Elizabeth Realizes Another Brownfields Success Story
March 6, 2000

While Mayors Clancey and Penelas were holding a press conference in Miami, Mayor Chris Bollwage, Co-Chair of the Brownfields Task Force, also held a press conference in the City of Elizabeth (NJ) to unveil the findings of the “Recycling America’s Land” report as well as participate in a ribbon-cutting ceremony of the Edwards Super Food Store on a former brownfield site.

The site was formerly owned by a series of owners including Durant Motor Company, Murray Metals, the Mead Corporation and most recently by the Empire Orr Corporation. According to Mayor Bollwage, the dilapidated plant had been vacant for some time and created a negative impression for motorists coming into the city.

Mayor Bollwage said, “Thanks to the vision of the developers, assistance from our UEZ Loan Pool, and cooperation and effort from numerous entities, we now have a beautiful, 55,000 square-foot super food store, creating 160 new jobs for area residents, thousands of dollars in revenue for the city, and most importantly a safe and clean retail environment which will only help the city in our efforts of revitalizing the community.”

“I believe brownfield redevelopment is a major component in the success of any urban center, it brings to communities such advantages as environmental clean-up, economic development and maximum land usage, and here in Elizabeth we are doing just that,” Mayor Bollwage said.

Mayor Bollwage stated, “As co-chairman of The U.S. Conference of Mayors Brownfields Task Force, and the Mayor of Elizabeth, I am extremely supportive of national, state and local efforts to encourage and assist in the redevelopment of America’s forgotten real estate.”