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City Initiates New Property Maintenance Campaign
EAST ORANGE…In an effort to encourage city property owners to beautify the City’s main shopping corridors, City Zoning Officer/Ombudsman Troy Webster embarked on a community-based campaign which will enhance City streets and invite economic growth.
The initiative, known as “Lend Me a Window,” utilizes student art work to cover the windows and facades of unoccupied commercial buildings. As a model for the project, RPM Management, currently one of the City’s largest mixed-use developers, agreed to volunteer 2 spaces currently vacant in the development on M.L.K. Boulevard.
Local artist and Campus High School graduate of 2008 Malcolm Rolling volunteered his talents by designing winter-holiday themed coverings for the vacant spaces. Malcolm, who was also a student athlete who wrestled and played football, is currently studying graphic arts design at Elizabeth City State College in North Carolina. His work is on display and can be viewed on the Prospect Street side of the development.
East Orange Mayor Robert L. Bowser stated that, “This program has multiple benefits, not only does it provide business owners assistance beautifying their property, but it also offers our young talented students an opportunity to showcase their works.” Mr. Webster intends on recruiting additional art students from the Cicely L. Tyson School Community School of Fine and Performing Arts, as well as other schools in the City to fill spaces in buildings along Central Avenue and M.L.K. Boulevard. Mr. Webster stated that he will approach other property owners with unoccupied commercial space to participate in this program. “This initiative will continue to reinforce the City’s efforts to make commercial property owners more responsible for having even unoccupied space more visually pleasing and foster a partnership in making the City more appealing and attractive.” said Mr. Webster. “If potential business see how we work together with business owners and utilize our local talent by cultivate their gifts and let them know how much faith we have in their contributions to our City, it will definitely invite more economic growth and the types of businesses East Orange residents deserve.” Although this is a pilot program, Mr. Webster’s plans are to develop a schedule for replacing displays throughout the year. “We are certainly glad we have the support and cooperation of our business owners. They realize the larger picture, if the City looks good, we all benefit,” Mr. Webster stated.
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