Oct. 20--POMPTON LAKES -- It was a day for rekindling old glory, but with an ultra-modern look.

And the hopes for a revived and bustling downtown were as bright Monday as the sunshine that poured down on a crowd of elected officials ceremoniously breaking ground for a $2-million revitalization project.

"We've been waiting in anticipation for this," said Robert Walker, acting vice chairman of the borough's Business Improvement District. "This is just one of the many pieces to making the downtown business district more appealing to future customers and business owners."

The project will involve renovating Wanaque Avenue from Cannonball Road to Hamburg Turnpike with new curbing, benches, pave/concrete sidewalks and new decorative -- and energy-saving -- light-emitting diode (LED) lamps.

"We'll be the first energy-green-lit town in New Jersey," Walker said.

The moment also wasn't lost, either, on the street merchants the community's counting on to bring back the days of bustling business.

"I think it's marvelous! ... A long time in coming," said Joseph Feinbloom, who owned a men's shop in town for 40 years until 1977. As he watched the ceremony, he remembered when Pompton Lakes was the shopping hub of the Highlands rim area. From 1930 to 1970, the population had nearly quadrupled to more than 11,000 residents as the local DuPont explosives factory fueled the economy and culture. But the demise of the plant and competition from regional malls since then caused a slow fade downtown, now featuring mostly small specialty shops and services.

Nevertheless, Feinbloom predicted, "The town has a good basic base, it's centrally located and can do well again."

The $2-million Streetscape project begins Wednesday. It is expected to continue until around Dec. 5.

On Monday, local officials and state legislators took the microphone and emphasized their smalltown-revitalization strategy before grabbing shovels for the groundbreaking.

"This town has the ability when things are at their worst, to turn them around," said U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ), who secured nearly $1.4 million in federal funds for the project during his years on the House Transportation Committee. The borough and area businessmen are currently contributing more than $600,000 to the effort.

Pascrell called Pompton Lakes, "a jewel."

"If small towns don't work, nothing works," Pascrell said.