will help offset and stabilize the tax burden on the residential side,” asserts Cilento. INFRASTRUCTURE AND COMMUNITY SERVICES Borough Administrator, Alex Miller shares that Columbia Park, one of Dunellen’s cherished community spaces, underwent significant updates in 2019, which he conveys were a “huge benefit for the community.” The renovations included a stateof-the-art turf football and soccer field, a rubberized track, beautifully refurbished tennis courts, and a new playground. Dunellen is also working on improving essential municipal services, and an expansion or potential replacement of the Municipal Hall is currently being assessed. “We’re working with planners and our engineers and professional staff on what our options are. It is good for us to evaluate and see what’s best fiscally for the municipality because we clearly don’t want to overspend,” acknowledges welcome them. It’s one of those,‘if you build it, they will come’ scenarios. I’m hopeful that they will come.” DOWNTOWN INVESTMENT AND DEVELOPMENT Enticing both businesses and residents into Dunellen is key to these redevelopment efforts. Cilento recounts,“The more expendable income that is within the downtown, the more likely it will help attract more diverse kinds of businesses because there is now more opportunity in the market for them.” A major project is Dunellen Station’s “Art Color” development, which transformed a 19-acre factory site into a vibrant new community with easy access to transportation.This $110 million investment is home to retail spaces, townhomes, and rental apartments, including affordable units, and convenient amenities that make life easier for commuters and families. Located in the downtown core, this new community will also bring additional retail space. “Our goal is that through the revitalization of our downtown, we will then increase the commercial values, which 6 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 05, ISSUE 10
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