What Do You Imagine for the Berkeley Heights Business District?

Imagine Berkeley Heights with cafe tables and brick side walks, filled with overflowing pots of colorful flowers in warm weather months and evergreens with little white lights during the winter months.

Imagine enjoying a stroll from one shop to another without having to get in and out of your car and meandering about town to enjoy dining, arts and entertainment events on lovely pathways, lit by old fashioned lanterns. 

Lately there has been a lot of buzz around the possibilities that lie ahead for the Berkeley Heights business district. 

Jeanne Kingsley, a Berkeley Heights Township Council Member, told Patch this week that she is currently drafting an ordinance to formally establish a committee that will explore the future design of downtown Berkeley Heights.

Mayor Joseph Bruno said exploring new options for the Berkeley Heights business district will be a priority going forward.

"It is the next topic on the agenda after we tackle the budget. We are factfinding now and getting the required information in order to make a presentation to the business owners, landlords and the Chamber of Commerce," Bruno said.

Kingsley said she hopes that the committee can begin its work sometime in April.

Earlier this year, Kingsley outlined her vision for the downtown area. 

"The area we are talking about would begin at Snyder Park and extend across town to the train station. And it would be great if there were walking paths, cute little shops and a few more food establishments," Kingsley said.

She said it would be great to attract residents to the business district with special events. 

"We already have 'Movie Day,' but we could also have 'Restaurant Day' which could give people an opportunity to try samples from a number of different restaurants," she said.

Bruno believes businesses should be excited about moving into the area and residents should enjoy shopping in town. 

He said the town has a lot to be proud of and offers tremendous opportunity.

"Berkeley Heights has the distinction of being the seventh most desirable town in the state, according to New Jersey Monthly Magazine, and the 45th most desirable town in the country," he said.