Proposed Mine Street construction spurs controversy

People crammed into New Brunswick City Hall on Tuesday to further air their grievances about the building of an apartment complex on Mine Street.

At the last meeting in March, the New Brunswick Planning Board announced it would hold off on construction to hear more testimony from the public, which overwhelmingly opposed the construction.

Private city-based attorney Thomas Kelso represents the construction company Construction Management Associates, LLC set to build on Mine Street. New Brunswick Today editor-in-chief Charlie Kratovil questioned whether it is ethically appropriate for Kelso to represent the construction company, citing Kelsos position as Middlesex County council as a conflict of interest.

After an agitated Kelso reacted and had to be calmed by board members, Kratovil asked the board to look into the matter, but the subject was not pressed any further.

Mine Street resident Jennifer ONeill testified that any new construction should match the architecture of already existing homes and buildings on the street.

Her father, Kevin ONeill, agreed.

Any new buildings must follow guidelines, he said. They must visually match existing infrastructure.

Kevin ONeill cited plans from the Rutgers College Avenue Redevelopment Initiative, stating the lot at 72 Mine St. provides only for the expansion and preservation of single and double family homes by prohibiting apartment buildings.

Only Rutgers has the right to build and run an apartment on the lot where 72 Mine St. is located, he said.

Elizabeth Ciccone, secretary and treasurer of the Friends of The William H. Johnson House, Inc., said her organization works to support the restoration, preservation and maintenance of the historic William H. Johnson house. She said the construction of an apartment building on Mine Street would tarnish the historic streets, buildings and sites in New Brunswick.

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Proposed Mine Street construction spurs controversy