Mayor’s column

Secaucus, A Town That Has it All! M

The central business district in the plaza is the first place visitors see when coming into town. The down town has been a priority for our revitalization program with many improvements including a charming new gazebo, stylish town clock, and seasonal plantings. Spring tulips are already in full bloom. A new evergreen tree was planted last year to add to the annual holiday festivities.
The second phase of the project would entail landscaped islands in the center of town. The orange poles that make up the divider on Paterson Plank Road would be replaced with a more aesthetically pleasing concrete divider. The upgrade would be similar to the landscaped dividers on Flanagan Way that will not only add to the beauty of the area, but will also be a safety feature for traffic. Secaucus is also showing its pride through flags and banners in the plaza.
The continuous upgrades contribute to the ‘hometown’ appeal that patrons enjoy while taking a leisurely walk downtown to browse the mom-pop establishments or gather at one of the benches to chat with friends.
The enhancements are taking the central business district in a new positive direction as more businesses are calling Secaucus home and moving into the previously vacant store fronts. A local resident opened A Taste of the Boardwalk on Front Street in space previously occupied by Secaucus Pizza. The new eatery offers a selection of popular shore foods. Zach’s restaurant, formerly the Ideal, also on Front Street recently changed hands to Molly McEvoy and Lee’s Chinese on the corner of Golden Avenue. Feel Good Café reopened as Feel Good Italian Fusion Grill, on Paterson Plank Road, under the same ownership. Craft Critique has also opened in the plaza and Empire Realty is moving into space vacated by Weichert Realty. Plans are also in the works for a new Bagel and Breakfast shop where Suga Sushi Restaurant vacated last year on Front Street and the trendy Pineapple Yogurt is vying for space near CVS.
The increase of new businesses interested in investing in the downtown, the heart of the community, is a good sign for the struggling economy. With temperatures warming up, it’s a good time to come out and visit the new establishments as well as the existing businesses that have made Secaucus home for many years.
Buchmuller Park, also in the heart of the plaza is being renovated through capital investment. A quarter million dollars is earmarked to construct a new kiddie playground and new picnic tables, expand the summer sprinkler play shower in addition to a new gazebo, and renovating the pavilion and band shell. The ice rink will be completely overhauled starting with repaving, adding a new scoreboard with sound system for year round sports including indoor basketball, roller skating and street hockey.
While all this is going on in the plaza, Harmon Meadow is also seeing considerable new growth. Several popular restaurants are showing interest on the outskirts of town. Buy Rite Liquor is coming soon on Route Three West. Panera Bread recently opened and Carrabba’s will be opening in June. Panera has been a generous neighbor through donation of bread products for the less fortunate. The ever popular Cups is coming into space previously occupied by TCBY, and two new Hotels are considering making Secaucus its home. We are also waiting for some exciting news from Buffalo Wild Wings and possibly Cracker Barrel.
And to round it all out, there is a new Kiddie Academy and Dry Cleaner at Xchange as well as LAX, Restaurant and Liquor Store. Field Station, the new Dinosaur Park will be opening soon at Laurel Hill in the South End of town.
This administration is committed to supporting local businesses in town, large and small, and encourages members of the community to consider patronizing the specialty shops and restaurants during the year. This is Secaucus, a town that really has it all.

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