For more than 15 years, the Borough has been pursuing redevelopment to make the downtown a vital and sustainable place to live, work, and shop. Building upon its updated Master Plan, the Borough kicked-off an effort in 2020 to create a redevelopment plan for four tracts in downtown Highland Park. 

Following a robust public hearing, on September 14, 2021 Borough Council voted unanimously to adopt the Downtown Redevelopment Plan for Tracts A-D. The redevelopment plan was reviewed extensively by the public and the Planning Board and their feedback, as well as that of the public, was incorporated into this final version. The plan charts a path for the Borough to achieve goals such as developing outstanding public spaces, implementing better transportation and affordable housing options, and improving walkability throughout the downtown.  

On November 14, 2024, Borough Council voted to approved an ordinance to amend the Downtown Redevelopment Plan for Tracts A-D. The changes included a reorganization of the plan to make it read better and enable the Borough to make amendments more efficiently in the future as well as adjustments specific to Tract C to manage height, massing, and public benefits (public parking, public spaces). Click here for an overview of the amendments as presented to the Planning Board on November 7, 2024. 

Key documents:

• Map of Tracts A-D
• FAQ: Downtown Redevelopment Plan (3/5/21)
• Downtown Redevelopment Plan for Tracts A-D (7/13/21)
• RFP for the Acquisition and Redevelopment of Tracts A,C and D (12/10/21) 
• Addendum to RFP for the Acquisition and Redevelopment of Tracts A, C and D (3/29/22)
• Amended Downtown Redevelopment Plan for Tracts A-D (11/12/24)

Implementation Updates:

On December 10, 2021, the Borough issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) to the development community for the Acquisition and Redevelopment of Tracts A, C and D. Responses were received on May 6, 2022.

Tract A: The Borough selected Tantum Fidelco (now HP RarDen Redevelopment) as the conditional redeveloper for Tract A. Click here for more information and updates.

Tract C: The Borough selected 232 Raritan Avenue, LLC (Garden Homes) as the conditional developer for Tract C. Click here for more information and updates. 

Resources

Downtown Redevelopment Plan for Tracts A-D (2021)

Downtown Redevelopment Plan (2005)

Frequently Asked Questions

433 Cleveland Avenue Redevelopment Plan (2020)

433 Cleveland Avenue Redevelopment Agreement (2020)

31 River Road Redevelopment Plan (2018)

31 River Road Redevelopment Agreement (2019)