METUCHEN, NJ – Council adopted a resolution on Monday appointing a redeveloper for the Borough’s Arts District.
New Brunswick-based DEVCO will partner with Metuchen to reopen Forum Theatre, a 96-year-old landmark in the Borough.
Click Here: new zealand warriors shirt
“Under the terms of the resolution, DEVCO will create a concept for the Borough’s consideration that aims to fully fund the construction of the Forum while also developing a sustainable revenue stream for its ongoing operation,” Mayor Jonathan M Busch said in a Facebook post.
Find out what's happening in Edison-Metuchenwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
“To achieve this, DEVCO will raise substantial funding through the new cultural arts tax incentive statute, which the Governor highlighted during his visit in April. Additionally, they will explore opportunities to improve the Halsey Street Parking Lot property, aligning with the vision set forth in our 2023 Arts District Redevelopment Plan.”
In April, Gov. Phil Murphy visited Metuchen’s Forum Theater to highlight state resources that help support the arts in New Jersey’s downtowns.
Find out what's happening in Edison-Metuchenwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Murphy was joined by Busch and Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin and other local leaders to tour the historic Forum Theatre – one of the state’s many “community treasures,” as Murphy put it.
In 2019, Metuchen received a $3.5 million grant from the Middlesex County Cultural and Arts Trust Fund for the purchase of the Forum Theatre.
The grant also aids the advancement of an arts and culture hub in Middlesex County – the Metuchen Arts District. The Forum Theatre, located on Main Street, would serve the community “as a cornerstone” of Metuchen’s downtown and of the Metuchen Arts District.
“DEVCO, a private non-profit corporation established to revitalize New Brunswick, has been instrumental in overcoming many obstacles in this project. They have catalyzed over $3 billion in public-private partnership initiatives across New Jersey and Middlesex County, including the New Brunswick Performing Arts Center, the New Brunswick Cultural District, and the cutting-edge Rutgers Cancer Institute,” Busch said.
“As part of this process, we will soon announce an opportunity for the public to engage with DEVCO and provide input for the Borough’s consideration for the Arts District.”
Have a correction or news tip? Email [email protected]
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.