News Release
For Release: Immediate
Contact: Frank Baraff
 
Chestnut Street Pump Station Groundbreaking Ceremony
Monday, September 14th  10:00am.  632 Beech Street, Orange New Jersey
 
The City of Orange Township is pleased to announce the long-awaited groundbreaking for our Chestnut Street Pump Station (CSPS) on Monday, September 14th 10:00 am.

Participating in the ceremony will be Mayor Eldridge Hawkins, Jr., Congressman Donald Payne, Assemblywoman Mila Jasey, and Orange Municipal Engineer/Public Works Director Arlene Kemp.

In Orange, the water supply infrastructure was outdated and the State required the City to construct a new water treatment facility in order to allow future redevelopment projects.  Now, redevelopment projects will be able to proceed.

Statement by Mayor Eldridge Hawkins, Jr.

“This groundbreaking ends the redevelopment logjam in Orange. Although we are in a recession, the real estate bubble has burst, and bank loans have temporarily dried up, now that the pumping station issue is resolved, developers have begun to knock on our door. They’re taking a new look at Orange.

“The real estate community is beginning to understand that with our strategic location, our 20 minute train ride to mid-town Manhattan, our easy access to I-280, our inventory of attractive redevelopment sites, a skilled workforce and an administration that encourages development, Orange is a good place to invest for the future.

“This groundbreaking marks an important milestone in the redevelopment of Orange.”

Statement of Congressman Donald M. Payne:
 
“I applaud Mayor Hawkins’ work in moving this crucial water project forward and I pledge my full support of this important effort. I have worked in Congress to promote access to a stable supply of clean water for all of our communities. Today’s groundbreaking is a monumental step in ensuring continued economic development for the city of Orange through a plentiful supply of clean water.”
 
Statement of Assemblywoman Mila Jasey
(District 27 – Essex County)

Assemblywoman Mila Jasey (D-South Orange) emphasized the productive partnership that Orange has forged with the State, and what it means to the City.  “This project is critically important because it will enhance Orange’s ongoing effort to redevelop and revitalize the City”, said Jasey.  

“I have worked closely with Governor Corzine to support State initiatives to achieve this goal,” noted Jasey.  “I sponsored the Neighborhood Revitalization Tax Credit Bill and the School Construction bill, two laws which have already improved facilities and brought jobs to Orange.  The upgraded pump system is crucial to the City’s infrastructure, and it will allow developers to more stalled projects forward quickly and effectively,” concluded Jasey.  

Statement of Dennis Hart,
New Jersey Environmental Infrastructure Trust
“The Environmental Infrastructure Trust and the NJDEP is extremely happy that the reconstruction of the City of Orange Township drinking water pumping station is underway and we are proud of Mayor Hawkins for brining this project to fruition.  This upgrade of the system is not only vital to the drinking water quality but also vital for the development, the revitalization of the City.  The low cost financing of this and other projects like this is the mission of the NJ Environmental Infrastructure Trust and we look forward to working with the Mayor and the City on other important infrastructure projects. “  said Dennis Hart, Executive Director of the Trust.  “With the help of Congressman Payne and Assemblywoman Jasey the Trust and DEP will be financing over $750 Million worth of infrastructure projects.  The joint effort of fixing our aging infrastructure and spurring on economic growth and job creation is a key mission of Governor Corzine and the Board of Directors of the Trust”.

Statement by Arlene Kemp,
Director of Public Works

“This is a long anticipated project for Orange.  As part of the original water system capital improvement plan in 1988, I have waited for this construction for 21 years.  And  the timing couldn’t be better, as both a capital project to stimulate the economy and a first step into the future of Orange.”

Statement by Valerie Jackson,
Director of Planning and Economic Development

“I invite all Orange residents and businesses to join us in celebrating this important milestone in revitalizing our City.  Our new pumping station is an important step in assuring the quality of our water supply. It is also the key to enabling redevelopment to provide new housing and to attract new tax paying businesses.”

About the Chestnut Street Pump Station
The City of Orange Township water system provides drinking water to 33,000 residents and is currently in a state of disrepair.  These long awaited improvements would provide safer, more stable delivery and treatment of potable water.  The improvements would bring the Orange water system into compliance with the system redundancy requirements and adequately meet future demands. 

The Orange water system was originally constructed between 1882 and 1884 and has been updated as drinking water standards have become more stringent.  The current treatment facility, Chestnut Street Filter Plant was constructed in 1932 and is completely out dated.  One of the major issues is our current system’s inability to supply the specified peak daily capacity with a main pump failure. 

This project involves the rehabilitation of the mountain wells No.’s 2, 3 and 4 originally drilled in 1933, 1941 and 1949 respectively and first rehabilitated in 1993, 1983 and 1986 respectively, will improve their reliability by replacing the pump, providing automatic systems and appurtenant work.  Mountain well No. 6 originally drilled in 1966 and rehabilitated in 1987 will be re-drilled in a new location. 

As a side affect of the existing water system’s non-compliance, the NJDEP has stopped all development and redevelopment of 15 units or more.  This has effectively stopped much needed housing development in the City.   Currently, the City of Orange has 25% owner-occupied housing and has redevelopment plans that will move the percentage of owner occupied housing to 33% within five –years of development starting.  More housing will enable the City to increase its tax base with minimal property tax increase for existing homeowners  

The future Chestnut Street Water Treatment Facility will include 3 high service pumps.  Emergency power will also be available.  A raw water storage tank will be added to allow uninterrupted service during minor power outages.  In all, this project will enable the City to provide a safer and more stable source of drinking water for over 33,000 residents far into the future.