Looking Ahead For Middlesex County In 2021: What To Expect

MIDDLESEX COUNTY, NJ — Let's put 2020 to bed, and take a fresh look at what to expect in Middlesex County in 2021:

1. Coronavirus vaccinations

Expect a gradual return to normal in the new year as vaccinations take off in full force. By early January, Middlesex County promises the Convention and Expo Center in Edison will be open and fully operational as one of six vaccine "mega sites" in the state.

Vaccines are starting with people in group 1a, a list bigger than you think, including not just doctors, nurses and EMTs, but also front-desk staff at doctor and dentist offices, home health aides and even funeral workers. You can also soon get a COVID vaccine at your local ShopRite or doctor's office.

2. More development coming to Woodbridge Train Station and MetroPark

The drumbeat of Woodbridge development continues: A developer wants to build the Modera Woodbridge, a complex of 279 apartments next to the Woodbridge train station, plus a rooftop deck, pet spa and coffee bar, reports JerseyDigs. The first move-ins are projected for late 2022.

As Patch reported earlier this year, NJ Transit is very eager to find a developer to build around the MetroPark train station: NJ Transit wants to tear down the two parking garages that are there now, and convert them into mixed-used commerce/residential. NJ Transit also wants to build a retail/residential complex at the Aberdeen-Matawan station. Stay tuned for likely news on both in the new year.

Edison residents were successful this year in blocking the construction of a warehouse in Silver Lake. But what's going to happen to Riverton, a massive residential complex pitched along the banks of the Raritan River in Sayreville? The COVID-recession put the brakes on new development nationwide, but we have a feeling all these projects will soon be resurrected. Sayreville: Massive Luxury Apt. Complex 'Riverton' May Be Coming

3. Rutgers, Princeton, Hackensack and RWJ to come together in one building in New Brunswick

The big news this year is when Gov. Murphy unveiled this dramatic new plan for Rutgers, Princeton, Hackensack Meridian Health and RWJ Barnabas to come together under one roof in downtown New Brunswick.

The plan calls for the opening of "The New Jersey Innovation and Technology Hub," a ten-story, 210,000-square-foot building within walking distance of the Northeast Corridor rail line. It will be built on what is currently a vacant lot; there used to be a garage there that was torn down.

And they're looking for private companies to join them: The door is "wide open" for private firms like Johnson & Johnson, Merck and others to rent space there, said Murphy.

An opening date is not scheduled until 2024, however. Rutgers, Princeton Come Together Under One Roof At NJ Tech Hub

4. Rutgers Cancer Institute

What will open much sooner is the Rutgers Cancer Pavilion, a 12-story state-of-the-art cancer treatment center that will soon soar over the New Brunswick skyline.

The center will be run by the Rutgers Cancer Institute, part of RWJBarnabas Health and construction was supposed to start in the fall of 2020. The Rutgers Cancer Institute be located on Little Albany Street and reach over Somerset Street (the current site of the Lincoln Annex School). Once done, it will be visible from miles around. Rutgers To Build First Free-Standing Cancer Hospital In NJ

5. East Brunswick tries to revive Rt. 18 redevelopment plan

East Brunswick has been very vocal about wanting to do a massive redevelopment along the Rt. 18 corridor. In early 2020, the town unveiled a plan to take 44 acres of blighted property from Ruth Street to Lake Avenue and turn it into a $500 million mixed-use development, with a hotel, a tech center and a healthcare facility. See renderings here: First Look At Dramatic New Rt. 18 Development In East Brunswick

This is the site of the former Loehmanns Plaza and Wiz/Gap Plaza, a once thriving but now vacant shopping hub. The COVID-recession put the brakes on the entire plan, but expect to hear about the project advancing in 2021.

What is confirmed is that a new CubeSmart storage facility will open at the former Kmart site in East Brunswick, and a Crunch Gym will open there in early 2021. Also, a massive FedEx warehouse and distribution center will be coming to 39 Edgeboro Road.