Rahway moves ahead with East Cherry Street Park, part of a downtown push to add public spaces over apartments
The city approved a contract with USA Architects to design the pocket park, which Mayor Giacobbe says will be funded largely through a federal grant.
The East Cherry Street site in downtown Rahway, shown during its summer activation period. The city approved a construction contract in June 2026 for permanent park improvements, with work expected to begin this fall. (The Central Jerseyan)
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Chris Howell | June 13, 2026
Rahway’s effort to beautify downtown with more parks and public spaces took its latest step forward this week when the City Council approved a construction contract for East Cherry Street Park.
The city hired USA Architects, Planners, and Interior Designers, Ltd., to complete the design and serve as the construction administrator for the project. Construction is expected to begin this fall. The contract amount was not disclosed in public meeting documents.
Mayor Raymond Giacobbe said at an NAACP event last month that the project is being funded through a federal grant with minimal city contribution. The city has not confirmed whether the grant was awarded or is pending.
The East Cherry Street site has already been updated as a temporary area for programs while permanent improvements are being designed. The city is hosting World Cup watch parties and live music there before construction begins.
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A banner at the planned East Cherry Street Park location shows what the city hopes the park will look like when construction is finished. (The Central Jerseyan)
Giacobbe has been direct about the vision behind the project. “We’re creating East Cherry Street Park on a site once slated for more apartments. That wasn’t our vision,” he said in a statement released Thursday. “Our vision is a truly accessible park that welcomes everyone and supports our downtown.”
The park is one of several public space investments the city is pursuing downtown. The Paseo, an existing pedestrian gathering space on Main Street, is also undergoing improvements.
The broader push also includes the James “Jim” Kennedy Amphitheater, the centerpiece of Giacobbe’s redevelopment plan, as detailed in his State of the City. The city took its first formal steps in May toward acquiring the Hamilton Street properties needed for the project. Giacobbe has said Union County is expected to cover the full acquisition cost and half of the construction costs, with the city contributing roughly $5 million overall.
The idea of transforming East Cherry Street into a public gathering space has been discussed for years. The city was already pursuing state Green Acres funding for the project in 2021, with Landolfi reportedly describing plans at the time as “relatively tentative.” The current push moves those plans from concept to construction.
Editor’s note: The Central Jerseyan is free to read and supported by advertising. If you value this kind of local reporting and want to help sustain it, you can become a citizen supporter on Patreon. Your contribution helps fund continued coverage of local government, schools, and community issues.