Rahway Mayor Unveils Amphitheater and City Vision for 2026

On the evening of March 5, 2026, Mayor Raymond A. Giacobbe stood before a gathered crowd at the Union County Performing Arts Center in Rahway and made one thing clear: the city is not done yet.

"Moving forward doesn't mean moving fast; it means moving smart," Giacobbe told the audience during his 2026 State of the City Address. "We are not just building more; we are building better."

Union County Life covered the address from the city's official announcement. The evening's headlining news came from Rahway, and it centered on a piece of ground near Hamilton Stage that will not become another apartment building.

A New Amphitheater for Rahway's Arts District

Instead, the mayor announced The James "Jim" Kennedy Amphitheater, a sustainable outdoor performance space named for the former Rahway mayor who first championed the city's arts revitalization and transit-oriented redevelopment. The project will link Hamilton Stage, the Union County Performing Arts Center, and The Gallery Space into what Giacobbe described as a continuous creative corridor for the Arts District.

The site will include an art walk and an eco-friendly rain garden. Giacobbe credited the Union County Board of Commissioners for their support during the land acquisition phase, and noted that the city turned down a traditional residential development proposal for the property in favor of this public space.

Infrastructure, Housing, and What Comes Next

Beyond the amphitheater, the mayor outlined progress and priorities across several areas of city life. Rahway has completed more than 100 capital projects and is running ahead of schedule on lead service line replacements. The city's next infrastructure focus will be Train Station Plaza, which Giacobbe described as a future pedestrian-friendly gateway.

On the economic side, the mayor said the city is deliberately shifting toward non-residential development to give the tax base more long-term stability. For seniors, the Esterbrook affordable housing project is set to break ground in the summer of 2026, and the city is already looking at additional sites for senior housing and community gathering spaces.

"I'm not asking you to believe in a promise; I'm asking you to look at the record," Giacobbe said as he closed the address. "Leadership is what happens tomorrow morning."

A full transcript of the address and the official presentation video are available at cityofrahway.com.

Find more Rahway events, arts coverage, and community news on Union County Life.