Uptown district contiues revitalization effort
Page 4 • Wednesday, January 22, 2014 • The Hammonton Gazette
UPTOWN, from Page 1
Newly-elected Hammonton first Councilman thomas Gribbin had organized a
White Horse Pike redevelopment Committee when he was previously on town council from January 1, 2010 to December 31,
2011. it was near the end of his previous
term on council, he said.
“the purpose of it was to see what in the
business community, specifically with the
Chamber of Commerce and the town of
Hammonton, what could be done to help
promote the White Horse Pike business corridor of town, and specifically work with
the property owners of the businesses on
the pike. it was to get input from residents
on what they would like to see in those
areas and what the property owners could
be to best market those properties to potential stores, restaurants and others to see if
the available space could be filled. that was
the goal of the committee,” Gribbin said.
When Gribbin wasn’t reelected at that
time the effort was halted, but since his return to one of the open council seats, he said
he would be working on revitalizing the uptown district by working with the Greater
Hammonton Chamber of Commerce and
the town’s new tourism and Business Development Committee.
“this is what i would like to do again
with the members of council. that project
started towards the end of 2011 and then i
lost reelection, so it kind of stopped after
January of 2012. that was really the goal.
How can we bring the businesses in
that the residents of the town want
to see? How can we promote those
properties? and also with the
town’s master plan that i worked on
extensively as a former planning
board member and a member of
council, how can we apply the master plan in the development of
properties and future properties on
the White Horse Pike,” Gribbin
said.
Gribbin described the expansion
of Dollar tree and the recent opening of taco Bell in the former KfC
fast food restaurant location, as exciting and an indication that these
businesses view the town as a feasible market to conduct their services.
“it shows potential business people that are looking to open places
in town that they can make it here
in Hammonton. the town will provide whatever they can or is necessary to help businesses grow and
succeed in our town. i think we
have great examples of small businesses that have continued to
weather the economic storm, but
also bringing in these new businesses, which is really a credit to
the town that even though the economy is not completely back, there
are still businesses coming to town
and see Hammonton as a viable
market for a successful business
venture.
“We need to highlight that aspect
to other potential business investors
that you can make it here in Hammonton, and the town and the residents want your business here and
it would aid in the success of all
businesses on the White Horse
Pike,” Gribbin said.
reelected Hammonton first
mayor Stephen DiDonato is a business owner in the uptown section of
town as well. DiDonato is the
owner of DiDonato family fun
Center, and he has observed increased traffic in the particular corridor of route 30 during the past 12
to 18 months.
“there is some action going on
[in uptown Hammonton]. Would
you like to see more? Sure, but i am
very encouraged about the progress
made. We have been very satisfied
with our traffic [in regards to DiDonato family fun Center] and the response so far. We see more and
more traffic every day. When the
economy was really bad, the traffic
count was down. it appears to be
that there is more action with vehicles moving around. People appear
to be moving around and spending more
money,” DiDonato said.
Jennifer Jones, the owner of from
Scratch Pastry Boutique, has her business
located on 1 Sindoni Lane on the N. White
Horse Pike. Jones believes the complex
contains nicely put-together stores, and further development should take place.
“it [Sindoni Lane Plaza] should be a
place that is remembered, and people
should visit it more often. i think there
should be more development, and more
stores should be welcomed here,” Jones
said.
Greater Hammonton Chamber of Commerce President and an accountant based in
the uptown section of town, Kelly raso,
likes the progress that has been made on
route 30, but wants to see the remaining
vacancies filled.
“that is very encouraging with the taco
Bell opening. i would like to see the remaining space, especially the old Super
fresh be occupied. a large store in there
would be nice. i would like to see us attract
more businesses that cater to the local community, and attract