth vision is about sound fiscal management, great partnerships and planning for the future.
It is the strength of this vision that will keep Elizabeth the region's premiere destination.
INVEST Elizabeth means:
Beautifying and preserving our environment
Growing our economy in exciting new ways
Improving the health and well-being of our children
Utilizing green technology and enhancing opportunities
And above all, improving safety through state-of-the-art advancements
The quality of our investments is defined by the strength of our partnerships and the impact on our future.
But the greatest investment we can make is in the potential of our residents.
Ward by Ward, we are increasing jobs and improving neighborhood services. From North End to Bayway, from the Port to Elmora, our investments are providing the people of Elizabeth with the resources to build better lives.
It is the promise of our remarkable City that strengthens our vision and enables us to create a more exceptional tomorrow.
As we move forward, hand and hand, we continue to expand our horizons and embrace our investments together:
because these are OUR neighborhoods
this is OUR home
and this IS ELIZABETH'S MOMENT
Thank you and May God continue to Bless the City of Elizabeth.
