Officials tell what to expect in 2011

The start of a new year brings with it the promise of new opportunities and the chance to move forward. Officials at school districts and municipalities across the region are hopeful 2011 will offer a delivery on long-promised developments and continued successes with projects already in the works.

From the anticipated opening of an indoor market at the site of an old department store to the first curtain call at yet another renovated downtown theater, this year could offer residents a host of changes.

As 2010 wound down, The Daily Journal asked local leaders to explain what's on their calendars for 2011.

City Of Vineland,.

The city has some major redevelopment plans in the works. Some will only pick up momentum this year, while other projects long in planning will come to fruition this year.

Residents can expect Landis MarketPlace to open in March in the former J.J. Newberry department store on the 600 block of East Landis Avenue. The indoor public market has several tenants already on board, including an Amish market on the bottom level and flowers, fresh fish, spices and other specialty foods on the main level.

The Amish Market in Mullica Hill, run by the same people, gets thousands of visitors a day and Mayor Robert Romano hopes some of that will be replicated on Landis Avenue.

"That would be a lot of foot traffic for Vineland," he said. "It should be nice when it's open."

Also this year:

Vineland will celebrate its 150th birthday. The actual birthday is Aug. 8, but the city is planning events for the entire year. Officials are planning a parade and fireworks display on Aug. 7 and a Civil War Ball is planned on Sept. 24.

"We want to celebrate our heritage," Romano said.

Efforts will continue this year to transform the former Newcomb Medical Center into Newcomb Alliance Medical Center, a medical school with -- ideally -- University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey as the anchor. The university has yet to officially sign on with the effort, but has shown interest, including visits to the State Street site and, most recently, drafting a tentative plan for operating a school there.

(source:thedailyjournal.com)