East Orange Mayor Ted R. Green To Break Ground on an Innovative 8.3 Acre Neighborhood Renewal Project Featuring an Urban Farm and Education Center, a New ABC Supply Company Facility, and Workforce Housing
East Orange, NJ, March 26, 2018: On Tuesday April 3, 2018 at 1:00 p.m., Mayor Ted R. Green and the East Orange City Council along with developers, J.G. Petrucci Company, Inc. and TD+Partners, will break ground on the Sussex Avenue Urban Renewal. This pioneering redevelopment will transform an underserved neighborhood by remediating an 8.3 acre brownfield site located at 11 Sussex Avenue, East Orange, NJ. This innovative economic development project will house a brand new location for ABC Supply Co., Inc.; H2Grow a hydroponic urban farm and education center; high quality workforce housing; and a 30,000 sf commercial hub. It will also provide over 200 construction jobs, and upon completion, it will provide several permanent jobs for East Orange residents.
“This project is very personal to me because it represents a major turning point for a neglected part of our city that I once called home. Arcadian Gardens is where I was raised. It was more than a community – we were like family,” said Mayor Ted R. Green, who grew up on Steuben Street and Sussex Avenue, the location where he announced his candidacy for mayor. “Now, we are excited to bring this innovative project that will provide permanent jobs for people in East Orange and make Sussex Avenue a home again for over 80 families.”
“We strongly believe that these types of creative and community-focused public private partnerships are the key to revitalizing our urban centers, and we are grateful to Mayor Ted R. Green for his leadership,” stated Greg Rogerson, Principal of J.G. Petrucci Company, Inc. “This is our second collaboration with ABC Supply Company, and we are excited to facilitate their expansion in the New Jersey market, and in particular, urban communities. ABC Supply Company shares TD+Partners’ and our commitment to transformative urban redevelopment, and we believe that this project represents a model for disadvantaged neighborhoods in cities."
“We are proud to partner with the City of East Orange and to support Mayor Green’s efforts to revitalize areas in need. Our goal is to build projects that transform economically disadvantaged neighborhoods by creating meaningful employment opportunities, providing high-quality housing, and delivering needed services. This project exemplifies our vision for innovative urban redevelopment that empowers and creates value for residents of underserved communities,” said Patrick Terborg, co-developer and co-founder of TD+Partners.
The Sussex Avenue Urban Renewal will meet critical needs in the East Orange community and Essex County. The 2,500 sf urban farm and education center, operated by H2Grow, will produce 4,000 pounds of food a year, which will directly address food insecurity affecting approximately 20% of the residents in Essex County. It will also offer training, internships, and certificate programs that will teach community members how to work with various agricultural systems and prepare them for potential employment or entrepreneurship opportunities. The 30,000 sf state-of-the-art warehouse distribution center for ABC Supply Company will allow the company to expand its operations and generate increased economic activity within the city. The workforce residences will meet the demand for new high-quality housing and include over 80 units.
H2Grow is a community agricultural center whose purpose is to address the issue of food insecurity by making organic non-GMO foods accessible regardless of socioeconomic standing. The organization, led by Lyani Powers and Malene Younglao, also focuses on providing access to agricultural/horticultural education in the hope of training and establishing new generations of urban farmers. ABC Supply Company is a major national wholesale supplier of building and construction products and this new location represents their ongoing expansion in New Jersey and commitment to growing their business in the City of East Orange. The Sussex Avenue Urban Renewal was conceptualized and is being co-developed by J.G. Petrucci Company and TD+Partners.
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