What a long strange trip it's been….. The Boulevard at Brunswick Pike

            About two weeks ago, many of you saw actual work to further the project that, through many iterations, became known as "THE BOULEVARD AT BRUNSWICK PIKE – A UNIFIED STREETSCAPE." On February 20, 2020, I published an article detailing the long history of the project and explaining some key factors, including a timeline for work to commence. Little did I know that in just several weeks, a health pandemic would rock our world in too many ways to describe here. Needless to say, this capital improvement project, along with many others (worldwide), was sidelined to allow government officials to focus on the immediate health and safety challenges presented by an unprecedented event where no playbook existed.   Witnessing the "shovel in the ground" on this project was an incredible and long-awaited moment for our community.   The following incorporates some of the information I shared in my 2020 article and some present-day facts to get you all up to date.

             In checking the records in our engineering department, the earliest documentation we found about the Township's efforts to improve the streetscape along Brunswick Pike date to 2005.  For those involved in all things "Lawrence" back then, you may have a personal recollection of discussions on this topic before 2005, but for our purposes, I am putting 18 years as the most accurate time frame.  Records I have reviewed indicate that our Township officials agreed with NJDOT (2010) on a plan to create a pedestrian-friendly urban streetscape that promotes commercial development.  The agreement included slowing traffic speed, improving pedestrian circulation and connectivity, and adding aesthetic elements to provide context for a "Main Street" environment. The design and planning were completed in 2015.

            For those who may not be aware, this section of road between Brunswick Circle to Lake Drive (U.S. Route 1) has always been owned and maintained by the State of New Jersey.  For the past several years, the Township took over that portion by agreement with the State after the State completed improvements that included the construction of the round-a-bout at Whitehead Rd, created on-street parking, widened the grass medians, and installed pedestrian crosswalks. These improvements provided the "bones" for the Township to complete the final improvements in creating a more pedestrian-friendly ("Main Street") environment.

             Once that work was completed, the Township immediately applied for and received a $60,000 grant to study and design a streetscape.  We then had our "community conversation" at several meetings (2/11/20 – Growth and Redevelopment Committee Meeting, 3/11/20 at the Slackwood Fire House, and council meetings) and obtained feedback and support from the stakeholders (i.e., our residents). 

            This has been a very long process, but our commitment to get this done was strong and sincere.  This section of our town deserves the attention we are giving it now after a long strange trip to get here. Though some may believe the plan falls short of expectations or possibilities, these improvements are thoughtful, significant, reasonable, and represent a fiscally responsible project.   And when you throw in the fact that we won a $700,000 grant from the State of New Jersey to do this work, it is hard to see a downside.

             The goals and framework we followed for this project are as follows:

 • Integrate the commercial corridor with the surrounding residential neighborhoods;

• Create safe pedestrian connections;

• Transform a highway to a more pedestrian-oriented "place";

• Honor the history of this transportation corridor; and

• Engage the community in design development

             Though our community discussions and planning involved the installation of "wind turbines" on the Whitehead Road round-a-bout, they have proven problematic from a traffic safety standard. We are opting for landscaping and planting a mature Red Bud tree at the center.

             I hope that our community can rally behind this project and appreciate the importance of responsibly making the strategic improvements we can and should make throughout our town.  Eighteen years is a long time, but over the last six years, we recentered our focus, kept our eye on the prize, and are getting it done!

The link to the report on the streetscape purpose and elements is here: 

https://www.lawrencetwp.com/media/Departments/EngineeringPlanningZoning/Reports%20MP%20Ammendments/Brunswick%20Pike%20Streetscape%20Design%20May%202020.pdf