HILLSDALE—A councilman on the Economic Development Committee said the committee soon will identify five downtown areas “that could use some sprucing up” as a first step in revitalization efforts.
Councilman Frank Pizzella said the committee is working on a proposal it will soon present to council.
“It’s basically sort of an approach to dealing with some of the downtown revitalization, or at least starting it, without getting too intense,” Pizzella said at the Nov. 9 council meeting.
He said the idea was initiated by Councilman Zoltán Horváth when he was on the committee.
Pizzella added the committee was working on a branding program for Hillsdale to attract businesses and investment.
He said a committee appointed by Mayor John Ruocco to discuss design and negotiate for a redeveloper’s agreement has met with the redeveloper for the former Waste Management property on two site visits — “a couple meetings to exchange ideas” — and was drafting a redevelopment schedule.
Pizzella said the committee includes himself, Ruocco, councilwoman Janetta Trochimiuk, Business Administrator Chris Tietjen, special redevelopment counsel Joseph Bauman, and Francis Reiner, of DMR Architects.
On Oct. 12, the council approved an agreement with Waste Management property conditional redeveloper CP Hillsdale LLC, formed by Claremont Development and March Development, both LLCs based in Morristown.
The pact calls for a six-month deadline to complete a redeveloper’s agreement and requires the redeveloper put $25,000 in escrow to reimburse borough professionals.
If the 180-day period to produce and sign a redeveloper’s agreement is not met, the redeveloper’s agreement remains in effect unless the borough terminates it, borough officials said.