Burlington Day draws 1,000 to see future promenade plans

The grassy Burlington City promenade came alive Saturday with rows of tents that shielded politicians, business representatives, and civic groups from the bright sunshine and the gentle breezes wafting from the Delaware.

About 1,000 people milled around for Burlington Day, stopping to gawk at the Zumba dancers off the shoreline and the colorful potted plants that were offered for sale by a Marine Corps auxiliary. Many were drawn to a display of pictures, set up on easels, that illustrated what would be the riverfront promenade of the future, if a planned multimillion-dollar makeover is approved.

"Look, there will be dinner cruises out of here," Gene Zyblike said to his wife, Stephanie, pointing to a dock where tourists will line up to board boats. The Mount Laurel couple decided to come out for Burlington Day - an event that has been held annually for four decades - to see the new plans for the waterfront and find out for themselves if the city is truly poised for a rebirth.

The city of 10,000, founded in 1677, was marred by vacancies in the downtown over the last decade or so. The median household income was $54,100, and 10.4 percent of the population was below the poverty level, according to a 2013 census report.

In recent years, developers have submitted plans to build a market-rate, 183-unit apartment complex along the river, and a pair of investors proposed renovating the landmark Cafe Gallery, which closed in 2013 after 35 years. Other investors have announced plans to open a new eatery in a historic firehouse and a brewery in a former bank. The projects are underway, in various stages.

But the most anticipated project is the redesign of the 14-acre promenade, which includes new walkways, landscaping, a bandstand, a river overlook, and athletic fields.

"I just hope this really takes off," Gene Zyblike said. "We will come," his wife said, adding they had arrived by light rail, which has a downtown stop.

Sally Reynolds, an architect with the Philadelphia-based Olin Studios who helped with the design, said the visitors who examined the pictures and renderings posed two questions: When will the project be done and how much will it cost? Her answers: "In the near future, and it depends."

The plans were submitted several months ago, but City Council has yet to decide how to proceed. Initial estimates pegged the project at $2.5 million to $5 million, depending on its final scope.

Susan Atkins, a Lumberton resident, said she plans to retire soon and would like to live near water. "I used to live near the Shore, but it would be nice if we didn't have to move," she said. The vision for the promenade impressed her, she said, but she is not interested in renting an apartment. "Are any houses being built on the waterfront?" she asked. Currently, no such project has been proposed.

Alishia Bulotovich, a Cinnaminson resident who grew up in Burlington City, said she brought her 5-week-old son, Oliver, to his first spring festival. "It's nice," she said.

Her sister, Amanda Bulotovich, of Maple Shade, said she was amazed at the excitement over the promenade. "There's more space here than many other places on the river," she said. "As kids, we took it for granted."