OUR PRIORITIES

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Promoting Inclusivity & Public Engagement

In 2019, we successfully established communication, collaboration and partnerships that included:

  • Master Plan Town Halls: Afforded residents an opportunity to articulate their vision for the future.

  • Heritage Flag Raising: Continued the township tradition of celebrating diversity through flag raising ceremonies for all the communities that make up our great Township.

  • The Teen Advisory Committee.

  • Special Needs Community: Through our Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) Committee, continues to fundraise, raise awareness, and advocate for, a more accessible and fairer Union.

  • LGBTQ+ Community: Hosted its Inaugural Pride Month Flag raising ceremony in June 2019 celebrating the diversity of our community.

  • Parking Advisory Committee: Comprised of residents and professionals to develop recommendations regarding Township’s Parking Plan.

  • Seniors: Continued to provide a plethora of programs and services for our senior community.

Improving quality & lifespan of our infrastructure assets

From rising property values throughout the Township to expanded economic investment in all corners to the overwhelming attraction of families looking to move into Union, it has never been more important to improve the quality of the Township’s infrastructure. In 2018, the Township Committee embarked on a town-wide comprehensive road reconstruction program that was expanded in 2019 and will continue to be robust in 2020. Infrastructure is not just limited to roads, and in 2019 we saw the design, renovation or reconstruction of the following parks:

  • Veterans Memorial Park: Included landscaping, lighting, walkways, and new honor roll plaques.

  • Davis Park Basketball Courts.

  • Springfield Avenue: Included pedestrian scale lighting, festive holiday lights and decorations, street furniture, and trash receptacles. The Springfield Avenue/Millburn Avenue intersection serves as one of the busiest gateways into Union. Much hard work was undertaken to make way for a neighborhood plaza that enhances the pedestrian experience, increases patronage to nearby businesses, and provides a welcomed passive recreation area for our community.

INVESTING in Revitalization & Redevelopment

2019 was a remarkable year for our redevelopment efforts, yielding many benefits including blight elimination, tax base expansion, strategic planning for population shifts, increased property values and job retention & creation. The fact is redevelopment contributes mightily to our tax base. It keeps our taxes low. It allows us to expand recreation programs and community initiatives available to all of our residents. When complete, these projects represent a total investment in Union Township approximating an impressive $1 billion.

  • Demolition of the old CC Mugs and Rimmele Florist sites on Stuyvesant Ave. with construction to begin in 2020.

  • Demolition of Garden State Motel and reconstructed in 2020 with a Fairfield Suites, Wawa, Wendy’s, and a Storage Facility.

  • Demolition of Weinstein Scrap Metal Site pending Planning Board approval in January 2020.

  • Converting of the vacant property on Spruce St/Morris Ave. into a new facility owned by the Children’s Specialized Hospital.

  • Demolition of Garden Buffet on 1181 Morris Avenue, and redevelopment into a new mixed-used development.

  • Development of the American Landmark Developers Project that will continue to transform and modernize Union Center. Phase 1 on Bonnel Court will be complete and open by February 2020. Construction will then proceed for Phase 2 at the old Rite Aid site and then Phase 3 from Terminal Mills to Unity Bank.

  • Development of the Titan Union Project, formerly known as The ConnectOne Bank property, which has nearly completed demolition. Once complete, the project will include a community space and an arts and culture element.

  • Development of 24 units on 1206 Stuyvesant Ave, built over Brooklyn Pizza.

  • Development of Vermella Union with Phase 1 near completion and Phase 2 beginning soon.

  • Expansion of Summit Court with Phase 1 completed and Phase 2 to begin in 2020.

Responsible financial planning

Due to strong management and fiscally responsible policies, Standard & Poors reaffirmed the Township’s AA+ financial rating. Our pledge to the residents of Union is that these principles will continue in 2020 and beyond.

2020 Plans

  • Initiate the Decennial 2020 Census Advisory Committee.

  • Launch a Union Center Arts & Culture Initiative through Pop-Up venues.

  • Support a Black Box Theater in Union Center.

  • Launch free WiFi in the Center Initiative to foster connectivity in the Township.

  • Bolster Union’s Engagement Efforts and collaborations with the Board of Education.

  • Commence the Springfield Avenue Façade Improvement Program.

  • Launch the Female Leadership Initiative.

  • Complete the Park Master Plan.

  • Complete the Springfield Pedestrian Plaza Project.

  • Support the Union Public Library Renovation Project.