Listen to this articleA lot of the seeds planted in Middlesex County over the last few years are now coming up, highlighting the strong momentum officials and stakeholders have been building.
In 2022, Middlesex County rolled out its Community, Innovation, and Opportunity Strategic Investment Plan, an initiative that aims to transform Edison-based Middlesex College into a hub for workforce development, recreation, arts and community engagement. Four of those projects are underway currently, including the Destination Athletic Complex at Thomas A. Edison Park (which includes 14 multi-sport synthetic fields, 16 tennis courts and a state-of-the-art recreational cricket field); the Middlesex County Innovation Magnet School; the Multipurpose Community Venue (which will serve as a home field of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights baseball team); and the Middlesex College Student Center.
Over the summer, officials held an event to mark the progress – and signed a ceremonial steel beam.
Stakeholders say that the projects represent a bold investment in the county’s future that will position Middlesex College and the surrounding area as a regional hub for education, economic opportunity and community life.
“This is more than steel and concrete – it’s about building a future where education, innovation and community come together in one place,” said Middlesex County Commissioner Director Ronald Rios in August, noting that at that point over 100,000 hours of 100% union labor had already been invested. “We’re not just building infrastructure – we’re creating opportunity, access and pride for every resident of Middlesex County.”
“These transformational projects are the result of collaboration between county government, Middlesex College, Middlesex County Magnet Schools, the Building and Construction Trades Council, Rutgers University, our partners at the state and federal levels, and many more,” said Middlesex County Commissioner Chanelle Scott McCullum, chair of the Economic Development Committee. “Together, we’re delivering on a bold promise to build a stronger, smarter, and more inclusive future for everyone who calls Middlesex County home.”
Creating opportunities
Future phases of the CIO Strategic Investment Plan will include a workforce development and conference center, community park and enhancements to existing outdoor spaces.
“It is exciting to see Middlesex County continue to create opportunities for our residents through expanded education, innovation and recreation,” said U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone, D-6th District. “It is this forward thinking that makes Middlesex the destination hub to live, work, and play it has come to be known for.”
Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin, D-19th District, noted in August that watching everything take shape – he cannot help but feel excited about what it will mean for the community. “From the state-of-the-art new high school to the vibrant new venues for athletics, culture and student life, we’re preparing young people for the jobs and opportunities that will build shape the future and creating a space where families, neighbors, and students can come together and build lasting connections for generations to come,” said Coughlin.
A place for patients
Activity is also picking up over in New Brunswick. The Jack & Sheryl Morris Cancer Center cut the ribbon and opened earlier this year – providing a state-of-the-art, comfortable treatment facility for patients and their families. The center, New Jersey’s first freestanding cancer hospital, is operated through a partnership between RWJBarnabas Health and Rutgers Cancer Institute.
“Cancer doesn’t travel well,” said Chris Paladino, president of New Brunswick Development Corp., in May. DEVCO developed the Morris Center in partnership with Middlesex County and the City of New Brunswick. “Frankly, many people in New Jersey don’t even have that choice. The Jack & Sheryl Morris Cancer Center will make New Jersey not only stronger – but is certainly providing access to cancer care, which is fairer and more equitable.”
“Born out of a shared love for our neighbors battling cancer,” Gov. Phil Murphy said in May. “We worked closely with our legislative partners – and I want to thank them – to provide more than $100 million in federal funds for this project. And we could not have asked for better partners than our leaders here in Middlesex County and at RWJBarnabas Health. Their commitment to this project has been crucial to getting it across the finish line.”
HELIX NJ rapidly taking shape
Also rapidly taking shape nearby in New Brunswick is the HELIX NJ, an innovation hub that will bring together industry, academia and other key stakeholders. H-1 is well underway, which will be home to the New Jersey Innovation HUB, Rutgers Translational Research, the Rutgers School of Medicine, and plug and play lab space for industry.
Over the summer, work began on H-2 (directly across from H-1), which will house Nokia Bell Labs as it relocates from its iconic Murray Hill campus. And H-3, a 42-story mixed-use facility, is not far behind. The HELIX NJ Innovation District is master planned by DEVCO.
While work began in July on H-2, the official groundbreaking too place in September.
“The start of construction on the new Nokia Bell Labs Headquarters at HELIX NJ marks a defining moment in New Brunswick’s ongoing evolution as a premier hub for research, innovation, and economic vitality,” said New Brunswick Mayor Jim Cahill in July. “This development reflects our city’s strong partnerships with industry leaders like Nokia, SJP Properties [developer of H-2], and DEVCO, and underscores our commitment to fostering opportunities that create jobs, attract world-class talent, and enhance the quality of life for all who live, work, and study here.”
“Creating, with our partners, commercial destinations of global significance that bring thousands of professionals together in the most accessible and desirable of municipalities enables local economies to thrive and reinforces New Jersey’s worldwide reputation for scientific discovery,” said Steven Pozycki, founder and CEO, SJP Properties in July. “We are confident with Nokia Bell Labs at its center, HELIX NJ will emerge as the dominant east coast research and development district.”
“The pace of activity of the HELIX is impressive,” said Paladino at the groundbreaking. “H-1 is nearing completion. Piles are being driven and foundations laid from H-2 … and expect shortly, an invitation to the groundbreaking of H-3 early next year right on this site.”
Getting even busier
Just days later, Middlesex County and NJ Transit announced the start of the construction phase of the long-awaited, nearly $70 million revitalization of the historic New Brunswick Train Station. The project is out for bid – and expected to commence later this fall. Officials project the multi-phase construction process will be complete in 2028. They said the improvements – including a new ticketing center, renovations to the station building and platforms, and more – are necessary to prepare Middlesex County and New Brunswick for the influx of commuters expected from these projects.
The roundup
Significant developments in economic development from around the state:
“This historic station is already a major transit point on New Jersey Transit’s busiest rail line,” said Rios. “And with the recent opening of the Jack & Sheryl Morris Cancer Center, Nokia’s H-2 building at HELIX New Jersey that just broke ground, Rutgers University, and New Brunswick’s well-deserved reputation as the ‘Hub City,’ – it’s about to get even busier.”
“It will be the backbone, not just of the New Brunswick transit reality – but of Middlesex County, of Central Jersey, and beyond,” said Murphy, describing the project as “transformational.”
“I predict that once all the development that is happening around the train station is done, this will be one of the busiest train stations on the Northeast Corridor,” said NJ Transit President and CEO Kris Kolluri. “In order to do that, you got to make sure you have the infrastructure to be able to accommodate that.”
“As the HELIX brings thousands of innovators to our state-of-the-art hub at the heart of Rutgers’ campus, we will meet this influx of workers with safe, modern and reliable transportation,” said Murphy.
“This train station is more than just a transit hub,” said Rutgers-New Brunswick Chancellor Francine Conway. It is the front door to Rutgers – the first to welcome our students, our faculty, our staff and visitors to this vibrant campus. These improvements ensure that the station remains a vital gateway to education, to research, and to jobs.”
NJ Transit has partnered with Rutgers on an agreement that makes the institution the official sponsor of the historic train station.
“The improvements we’re making to the New Brunswick station will prepare us for the future,” said Rios. “We are building a strong, sustainable, and resilient economy with the next generation in mind, while cultivating a mass transit culture in this region.”
The Middlesex County Improvement Authority is overseeing the renovation on behalf of the county and NJ Transit – and also serves a project manager for the North Brunswick Train Station, another major project underway that will bring a new train stop to the county along the Northeast Corridor.
“As Middlesex County continues to grow into a premier destination, we must ensure that we have the right transportation infrastructure in place,” said MCIA Executive Director James Polos. “As we being the construction process, the real winners in this project are the commuters, residents, business owners, and visitors of Middlesex County.”
