Dive summary:
- Several years ago, residents of Somerville, N.J. started working on a new plan to redevelop an old landfill site; now, their work is paying off as their proposal is close to receiving $900,000 in funding from the city to purchase the property.
- The landfill has been closed since 1984; it was originally going to be used to build a shopping center but an 18-year long legal battle over the site squandered that possibility.
- Many residents want to build a network of trails, boardwalks and athletic fields around the 100-plus acre site.
From the article:
"... Now, with the help of Somerset County officials, the borough is inching closer to realizing that vision as part of the long-awaited redevelopment of the more than 100-acre site, which includes the landfill property and an NJTransit train station. The mostly vacant site is bordered by Veterans Memorial Drive, South Bridge Street and Route 206.
Somerset County Freeholders are expected to vote Tuesday on approving a nearly $900,000 grant to the borough to go toward the purchase of a roughly six-acre property for that 43-acre open-space network, referred to as the 'Green Seam.'
The remainder of the purchase price, which could be up to $1.2 million, would likely be covered by a state grant, said Colin Driver, the borough’s director of economic development. The "Green Seam" represents the area between the landfill portion and property near the train station. ..."
