Description
Lawrenceville Main Street Background
Concerned residents of the Lawrenceville community first met in 1995 to address the deterioration of street front properties. Their vision for a revitalized Main Street community was limited to the immediate problem of vacant storefronts. Ten years later Lawrenceville Main Street (LMS), once known as the Main Street Project, has become a major player in improving the quality of life, not only for or immediate neighborhood but also for Lawrence Township as a whole.
Significance of Lawrenceville Main Street
Lawrenceville Main Street's business development efforts have resulted in an identifiable "downtown" in a township of neighborhoods without a central focus. While the Main Street district is technically confined to several blocks fronting on Route 206, the main street concept has taken hold throughout the northern stretch of 206 identified as Lawrenceville and book ended by our "Welcome to Lawrenceville" signs. Today more than 55 businesses thrive.
Our strong partnership with the Lawrenceville School, which has provided both financial support and in-kind gifts like office space and landscaping support, has resulted in a physically attractive corridor along Route 206 as it leads to the Bristol-Myers Squibb campus. Traveling north toward Princeton, there is a definite sense of a special place as one passes through the Village of Lawrenceville.
Even more important, in creating our downtown, LMS has crafted a sense of identity that encompasses thriving businesses, historic buildings, a park and the Lawrenceville School, drawing all into a picturesque montage and a series of partnerships which mirror suburban life. Our landscape will improve even more dramatically when the Township begins a number of improvements tentatively scheduled to begin in May 07 to include, lighting, sidewalks and seating funded by the State Department of Transportation with the proceeds of a grant initiated and written by LMS. The attractiveness and vitality of the area has resulted in two New York Times special real estate sections focusing on Lawrenceville as a quality area for relocation.
As an all volunteer operation (we have only one paid staff member), LMS provides enriching volunteer opportunities for dozens of local residents. These opportunities may be ongoing like active roles in our committee structure or day of the event, like docents at our spring House Tour.
Finally, LMS spirit has fueled a number of collateral projects throughout the area. We have played an active role in the Lawrence Hopewell Trail and the Route 206 Coalition. We are considered a strong community voice by Lawrence Township in building and redevelopment issues and our success has encouraged discussion of a similar Main Street project for the local Route 1 Lawrence community. Lawrenceville Main Street has served as a funnel through which experienced volunteers and new ideas have gone on to join in community-wide initiatives such as the new Sustainable Lawrenceville.
