RIVER LINE MAY BENEFIT HUDSON RAIL TUNNEL FUNDING
New Jersey is hoping that the money it spent on the $1 billion River Line between Trenton and Camden can pay a dividend in added federal funding for construction of the Hudson River Tunnel project. Language inserted in last year’s $286 billion federal transportation bill by then U.S. Senator (now Governor) Jon Corzine is the key.

The language could require Washington to consider the cash spent by New Jersey on the River Line in negotiating the state’s contribution to the tunnel project. The federal government could consider its share as a sort of in-kind contribution to the tunnel.

According to Heather Howard, Corzine’s policy counsel, the question is whether the Federal Transit Administration will eventually give New Jersey full credit for the money it spent on the River Line. Howard was Corzine’s chief of staff in Washington when the strategy was developed by Senators Corzine and Lautenberg and NJ Transit Executive Director George Warrington.

BEACHEM ADDRESSES OPENING OF BUILDING & CONSTRUCTION TRADES COUNCIL CONVENTION
New Jersey Alliance for Action President Philip K. Beachem was invited to address the New Jersey State Building and Construction Trades Council on the opening session of the Council’s 102nd annual convention in Atlantic City.

After Governor Corzine reaffirmed his priority to grow the state’s economy and the importance of transportation, Beachem spoke to the audience of some 500 attendees. Beachem declared that the most effective way to move the economy forward is through the state’s construction industry. He also thanked the council for its support and partnership on key issues throughout the 31-year history of the Alliance for Action.

NATIONAL LEAD SITE APPROVED FOR HOUSING CONSTRUCTION
Housing construction would be allowed on the National Lead brownfields site under an amendment to the waterfront redevelopment plan approved by the Sayreville Planning Board. Maximum density of five units per acre was approved for the 400-plus acre site where housing previously was not permitted. The Borough Council still must sign off on the amendment.

LNR Northeast Investment was named “conditional developer” of the site in March by the Sayreville Economic Redevelopment Agency. A formal redeveloper’s agreement still needs to be struck. LNR’s $1.5 billion vision for the property- which is bisected by the Garden State Parkway and Routes 9 and 35- includes 2,000 housing units, hotels, office and retail space, marinas, a canal and basin, promenade and athletic complex.

LNR and NL Industries are negotiating over control of the environmental cleanup of the former industrial site.

NEW SHOPPING PLAZA PLANNED FOR OAK TREE SECTION OF WOODBRIDGE
A shopping center will be developed along the Oak Tree Road section of Iselin in Woodbridge. Known as Kumar Soni Plaza, the plaza will house retail space, a restaurant and offices, according to the builder, Soni Realty Company of New York.

Soni said it is aware of traffic concerns by residents of the area and reported that it has hired a consulting company to work on the project. A resolution approving the project was adopted by the Woodbridge Planning Board last September and Soni said it is awaiting approval by the Middlesex County Planning Board.

NEW JERSEY JOBS GROWTH EXPECTED TO BE MODEST
New Jersey can expect modest growth in employment through 2010, but its jobless rate will be higher than the national average through the end of the decade, according to a forecast by the Rutgers Economic Advisory Service. New Jersey is expected to add 44,000 nonfarm jobs in 2006, about the same as the 1.1 percent increase last year. The figure should average 0.9 percent from 2006 to 2010.

Service Director Nancy H. Mantell said most job growth in New Jersey will be in low-wage industries such as education, health, leisure and hospitality.

PROCESS ANNOUNCED FOR GOVERNOR’S ENVIRONMENTAL EXCELLENCE AWARDS
The application process for the 2006 Governor’s Environmental Excellence Awards has been announced. Applications and information about the awards program can be found on the website for the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection at www.nj.gov/dep/eeawards

The deadline for submitting applications is September 22, 2006. Award winners will be invited to a ceremony, press event and reception hosted by Governor Corzine in the fall.

TEXAS COUNTY REJECTED SALE OF TOLL ROAD SYSTEM
News from Texas is of particular interest to New Jersey after the recent battles over the state budget and renewal of the State Transportation Trust Fund. The Harris County Commissioners Court voted unanimously to continue running the county’s lucrative toll road system rather than selling or leasing it to a private firm.

By their action, the commissioners rejected a windfall estimated as much as $20 billion by continuing to let the 83-mile system be operated by the Harris County Toll Road Authority.

BUYING AND SELLING
Cordis, a Johnson & Johnson subsidiary, has acquired privately owned Ensure Medical of Sunnyside, California, a maker of catheterization and artery devices, for $52 million.

Campbell Soup in Camden agreed to sell its British and Irish operations to Premier Foods in St. Albans, Hertforedshire, England, for $845 million in cash.

PEOPLE ON THE MOVE
Deborah Wathen Finn has joined CH2M HILL as Director of Transit and Rail for the firm’s transportation business group. She will be based in the firm’s recently opened office in Manhattan.

ALLIANCE IN ACTION
MAYOR CORY BOOKER ATTRACTING A LARGE ADVANCE REGISTRATION
This Friday, July 28, 2006, 9:00 am, newly elected Mayor Cory Booker will present his Agenda for Newark’s Future at the annual meeting of Essex County Alliance for Action. To secure your seat at this popular event, go Here

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