Downtown Millburn Waiting on Riverwalk Approval

Downtown Millburn officials are waiting for the final approval and agreement from the state Department of Transportation for the riverwalk project.

Harold Klein, Downtown Millburn executive director, said they cannot move forward with any work on the project until state approves the plans and the federal grant dollars. They're hopeful a decision could come in the next week based on conversations with state officials. Klein said he is "cautiously optimistic."

But the decision could make the construction schedule very tight, Klein said. The hope is to construction the enhanced path from Main and Essex streets to the Paper Mill Playhouse could be done while the theater is dark in August. But officials cannot advertise for bids or do any other work until state approvals are granted. "It could be close," Klein said.

The Township Committee is working through all of the approvals necessary for the project. It approved a first reading of the ordinance to fund $600,000 for the project at a meeting in March. A second reading, public hearing and final approval has yet to happen, but could in May. The funding is to be paid back by Downtown Millburn with federal grant dollars, and the committee approved the repayment agreement last week.

The proposed riverwalk wouldn't actually be along the river in downtown. Instead it would be an enhanced sidewalk following Main Street and Brookside Drive between Essex Street and the Paper Mill Playhouse. It would include benches, lighting and special pavers, which could be engraved to honor the Paper Mill's stars.