Plainfield officials celebrate the groundbreaking of a 44,000 square-foot multi-use building.
PLAINFIELD - For 40 years, developers glanced over Plainfield in lieu of towns with higher incomes - and those without an infamous history of violence.
But not for J.G. Petrucci and Company and TD+ Partners. The two development companies collaborated to start a $30 million project at 662 South Second St. and broke ground at the site on Thursday during a press conference.
The project consists of two phases. The first phase is a state-of-the-art 44,000 square foot office and commercial facility for ABC Supply Company, a wholesale supplier of building products that has operated in Plainfield for 20 years, according to a statement. The second phase is a 5-story multifamily building comprised of 90 residential units.
"The intent of the program is to really attract working families - working individuals that are seeking a new ground-up construction building," said Patrick Terborg, founder and managing member of TD+Partners.
The site at South Second Street is a classic example of an obsolete site that needs to be redeveloped, said Greg Rogerson, principal of J.G. Petrucci.
The building, called The Muse at Grant Avenue Station, will come in 1, 2 and 3-bedroom configurations and start at around $1,000, Terborg said. The residential units will have stainless steel appliances, granite countertops and central air conditioning.
Terborg said the involved parties agreed to make a significant investment from the commercial side and the $30 million invested into the project will be realized over a five- to seven-year period.
"We're trying to set a standard for what good buildings should look like," Terborg said.
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Plainfield Mayor and groundbreaking attendee Adrian Mapp said the "incredible" groundbreaking brought out several cross-sections of the city's residents and pushed Plainfield's efforts to rebrand and promote itself.
"It went exceptionally well," Mapp said. "It was a very proud day in the city of Plainfield, and it brought a tremendous amount of excitement."
Mapp, a city resident of more than 30 years, said the event was one of the best days the neighborhood had "for quite some time" and bolstered the level of residents' confidence in Plainfield.
"Quite frankly, Plainfield has suffered a negative reputation that is not deserved," he said. "And I think that cloud hung over us for quite some time."
Mapp referenced the 1967 Plainfield Riots, a series of violent, racially-motivated episodes in West End, Plainfield's black district, from July 14 to 17. The riots culminated with the death of a police officer and intervention from the National Guard and New Jersey law enforcement.
Terborg said the area presented an opportunity to reimagine Plainfield's potential while taking into account the kind of community that lives here and what they desire.
"It's important to start a project from the position of respect," Terborg said.
Katie Park may be reached at kpark@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @kathspark. Find NJ.com on Facebook.