Masonry Magazine February 2008 Page. 39
Revitalization of Downtown Westfield
Westfield, New Jersey, is a wonderful example of how a city can revitalize its downtown area and create a thriving community. The city's downtown area had become run-down and neglected, but through a comprehensive revitalization plan, Westfield has transformed its downtown into a vibrant and attractive destination for residents and visitors alike.
One of the key elements of the revitalization plan was the installation of new streetscape products. The city chose Boral pavers for their durability and aesthetic appeal. Made from genuine clay, Boral's pavers were also considered superior to other streetscape products as they are guaranteed to never fade.
With a beautiful foundation in place, Westfield's building facades are continually undergoing treatments and renovations to bring back the charm and character of historical buildings. The local bakery shop even used photographs of buildings from the early-1900s as a guide to add new windows, framing and doors to its storefront.
Result
The comprehensive revitalization of downtown Westfield garnered praise from local businesses and residents, establishing downtown as a significant element of the city. The downtown occupancy rate remains a constant 97 percent, and big name retailers like Lord and Taylor, Williams Sonoma and Trader Joe's have established a presence there. These new businesses thrive side-by-side with existing Westfield merchants, a third of whom have been doing business downtown for the last 25 years or more. Additionally, residents and businesses in Westfield have experienced an increase in property values.
Best of all, Westfield was bestowed the Great American Main Street Award by the National Trust in 2004. This award is given annually to five of the nation's 1,600 Main Street Communities. Of the 566 towns in New Jersey, only 26 are considered Main Street Communities designated by the National Trust. Westfield has earned redesignation each year since 1993.
For more information about the revitalization of Downtown Westfield, N.J., visit www.westfieldtoday.com/Downtown.html.
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