March
2002
View
from the Hill: A
random thoughts sort of thing
By
Brian Hill
I
am working on an article that was to go into this month's edition
but circumstances prevented it. So phase two. Cool things in and
around town some you know…some you don't… a random thoughts
sort of thing …
- How
wonderful is it that in this time of budget cuts and trimming
up government, OUR Mayor sees the future of Trenton and honors
Trenton's
Treasure," Tom Malloy, with the title of Artist Laureate
(our first) and a $5,000 per year stipend! It makes you very proud.
-
What a year we are about to have with the Lafayette Yard Marriott
Conference Hotel opening within a few weeks. Kudos to the Mayor
on his vision.
-
Street-Scape project is about to start. New lighting, sidewalks,
facades and paving…starting with the district around the
Hotel and then going out from there.
-
The Caola building is soon expected to be taken over by the Rouse
Group (Frank X. Moya Architect) with retail, office and restaurant
spaces going in. With their proven track record (see Baltimore
Harbor) this is a great addition to make these folks comfortable.
-
And the tunnel: Regardless of the controversy, it will be nice
when Cass Street is back to normal. And how easy will it be to
get to Trenton from the shore or the turnpike when it opens?
-
The light-rail line is on its way…and wouldn't it be neat
if they put the cherry on the top by making it end at the State
Museum?
-
The Trenton Thunder have chosen Massimo's in Hamilton, a staple
in the Hamilton community for 29 years, as the new pizza vendor
for the next three years. Thus keeping the money in the greater
Trenton area.
-
The new home in the 900 block of Bellevue Avenue is so well done
it looks as if it has been there for years, and congratulations
and thank you for picking Trenton.
-
Speaking of the West Ward…we are close to getting a supermarket
and as I drove past Schofield Cleaners on West State Street (a
great drycleaner by the way) the trailer was put in place today…the
firehouse project has begun with full construction starting February
25!
-
What about the call for memorabilia from the City, in anticipation
of the 100th anniversary of Cadwalader Park there will be an exhibit
at Ellarslie from May 1-31, 2002 of all the work collected…with
an opening night of May 3.
-
There's great news for downtown…the Commons are being torn
out beginning in early March in Phase One of the project and Phase
Two should follow shortly thereafter…. won't it be nice giving
directions when that's complete? The cool part is that there will
be the capability of balustrading the street so block parties
and special events can still take place…
-
How unbelievable the First Friday's have been. Just a few words
in a meeting started the ball rolling and now it's here. Allowing
for some inclement weather…when spring hits, it's going to
rocket.
-
We have a new Director of the State Museum, Helen Shannon…welcome
to our town and thanks for moving into Trenton.
-
Could there be a new Director for TDA as well…maybe someone
with local ties? Stay tuned for this one.
-
About First Friday's…don't forget there are two parts….
One at Conduit and one at Warren Street that bends around to Rhinehart-Fischer
Gallery on Lafayette Street.
-
Trenton has a new newspaper…that's amazing…thanks to
Jamie on your dedication.
- I
understand that the construction crews for the new parking garage
that's being assembled between KatManDu and Riverview Complex
are trying to finish the garage before the tunnel opens...sort
of a race… and the difference between private enterprise
and DOT.
-
And how neat is it …the terrific programming at Conduit?
- And
the be all to end it all…Charles Webster is back in Trenton…writing
for the Trentonian…welcome home Charles!!! This town is about
to explode into a Renaissance. Or maybe it's been in the works
and the fruit is finally budding. Either way, the View from here
is sure pleasing to the eye…Let's keep this rolling. It feels
to good too stop…thanks for listening.
#
# #
Brian
Hill is the director of Ellarslie, the Trenton City Museum.
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