For decades, the Gulton Tract in Metuchen was defined by abandoned warehouses, contaminated industrial land, and limited public access to one of the community’s greatest natural assets. Today, that long-blighted brownfield is being transformed into The Kempson, a new residential neighborhood anchored by Metuchen’s largest open park space and a new public gateway to the Peter J. Barnes III Wildlife Preserve.

The redevelopment builds on the Borough’s long-term efforts to move beyond its industrial past while creating new opportunities for housing, recreation, and environmental restoration. The Kempson includes 272 multifamily homes, including 41 affordable units, with a range of studios, one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments. Live-work units along Durham Avenue will also provide flexibility for residents who want to use their homes as businesses or creative spaces. By introducing housing diversity into an area dominated by single-family homes, the project expands housing choice while integrating new residents into an established neighborhood.

Perhaps the project’s most significant transformation lies in how it extends beyond the building itself. A substantial portion of the former industrial property will become part of a future County park, including a 32-acre section of the Peter J. Barnes III Wildlife Preserve. Walking paths, open spaces, potential boardwalks, and a footbridge over the Dismal Brook will create new opportunities for passive recreation while connecting the park to the future Middlesex Greenway extension.

The environmental transformation has been equally significant. The property owner invested approximately $10 million in cleanup, removing illegally dumped debris, replacing contaminated soil, restoring and stabilizing the Dismal Brook, and planting 3,000 native trees and shrubs. The redevelopment also reduces impervious and motor vehicle surfaces by approximately 2 acres, while incorporating flood storage, landscaping, a pollinator garden, and other measures that improve stormwater management and climate resilience.

Community engagement was central to shaping the project. Through Metuchen’s Greenprint Initiative, residents helped identify priorities for parks, trails, and open space. A 2022 community open house brought residents together with the Borough, redeveloper, and project professionals to discuss environmental cleanup, the future park, and infrastructure improvements.

The redevelopment represents a true public-private partnership between 212 Durham Urban Renewal, LLC, the Borough of Metuchen, and Middlesex County. Together, these groups transformed a contaminated industrial site from a barrier into a community asset, while creating new housing, public open space, and connections to the surrounding neighborhood.

New Jersey Future is happy to recognize The Kempson as a 2026 Smart Growth Award winner. This project demonstrates how brownfield redevelopment can do more than clean up contaminated land. By combining housing, environmental restoration, public recreation, and community priorities, The Kempson creates a healthier, more resilient, and more connected Metuchen.