"The offices will increase the number of daytime tenants along the commercial strip," says Carlos J. Silva, chairman and CEO of the Elizabeth-based Silcon. "The ground floor leased for retail space will add more shopping opportunities. The key to a revitalized downtown is to bring in more bustle during the daytime hours."

While it's labeled Linden Promenade I, it's actually the second new building on the site. Silcon recently completed a 4,600-sf restaurant building, labeled Linden Promenade II. According to Silva, his company is currently negotiating with a number of national and local restaurateurs for the site, and is in final negotiations with professional tenants for the larger building.

Both buildings are adjacent to the Raymond Wood Bauer Promenade, a $4.1-million public park that features a 350-seat amphitheater. The promenade, which opened this past summer and is named after a local banker, was built by Silcon as part of its redevelopment agreement with the City of Linden and the Union County Improvement Authority.