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Written by David Turner
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Thursday, 05 April 2007 |
Urban Regeneration Beverly, NJ USA The historic town of Beverly sits on the south bank of the Delaware River. The town has seen better days and has become increasingly run down, with virtually no employers based in the town and little by way of retail or food outlets. It does have good access to Route 130 and the major investment of the Riverline light rail has greatly increased connectivity to both Trenton and Camden, and thence Philadelphia and NYC. American Water owns two lots, in total 4 acres, on the waterfront including the historic site of Dunks Ferry, where George Washington transferred his troops during the War of Independence. The town also owns some 4 acres of land at the waterfront. The existing town center is a five way crossroads midway between the Riverline station and the waterfront. The proposals produced by 9 Yards in conjunction with McKernan Architects envisages the creation of a mixed use development at the waterfront incorporating condominiums with river views, retail, food outlets and potentially a new city hall. The plan is to incrementally connect the Riverline station, with improved facilities, to the new Civic space on the waterfront, renovating residential buildings of merit and redeveloping other lots. In time is anticipated that the existing center will regenerate to create a vibrant axis of commercial and residential uses that can lift the whole viability of the town. |
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