Former Mayor Michael Wilson

 

Mayor Michael Wilson

 

 

Mike is an alumnus of St. Rose of Lima Grammar School, Freehold High School and Trenton State College.  In 2006, he was inducted into Freehold High School’s Hall of Fame.

 

Mike worked in real estate in the Freehold area for 30 years. Before his retirement he was a real estate analyst for the NJ Turnpike Authority.  Mike also serves as a Commissioner on the Manasquan River Regional Sewerage Authority.

 

Mike was first appointed to fill an unexpired term on Freehold Borough Council in 1980 and was re-elected for two additional terms.  He was then appointed to fill the office of Mayor after the death of Mayor John McGackin in 1985.  He has been re-elected as Mayor for five consecutive terms.

 

Mike Wilson’s commitment to Freehold Borough is extraordinary.  He belongs to several community organizations, including the Knights of Columbus Council #1672, B.P.O. Elks #1454 and the Sons of the American Legion.  

 

Throughout his mayoral career, Mike has been instrumental in Freehold Borough’s downtown revitalization. The first significant project to be completed was a $600,000 overhaul of Main Street which featured the implementation of a beautiful brick promenade suitable for foot traffic, and which also included private renovations of the historic properties lining the street, plus the construction of brick pathways from Main Street through to the parking lot. This design was so successful, in fact, several other downtowns were inspired by what was accomplished and implemented this innovative alleyway concept into their redevelopment plans.

 

In 1992, Mike led the charge to receive a Special Improvement District designation, which became the Freehold Center Partnership, the nonprofit entity established by ordinance to manage the municipality's SID. Through its efforts, Downtown Freehold has become an attractive regional destination that provides a sharply contrasted dining and leisure enhancement for the mall traffic.

 

The next project he led was the successful use of eminent domain to completely renovate a blighted area, at a cost of approximately $3 million in private redevelopment. Now, the Mechanic Street environs features a brick promenade and a parking lot for the County Clerk’s office.

 

In 2000, he was responsible for securing nearly $6 million in private redevelopment funds to completely transform the former textile mill into a multi-use center, The Rug Mill Towers, which now houses low-to moderate-income families and senior citizens, a YMCA and our Police Department and municipal court. The Rug Mill Towers has had tremendous positive economic and social impact for the municipality of Freehold Borough.

 

Freehold Borough Mayor Mike Wilson was also inducted into the New Jersey Mayor’s Hall of Fame in 2007. He stepped down from his Mayoral role in Freehold Borough in 2011 and is the longest serving mayor in Monmouth County history.

 

E-mail: mgwilsonfb@gmail.com