Workshop gets to the core of redevelopment challenges.

More than 180 developers, planners, architects, engineers, attorneys, economic development officials and state leaders gathered last week at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark for Urban Core III, New Jersey's Premier Revitalization Workshop.

Co-produced by the Northern New Jersey District Council of the Urban Land Institute and Langan Engineering & Environmental Services, Inc., Urban Core focused on key challenges and practicable solutions relevant to revitalizing New Jersey cities.

"Urban Core III was a successful event because it was well-attended and it accomplished the goal of convening the state's most active professionals to address the critical issues confronting redevelopment in our state," said Richard F.X. Johnson, chair of the ULI's Northern New Jersey District Council.

"But the true determinant of success for New Jersey can only be measured in the future, as we in the development community must resolve to put into practice the great ideas raised during the workshop."

Urban Core III was kicked off by Gary Rose, chief of the Office of Economic Growth, who spoke about implementing the "2007 Economic Growth Strategy," with a specific emphasis on urban revitalization.

New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Lisa Jackson discussed brownfield redevelopment and spoke of improved processes within her department that will facilitate development plans focused on urban areas.

Caren Franzini, executive director of the New Jersey Economic Development Authority, moderated a panel of urban developers comprised of Anselm Fusco, Cherokee Northeast, Johnson of Matrix Development Group, Jeffrey Nadell of K. Hovnanian Companies, Edward Russo of Russo Development, Michael Perrucci of Perone Construction, and Arthur Stern of Cogswell Realty Group.

In a special session moderated by John Reilly of Farer Fersko, two leading litigators involved in the ongoing, high-profile eminent domain case in Long Branch, James Aaron of Ansell, Zaro, Grimm & Aaron, and Peter Wegener, of Bathgate, Wegener & Wolf, debated the issue of eminent domain as a redevelopment tool.

"Making our cities better places to live, work and play can be done--I've been part of many revitalization efforts in Camden, New Brunswick, Jersey City and Newark," said George P. Kelley, chairman of Langan, who welcomed attendees at Urban Core.

"Yet with less and less land available here in New Jersey and with regulations that sometimes hamper rather than help the cause, it's clear that we have to get better at urban redevelopment.

"That is what the Urban Core Workshop is designed to do--get the best and brightest minds together to address the issues and share best practices, which most certainly includes incorporating principles of sustainable design and smart growth."