HAWORTH, N.J.—A nearly $600,000 downtown improvement project to make the “streetscape” more attractive for residents, visitors and shoppers began July 22 and the borough engineer says work should be completed mostly by mid-September.
Most work should be done before the Haworth 5K & 10K run in September, said Borough Engineer Chistopher Statile July 25. Statile told Northern Valley Press that the improvement project continues work done on Stevens Place two years ago and plans to make the downtown business district more attractive to shoppers.
Design ‘embellishments’
“After many public meetings, a final design was selected offering embellishments complementary to the streetscaping improvements of other nearby communities,” said Statile.
He said the project will undertake improvements on Terrace Street, starting from Haworth Avenue to St. Nicholas Avenue, and also on St. Nicholas Avenue, heading east to Stevens Place.
Statile said the project’s total cost is $592,668. He said the borough received a $220,000 state transportation department grant in 2018, and a $212,000 DOT grant in 2019, with about $50,000 set aside for Stevens Place improvements.
He said a 2016 county Open Space matching grant for $16,500 will be used for improvements to nearby Terrace Street Park, near the intersection with St. Nicholas Avenue.
“Over the past many years, the borough has desired to keep up with the changing business environment and enhance the downtown business district and park to encourage patronage in its retail shops and restaurants,” said Statile in a statement. “It’s a great thing for Haworth and downtown businesses,” added Statile.
Statile said complete access to all businesses will be possible during streetscape construction activities. He told Northern Valley Press he had spoken to downtown business owners that day and they had expressed excitement and enthusiasm for the project.
The long-planned project will provide a host of downtown improvements to both sides of Terrace Street and St. Nicholas Avenue.
These include: all new concrete curbs; new concrete sidewalks and handicapped-accessible ramps at crosswalks; brick pavers around tree wells; 11 new shade trees with electrical outlets for holiday signage; 21 new ornamental light fixtures to illuminate downtown for shopper safety; light poles that can accommodate banners; flags and extra lighting; plus milling and paving of streets.
Parking spaces remain unchanged, he said.
Terrace Park improvements planned include: new paver walkways and a flagpole with lights; new seating area with benches and tables, relocation of monuments; new landscaping beds; and relocated/new picnic tables in a newly mulched area.
“We’ve really needed something downtown in terms of streetscape improvements for a long time,” said Councilman Glenn Poosikian. “We’re hoping the improvements will bring in new shoppers and improve the downtown experience. It will be a lot nicer,” he said.
Poosikian said July and August were selected for street renovations due to less traffic and congestion.
“We figured this would be the least painful time to get something like this done, and make sure all the concrete is set before it’s time to put down the [deicing] salt,” he said.
“We’re looking forward to completing it,” he added.
