New Jersey’s chapter of the American Planing Association is set to host a walking tour of Hopewell on May 11.
APA-NJ named Broad Street a Great Street as part of its 2012 Great Places in New Jersey list. Hopewell Borough mayor, Paul Anzano, and members of the governing body are set discuss the efforts made to preserve the street’s historic qualities during the two-hour tour.
APA describes a “great places” as an area that offers better choices for where and how people work and live because it is enjoyable, safe and desirable.
The organization notes Broad Street features unique restaurants, antique shops, specialty services and centuries-old residences, making it the focal point of the town.
In 2005, New Jersey Department of Transportation funded streetscape improvements through a federal Transportation Enhancement grant. Phase I of the project included removal of deteriorated concrete, sidewalk and curbing, installation of new red and grey brick sidewalks, hitching posts, landscaping, and pedestrian scale lighting.
The borough was awarded an additional $917,000 grant for Phase II, which included installing new handicap sidewalk ramps, street furniture and ornamental planters. Improvements were completed in 2011.
These improvements helped increase pedestrian safety and slow vehicular travel and resulted in Hopewell Borough being featured as a key model for the Complete Streets initiative.
On May 10, a day before the tour, Broad Street is set to host Cruise Night. The event features classic cars.
The tour is scheduled to being 10 a.m. at Hopewell Borough Hall, 88 East Broad Street.
RSVP to APA representative Paul Gleitz at pgleitz@gmail.com.
More information is online at njplanning.org.
