Let’s go back to 2008. If you were in Glassboro back then, you would see aging buildings and empty parking lots. Rowan Boulevard did not exist, and Glassboro was not the epicenter of South Jersey. Fast forward to 2012, and the Glassboro Redevelopment Project was introduced and later started. The Glassboro Redevelopment Project was a multi-million dollar initiative to transform Glassboro's downtown area. The demolition of nearly 100 properties was underway, and Rowan Boulevard was now connected to Main Street. The area was still bleak and uninviting, but a much brighter future was on the horizon. In 2016, Rowan continued growing out, and up. Levels of buildings and apartments were being constructed at a rapid pace, and both stakeholders and shareholders had plenty of opinions. Regardless, Glassboro was growing exponentially. Now, in 2019, we are witnessing the finished product. The bright future envisioned on blueprints and in dreams have been made a reality, and both communities reap the benefits.

However, with growth comes growing pains. Now that both the Glassboro community and the Rowan community is nearing 20,000 people, the area faces a population issue when it doubles every August. Physical areas like this, with open areas and public seating in front of you and retail shops and restaurants behind you, are the perfect response to growing pains and lack of integration.
As the area shifted, the culture shifted into that of a true New Jersey college town. You may think this area was built overnight, but attitudes and opinions do not change that way. Longtime Glassboro citizens are still adjusting to the revolving door of students coming in and out of their small, historic town. This mural is here to help. You are standing on a bridge between town and gown, a physical and cultural landmark where two communities are beginning to come together as one.