A record-breaking crowd turned out for New Jersey Future's third annual Redevelopment Forum on February 29 at the Hyatt Hotel and Conference Center in New Brunswick. More than 600 participants attended 22 workshops on subjects ranging from soil cleanup standards to state housing policy to reviving dead malls. Click here to read articles about the Forum.
New Jersey Future Executive Director Peter Kasabach set the tone for the Forum with opening remarks focusing on the tension between preservation and growth, emphasizing that the most effective way of easing this tension is moving away from suburban sprawl and redeveloping the state's aging centers. State Environmental Protection Commissioner Lisa Jackson reinforced this message in a luncheon address, citing the need to change the state's land-use patterns by "harnessing the forces of government and the private sector for a sustainable future." Community Affairs Commissioner Joseph Doria called for a new State Development and Redevelopment Plan, which, together with third-round regulations promulgated by the Council on Affordable Housing, will create "synergy" for smart growth. Keynote speaker Jonathan F.P. Rose cast redevelopment as a mission to "repair the fabric of our communities," and stressed the importance of community vision. He said the best redevelopment planning is done by listening to what the community needs and wants.
Forum participants were enthusiastic about the speakers, the workshops and the entire day's experience. As one attendee commented, "I can tell you that Friday’s conference was probably the best run event I have ever been to. [...] for me, the content was extremely informative, and the speakers outstanding."
Peter Kasabach, Ingrid Reed,
Executive Director, NJF Chair, NJF Board of Trustees
Commissioners Lisa Jackson and Joe Doria
Keynote speaker Jonathan Rose with Peter Kasabach
Title sponsors Susanne Svizeny of Wachovia Luncheon sponsor Joe Maraziti
and Steve Weinstein of Blank Rome of Maraziti, Falcon & Healey, LLP
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Click here to view the program and 22 workshops. To see the workshops by track, please click here.
Jonathan F.P. Rose, founder of Jonathan Rose Companies LLC, was our keynote speaker. His real estate firm, a recognized leader and innovator, strives to repair the fabric of communities through environmentally responsible projects and vibrant, diverse cultural centers that balance jobs, housing for all income levels, open land and mass transit. To read his bio, please click here.
