The Hamilton Street Strategic Revitalization Plan is the product of an intensive community-based planning effort to revive, reinforce and sustain the economic vitality of the Hamilton Street business corridor.
Functioning both as an important commercial hub and symbolic “main-street” within Franklin Township, Hamilton Street 's business corridor has historically served as a home for neighborhood-oriented retail businesses and services. However, the past thirty years have not been kind to the area in terms of its aesthetics, function and market viability. It is the charge of this Strategic Revitalization Plan to arrest the slow but steady economic decline of the business corridor by setting forth a practical action plan that assigns responsibilities and provides for accountability.
To spearhead the revitalization effort, the Hamilton Street Advisory Committee was formed to provide leadership and guidance through the planning process. The Committee consisted of a wide range of community stakeholders. A series of community meetings were conducted to solicit input from business owners, property owners and area residents. Ultimately, this Strategic Revitalization Plan is a reflection of the community's substantive input.
As a result of numerous community meetings, the following set of core goals were articulated by business district stakeholders and the Advisory Committee to revitalize the economic, physical and social fabric of the business corridor and in environs. These goals frame the Strategic Revitalization Plan:
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Foster the development of merchant associations;
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Ensure a diverse mix of business establishments;
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Become a shopping and service destination for local and regional residents;
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Coordinate with Township-wide and regional economic development initiatives;
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Utilize Federal, State and County technical and financial support to encourage community and business development;
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Create an attractive, clean and appealing streetscape and neighborhood;
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Ensure a unified façade and signage system;
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Create a pedestrian-friendly environment
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Provide convenient, centrally located and available parking;
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Create a business corridor that efficiently and safely manages vehicular traffic;
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Provide a safe and secure area in which to work, shop, visit, live, and to drive, walk or bicycle through; and
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Provide a range of employment opportunities and job training options for residents and young adults.
Foremost of these goals for the business corridor's reemergence as a vital contender in the marketplace is the establishment of a Hamilton Street Business Alliance (HSBA). The best approach to economic stability, aesthetic improvements and community organization will be through the formation of the HSBA, and, ultimately, via the creation of a Special (Business) Improvement District (BID).
In developing a strategy for the revitalization of the business corridor, all discussions with community stakeholders were framed with the following questions in order to facilitate an accurate “self-analysis”:
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Where is the Hamilton Street Business District now?
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Where is the Hamilton Street Business District going?
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Where does the community want to go?
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How do we get there?
This Strategic Revitalization Plan endeavors to answer these questions, and sets achievable benchmarks for members of the community and local officials.
Other essential components the Strategic Revitalization Plan include:
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An analysis of the Hamilton Street business corridor in terms of existing land uses, zoning, urban design, vehicle circulation, pedestrian safety and demographics;
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A local and regional analysis of the market in which the business corridor functions;
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A detailed discussion of community participation and the design charrette;
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Recommendations for crucial implementation steps, including the designation of a BID, Plan Endorsement by the New Jersey State Planning Commission, CDBG Entitlement Community status, Zoning Ordinance amendments and Sign Ordinance amendments;
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Design guidelines for facades, signs, security grilles, awnings and canopies;
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Identification of additional funding sources;
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Five-year Strategic Action Plan
Somerset County 's Economic Development Improvement Program (EDIP), together with support from the Township Council, has provided the financial wherewithal and institutional support to develop the Hamilton Street Strategic Revitalization Plan.
