NEWTON, NJ: The Newton Council team of Sandra Lee Diglio, Matthew Dickinson, and former Councilmember Helen Le Frois have been at the vanguard of reviving and transforming vacant buildings and land into trendy, updated shopping centers, and mixed-use spaces. The goal of their efforts is to offer residents, businesses, and visitors alike a more attractive, walkable, and vibrant business district as well as thriving commercial ratables on area highways.

Councilmembers and the Town Manager are progressing smart growth projects while identifying new opportunities supporting the Town’s open-ended vision of balancing economic growth and the preservation of local natural resources and residential areas.

Many underutilized, vacant properties have been identified, and town officials have embarked on a comprehensive outreach initiative, forging partnerships to restore abandoned buildings and adjacent properties into multipurpose living, leisure, and shopping districts in the hopes of attracting more locals, new residents and businesses, and out-of-town visitors.

Newton will soon launch a Private-Public Partnership (P3) to revitalize adjacent land around the old McGuire’s Chevrolet, currently owned by the Sussex County Community College for its culinary, automotive, and welding academic curriculums. The front of this locale is slated to operate as a student-run restaurant. The Town and Parking Authority are currently considering and reviewing proposals to effectively redevelop this and adjacent properties to support and enhance the college-owned parcel.

Mixed-use development advances on the former G&H lot at Water Street and South Park Drive to include luxury housing units and popular franchises like Starbuck’s, Panera Bread, and Chipotle to spark suburban connectivity and greater tourism. Starbuck’s opened this week to a warm welcome and hundreds of likes and positive comments on social media.

Active talks continue between the Town and State of New Jersey regarding the ownership and revitalization of the Armory property located behind the ShopRite center on Route 206. Town officials are simultaneously collaborating with the family-owned ShopRite grocery business to expand, upgrade, and modernize the supermarket facility which has been a mainstay for local residents’ lives over the past 50 years. Added complimentary retail services are also planned for this property.

Hicks and Paterson Avenues will be active redevelopment projects to encompass a variety of development options in partnership with the newly designated redeveloper.

These redevelopment projects bring new businesses, increased ratables, new jobs, and expanded investment opportunities to Newton.

ABOUT NEWTON FIRST: Sandra Lee Diglio, Matthew Dickson and Helen Le Frois are running on the “Newton First” team for Newton Town Council. The “Newton First” slate offers residents community-focused professionals with more than 50 years’ experience in various volunteer, professional and municipal positions. Diglio, Dickson and Le Frois are the most accomplished leaders in planning, management and decision-making to ensure continued results that will improve the quality-of-life in Newton.

Residents can follow the “Newton First” team on:
Website //newtonfirst2022.wixsite.com/my-site
Facebook @Diglio Dickson & LeFrois for Newton Town Council
Instagram @diglio_dickson_and_lefrois
Email: newtonfirst2022@gmail.com