An Update on Downtown
While it may appear that nothing is happening, there's a lot going on behind the scenes to revitalize our downtown.
Former Audi Dealership - The new owners of this building will be keeping the existing footprint, but will be renovating it to become a classic car showroom.
Former Walter's Garden Center - This project has been approved by the Planning Board and will become a "grab and go" restaurant with pizza and Italian pastries. There will be some dine-in availability but no wait service.
The Palmer Project - The Planning Board and Advance Realty are working on a settlement agreement (which will avoid costly legal fees). As the developer went through the hearing process with the Planning Board, a number of modifications were made to improve the project. You should hear more about this project shortly.
Quimby Village - Re-energizing the Quimby development is a 2025 Council goal. Our newest Council member, Rich Traynor, is taking the lead on this project.
Train Station - We are still waiting for New Jersey Transit to replace the roof before it can be rented. We have reached out to our legislators to try and move the work along. MV Ristorante is still in line to create an upscale pizza/bar in the building.
Affordable Housing Projects - Three of the projects that make up our Round Three obligation have been approved by the Planning Board and construction should begin soon. The three sites are the Amerman parking lot on Mount Airy Road, the lot across from Borough Hall, and 63 Bernards Avenue. The senior housing that is planned for North Finley Road (also part of the Round Three obligation) has been delayed due to legal issues. By building all affordable projects, the Borough has protected itself against a builder's remedy, which would create much larger projects to meet the required affordable units. The Borough is now working on plans for its Round Four obligation of 113 units.
Do You Want to Help Make Bernardsville Better?
The Borough Council has contracted with FlashVote to conduct professionally designed scientific surveys to assist them in the decision making process. Sign up takes less than a minute and your input is always kept anonymous. Personal or demographic information collected by FlashVote is never shared with the Borough or anyone else. When you sign up, you can determine how the surveys are received - whether by email, text or phone call. You will receive a notification whenever there is a new survey, and you will have 48 hours to participate before voting closes. Once a survey is closed, everyone who participated will automatically receive a summary of the overall results and be able to see how their responses compare to the group. You just need to be a Bernardsville resident to participate. Join your friends and neighbors and sign up at https://www.flashvote.com/bernardsville and make your voice heard on important local issues!
Congratulations to Apres for receiving a Main Street BIG Grant
Main Street Bernardsville has funding grants to award to local businesses. Grants can be up to $2,000 for business improvements. Titled Business Improvement Micro-Grants, the program just awarded its first grant to the owners of Apres for the beautiful murals they've added to the storefront. Stop by and take a look!