Former industrial district
could soon thrive again

What has long been a blighted section of Milltown could soon become a bustling downtown district, thanks to the recent work of the borough’s Ford Avenue Redevelopment Agency.

Agency members have been working tirelessly over the past several months, doing whatever is necessary to turn a group of mostly wasted, old buildings into something useful for the community.

Established last year after local officials grew tired of waiting for the property’s owners to do something with the property, the redevelopment agency has been meeting monthly to consider ideas for the site and how to go about making them a reality.

It has been able to use the services of an attorney, an engineer and a financial firm, thanks to funding put up by the Middlesex County Improvement Authority.

Agency members, who envision bringing a mix of residential — perhaps age-restricted housing — commercial and professional uses to the Ford Avenue site, have been contacted by developers they say are enthusiastic about taking on the project. More developers may come forward now that the agency has begun advertising for official proposals.

Things are certainly looking up, as the property owners have been willing to cooperate with the initial stages of the process, which involve property appraising and a preliminary check of the site’s environmental conditions.

This is a chance for all parties to benefit. And those parties aren’t limited to the buyer and seller alone. The values of surrounding real estate stand to increase anytime you breathe new life into a blighted area. Also benefiting from the redevelopment will be the taxpayers of Milltown, who can certainly use help in the form of a major tax revenue source in what will hopefully be the near future.

Residents should be pleased to hear that things are happening quickly to bring about change on Ford Avenue, but at the same time, they should be encouraged to become involved in the discussions and in the planning processes.

Borough officials expect to choose a developer and have a plan in place by late January. There is plenty of time for residents to chime in with their own ideas and help steer the redevelopment.

Let it be said, though, that the redevelopment agency appears to be moving quickly and diligently in the right direction.