Public, private, and university partners gathered March 1 for the official ribbon-cutting ceremony at The Heldrich, the new 345,000 square-foot hotel and conference center that will redefine the heart of downtown New Brunswick.
The cornerstone of the mixed-use facility occupying almost 2 acres at the intersection of Livingston Avenue, George and New streets is Rutgers' John J. Heldrich Center for Workforce Development, the nation's first university-based institute devoted to transforming the complex system of workforce development at the local, state, and federal levels.
The namesake of the hotel and academic institute, John J. Heldrich, is the chairperson of the Heldrich Center's National Advisory Board. Heldrich combined his career as a top executive at Johnson & Johnson with a record of leadership and commitment to public, community, and civic service. He retired from Johnson & Johnson in 1991 after 41 years.
Heldrich was the driving force behind the successful redevelopment of New Brunswick, and eventually chaired and founded New Brunswick Tomorrow, the nonprofit organization that has spearheaded the city's renewal.
"The Heldrich truly honors the vision of a man who has meant so much to this city and the state," said Rutgers President Richard L. McCormick. "To know that this building will continue John's legacy is very gratifying to all ... This property represents a great relationship between John's alma mater and this city. I could not be more grateful or more proud that Rutgers is a partner in The Heldrich."
Heldrich received a standing ovation at the ribbon-cutting ceremony. "We now know that cooperation between the public, private, and community sectors can accomplish anything," Heldrich said. "I share this honor with literally hundreds of people."