Hartz has already had a number of meetings with communitygroups, according to company president Emanuel Stern, and hasslated an August 12 town-hall style meeting at the nearby EdisonClarion Inn. A link has also been established on the company'swebsite to allow visitors to make comments, ask questions andgenerally follow the progress of the project.

"A major, established town like Edison and a site as complex asthe Ford property require that we do everything we can tounderstand the project through the eyes of local residents andcommunity organizations," Stern says. "We are committed to using anumber of communication tools that allow the public to interactwith us frequently."

Out of the effort will come the specific mix of on-site uses.Those uses are expected to include entertainment and culturalfacilities, a retail component, hotels and restaurants.