Jeff Milanaik, Principal with Bridge Development Partners who spearheaded the trucking and shipping of the relief to Puerto Rico
*Photo by Katherine Massopust

Flashback to the 2012 Perth Amboy Mayoral Debate. An area that was always discussed for redevelopment was the corner of Convery Boulevard and Smith Street in Perth Amboy which was the old Celotex Property. At the time, it was tug of war between the Board of Education and the Redevelopment Agency as to whether there should be a new high school there or a mixed-use housing building to bring in more ratables. The area of Perth Amboy that laid very heavily on my mind was outer State Street which was heavily blighted with decrepit buildings. It was embarrassing when a person would cross over the bridge linking Sewaren and Perth Amboy see that area in such despair.

One of the questions asked to the candidates at that 2012 debate was: “What would you do to improve that area (Outer State Street)? I really can’t remember anyone addressing that question thoroughly; many of the candidates pivoted right over to the Celotex Property.

Today, this has changed and it is outer State Street that has gotten a revival along with outer High Street.

This brings me to this point. On October 13, 2017, we attended a press conference held at the new Target Facility on High Street. Target, along with BridgePort, have partnered up with the City of Perth Amboy in the relief effort to help the people in Puerto Rico. It’s ironic that this year all the destructive natural disasters have occurred. These two corporations completed their facilities when it was most needed. It was as if it was fate.

At several Council Meetings, Residents and others have come forward to complain rightfully how some developers have harmed the City. In my opinion, the Residents can rest assured that Target and BridgePort are here to have a positive impact in the community. This is demonstrated when they didn’t hesitate to help in whatever capacity they could: to store and ship the supplies collected by the community of Perth Amboy.

So many organizations, community groups including some from neighboring towns came together to make this drive a success. There are too many to mention. The Perth Amboy Police will have a contingent of 5 Officers to go over to Puerto Rico this week and the following week 6 more will go. Unfortunately several Firefighters requested to go, but because of the natural disasters going on in other parts of the country, they could not be spared. It was a heartbreak for those firefighters as they have family members in Puerto Rico. Some have not heard from their relatives since the hurricane hit.

I personally want to thank BridgePort and Target for coming into Perth Amboy. Think about this: Celotex was the focus for redevelopment and outer State Street was being ignored in 2012. Ironically, it was outer State Street that flourished first.

There was a reason. As we have said in the past, the worst disasters bring out the best in humanity.

To quote John ‘Hannibal’ Smith from the A-Team: “I love it when a plan comes together.” C.M.