| Author | Message | ||
     Nlanzieri Citizen Username: Nlanzieri Post Number: 100 Registered: 1-2003 |
A few buildings on SA and Prospect St area seem to be getting a facelift. The bumpout construction seems to be moving more quickly. I am starting to see more people walking the avenue with strollers? Can this be? Somebody pinch me. Is it just my imagination? Am I jumping the gun? Is it because the rain let up or is something finally happening? When is Wiliam Sonoma, that gourmet deli and Trader Joes coming? | ||
| JerryC Citizen Username: Jerryc Post Number: 1 Registered: 12-2002 |
Not sure if we are quite up to Williams-Sonoma yet but there are some signs of progress. There are a lot of things going on behind the scenes. I'd like the revitalization to go quicker, but it's a near monumental task. I was always the biggest skeptic when it came to the Ave but I'm begining to believe that if we just stay focused, remain realistic and win the small battles, we can turn it around. My biggest frustration is hearing some (not all) folks from the other side of town scoff at the work being done and indicate that they'd never shop on or patronize SA no matter what. The reality is that as SA goes, so goes Maplewood. Many people who come to town...to vist, to look for a house, come via Springfield Ave. The better it becomes, the more desireable the whole town becomes. Get involved. | ||
| lah Citizen Username: Lah Post Number: 129 Registered: 5-2001 |
Someone on the train told me that the building on the corner of Prospect/Springfield was going to be a restaurant (potentially with outdoor seating). | ||
| Bjp Citizen Username: Bjp Post Number: 136 Registered: 10-2002 |
"As SA goes, so goes Maplewood"? What? | ||
| Nlanzieri Citizen Username: Nlanzieri Post Number: 101 Registered: 1-2003 |
I think he means if SA goes to the Dogs the rest MW will follow. Not immediately but eventually. I am a firm believer in the broken windows theory. I have applied this theory to many of my business practices successfully and found that if you fix the little things, the facades the sidewalks etc. the bigger things will follow. Jerry C, Thanks for the update. How do you know all of this? You use the term "we". Do you have access to the plans? How do you suggest people get involved to help move it along? | ||
| crazyguggenheim Citizen Username: Crazyguggenheim Post Number: 411 Registered: 2-2002  |
Call me crazy, but JerryC, not knowing where you are physically standing, your reference to "the other side of town" has little or no meaning. Call me crazy | ||
| Nohero Citizen Username: Nohero Post Number: 1781 Registered: 5-2001  |
Crazy, JerryC may be referring to people who post here, who say that they never come over to Springfield Avenue, and don't even know what it looks like. Those would be people on "the other side of town". A lot of work was done over the weekend on those buildings mentioned at the start of the thread. They're starting to look pretty spiffy. Hope it bodes well for the future. | ||
| James O' reilly Citizen Username: Highlander Post Number: 22 Registered: 5-2003 |
Check out the thread in Virtual Cafe about S.A. Then read the comments in the thread in Soapbox about how uncomfortable some people are on S.A. Any comments? | ||
| JerryC Citizen Username: Jerryc Post Number: 2 Registered: 12-2002 |
Where I'm standing right now is in the home I've lived in for 20 years, on Lexington ave. I grew up on Hughes St so except for a short time living elsewhere, I've pretty much been a resident of "this side of town" for about 40 years. I believe that it makes me fairly qualified to speak about matters related to Springfield Ave. For a very long time, I was one who simply complained about the Ave at every opportunity and in any forum(see earings on a pig).I finally got tired of passively watching things deteriorate and decided to help. While it's not prefect, and I sometimes get frustrated by the time it takes to get things done, the Springfield Ave Partnership is working hard behind the scenes to bring change. Most of the store owners on the Ave are dedicated, hard working and have a big stake in a successful redevelopment. Look at the things that happened in Red Bank, or Bloomfied Ave in Montclair. It takes a few simple wins to get momentum. The unfortunate part is that it sometimes feels as if the town is not very untied in this cause. That is truely short sighted on the part of those who think that it is either a waste of time or that it will have no real effect on thier lives or property values. As far as getting invloved, it can be as simple as metioning the redevelopment to someone you know who might have a business that would fit well on the Ave..or taking some time to patronize some of the businesses that are there.... contact the partnership and ask if thre is anything you can do to help. I know that it may seem as if there is no real plan. However, in some ways, the plan is simple: improve the overall appearance and keep working to bring in good businesses and developers; enforce the ordinances; keep chipping away at the problems.It will do no good to try to boil the ocean. Simple things can make a big difference. | ||
| r2boy Citizen Username: R2boy Post Number: 97 Registered: 5-2001 |
At last night's TC mtg, the mayor announced that a Portugese Restaurant that already has two places in Union was taking over where LeJardin was located on Springfield Ave..could it be the Burnett Bar B Que? He also said a family type restaurant was taking the Amoco station spot.No name was mentioned...all positive things for the Avenue.. | ||
| bobk Supporter Username: Bobk Post Number: 3180 Registered: 5-2001 |
Is Burnett Bar B Que Portugese? Being a granola and nuts type family we don't partake in that sort of thing.  KFC can be viewed as a "Family Restauratnt". Since a new building is needed at the AMOCO station this sounds like another chain, although I admit that this is a WAG and I have, once or twice, been wrong in the past. Ron Carter may have to come out of retirement. Overall, in spite of my stiring the pot, I agree that all of this is posistive. | ||
| Nohero Citizen Username: Nohero Post Number: 1786 Registered: 5-2001 |
Excellent post by JerryC - expecially the reminder that everyone should just patronize some of the businesses. No matter who or where you are, that's a little thing that can really help. One suggestion to get you started - last week the Star-Ledger raved over the ravioli at DiPietro's(scroll down the article). | ||
| Hank Zona Citizen Username: Hankzona Post Number: 630 Registered: 3-2002 |
I passed that Star-Ledger Munchmobile one day on SA..nice to know where it was coming from. DiPietro's is a treasure, and its right here in Maplewood. Unfortunately, many people in town probably need directions to get there, since its on SA. | ||
| harpo Citizen Username: Harpo Post Number: 890 Registered: 6-2001 |
Portugese food is great. Hope the menu has lots of seafood choices. | ||
| njphilf Citizen Username: Njphilf Post Number: 39 Registered: 4-2002 |
DiPietro's has the best ravioli's and there sauce is incredible. I highly recommend both! | ||
| growler Citizen Username: Growler Post Number: 205 Registered: 11-2001 |
Well said Jerry. I agree. Having a positive attitude of the Ave. is a start along with going to the places it offers. Also volunteering for events (and showing up) that the Partnership holds helps to show support for the Ave. There are definite improvements that everyone should be happy with. Kudos to Vic and the Partnership for the diligence in getting these new establishments going and on working on the new ones. Yes, it seems slow however at least it's moving forward. Let's hope it doesn't stall once the new "leaders" are "elected". | ||
| growler Citizen Username: Growler Post Number: 206 Registered: 11-2001 |
Oh yeah, DiPietro's rules! | ||
| eb1154 Citizen Username: Eb1154 Post Number: 291 Registered: 5-2001 |
I think it is Burnet BBQ. the mayor also said there was a coffee shop moving in to the bulding on the corner of Prospect and SA and possibly another familly restaurant at the Amoco site. It looks like their plan is working. | ||
| Nlanzieri Citizen Username: Nlanzieri Post Number: 105 Registered: 1-2003 |
Where can I find out more about SA Partnership events and/or ways to assist with the effort?? | ||
| eb1154 Citizen Username: Eb1154 Post Number: 292 Registered: 5-2001 |
Beth MacDonald runs the SA Partnership and you should be able to get her number from the Township Clerk's office at TH. The clerk's name and number is: Liz Fritzen 973-762-8120 |
