Client: New Jersey Transportation Planning Authority (NJTPA)

Downtown Raritan Vision Plan

Raritan Vision Plan

Phillips Preiss was part of a project team led by FHI Studio that was selected by the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority (NJTPA) to prepare a sustainable economic development plan for the Borough of Raritan, New Jersey as part of NJTPA’s Planning for Emerging Centers Program. Conveniently located in Somerset County’s core in central New Jersey, the Borough sought to create a plan that would allow them to maintain and expand existing downtown employment and economic activity, while retaining their historic, small-town character and capitalizing on their highly connected street network and potential waterfront connections to the Raritan River. Phillips Preiss’s primary role was to evaluate economic and market conditions within and around the Borough in order to provide insights and recommendations that would advance the goals of the plan, which presented a community-driven 10-year economic, land use and multi-modal vision for the Borough with a focus on supporting both existing and new residents and businesses. The Raritan Sustainable Economic Development Plan was honored with a 2021 Excellence in Planning Award by the Somerset County Planning Board.

Phillips Preiss has provided planning services including fiscal and community impact analyses to Rockefeller Group with regard to its master planned redevelopment of a 268-acre former Exxon-Mobil corporate campus site in Florham Park known as The Green at Florham Park. The development is now home to the BASF North American Headquarters, Summit Medical Group, and The New York JETS . The Green at Florham Park is also the future home of AVE Florham Park, which provides 256 corporate suites, The Archer Hotel, a sophisticated 161-key boutique hotel, Summit Medical Group / MD Anderson Cancer Center, providing world class cancer care, and a residential community. 

Client: Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation (RIOC), New York, NY

Overview

RIOC retained Phillips Preiss to conduct a retail market analysis and planning study to help Main Street realize its potential as the true town center of Roosevelt Island. The report revealed significant potential for more retail on Main Street and recommended a series of policy and urban design interventions to revitalize the commercial district.

Results

Within one year of the completion of the study, RIOC moved forward with a central recommendation of the report by soliciting proposals for a master leaseholder for the Main Street retail spaces.

Client: City of Elizabeth, New Jersey

Overview

Phillips Preiss was retained by the City of Elizabeth to create a corridor revitalization plan for a key commercial corridor by leveraging two engines of the local economy: 1) the growing Colombian retail district clustered near the Elizabeth Train Station; and 2) Kean University, an expanding public university in Union Township. The resulting plan provided strategies to tap into “town/gown” synergies between Kean University and “Little Colombia,” encourage transit-oriented redevelopment, strengthen the commercial environment and improve the public realm.

Client: Asbury Partners LLC / iStar Financial

Overview

Phillips Preiss is providing ongoing planning services to Asbury Partners LLC, the designated Master Developer of a 50-acre redevelopment area on the waterfront within the City of Asbury Park, NJ. The firm’s work has included drafting a comprehensive amendment to the Waterfront Redevelopment Plan in coordination with the City, preparing economic and fiscal impact analyses, and providing expert testimony in condemnation matters.

Results

Asbury Partners LLC’s VIVE townhome development is under construction. The amended Waterfront Redevelopment Plan was adopted by the City of Asbury Park.