| Author | Message | ||
     growler Citizen Username: Growler Post Number: 215 Registered: 11-2001 |
"Recently, some political types have tried to imply otherwise"...bingo! Let's hope that the plans do not stall with the new "elected" officials. Good luck Deanne! I'll be there! | ||
| newjerz Citizen Username: Newjerz Post Number: 88 Registered: 5-2003  |
Its funny, in some ways I feel like the success or failure of Springfield Ave and Maplewood really depends on the psycological deportment of the citizens, almost the way the stock market boom of the late 90's was fueled largely by psycological factors. Only difference is that the stock market had to come back to reality and the gains were lost. Any improvements Maplewood makes will be permanent and real. It might be a little bit rocky for a while but if people don't chicken out and remove themselves, a lot of good things will come about. I think it is important that everyone in our town keep a positive mindset and actively work towards keeping this place a great community. I admit, I rarely went to Springfield Ave to shop in the past, but I realize that it is important to support local businesses. Forgive me if this sounds too much like a cheesy pep talk. by the way, growler, what do the quotes around "elected" mean? | ||
| bobk Supporter Username: Bobk Post Number: 3277 Registered: 5-2001 |
While I think that the two new businesses moving to SA are very positive,from a pure revenue point of view there will be little effect. Neither of NetNomads nor Burnett Barbecue are going to develop significantly more tax revenue than the previous tenants in the spaces they are going to occupy. This is why we need an Economic Development Officer. | ||
| ajc Citizen Username: Ajc Post Number: 1696 Registered: 9-2001 |
..."from a pure revenue point of view there will be little effect." Bob, I'm sorry but your comment disappoints me... What are you talking about? Please correct me if I’m wrong, but the whole idea about our re-development plan for the Avenue is to stabilize the property values and attract new businesses to locate there. I believe at this point in the game it’s not so much about how much tax revenue we can generate, but more about improving, protecting, and developing what we already have there. Surely as that happens, property values will increase and so will our towns tax revenues. This slow, expensive, and difficult process is now well under way. Residents throughout the community are finally beginning to see the progress of all the past years of talking and planning. Yes, a good professional economic development officer can help expedite the process, and if we’re lucky, his successes might even pay for his salary. The possibility of developing significantly more tax revenue than the previous tenants at any one location, will only happen in the event the owners decide to improve and/or expand what they already have there. The way that happens is when they can see a future for their investments. The decision by NetNomads and Burnett Barbecue to bring their businesses to the Avenue is just what the doctor ordered. While your comment that their move is not going to develop significantly more tax revenue is partially true, it also carries a negative viewpoint with it. The truth is that as a result of the improvements at both locations, the property taxes will increase. No, it’s not significant, but it’s clearly heading in the right direction. IMHO, as the progress continues on the Avenue, it would be helpful if we all could try not to say things that might dampen the fire... | ||
| Nlanzieri Citizen Username: Nlanzieri Post Number: 150 Registered: 1-2003 |
Art, There will always be pessimists. I can sometimes relate to the doubters. There are still deeper problems on the Ave than just cosmetic. BTW, I heard there was a purse snatching the other day and the woman was beat up by the guy. Just around Tuscan and prospect. I do not like what I am hearing. I say we throw the gates up. | ||
| ajc Citizen Username: Ajc Post Number: 1700 Registered: 9-2001 |
Nlanzieri, I'm sorry, but I’m just an optimist... So, tell us what deeper problems do you see on the Avenue than just cosmetic? The purse snatching the other day is a real concern for everyone in town. BTW, Tuscan and Prospect is not SA. It's also not the first attack in town, and unfortunately it probably won't be the last. I don't know about putting up gates, but a strong Neighborhood Watch is definitely in the cards. | ||
| Nlanzieri Citizen Username: Nlanzieri Post Number: 151 Registered: 1-2003 |
Its close enough to SA and more importantly to my home. Its not acceptable, plain and simple. If crime continues the people will stay away no matter how nice they make the place. The businesses will suffer and we will be back to square one. The first and foremost on the agenda should be no tolerance on crime of any sort. Once crime is down and stays down like in NYC and the people know it, the place will thrive. | ||
| ajc Citizen Username: Ajc Post Number: 1706 Registered: 9-2001 |
"Its not acceptable, plain and simple." So what do you want to do about it? As I said, a strong Neighborhood Watch is definitely in the cards... | ||
| melidere Citizen Username: Melidere Post Number: 610 Registered: 5-2001 |
the only success we've had with gates around here weren't for keeping people OUT, they were for keeping people IN. They made it harder for criminals to high-tail it OUT of our jurisdiction. The only thing that anyone ever said that made sense to me about reducing this kind of crime on our streets was to have more people out and about. 5 will get you ten that the lady whose purse was snatched was the only visible person on the street. the real key to the success of neighborhood watch organizations and community groups may be that they introduce neighbors to each other, who then turn around and tend to say hello and stop a minute creating activity which is very inhospitable to crooks. i don't know if any one thing can solve all the problems, but i hate even the thought of locking people out, even in jest. | ||
| ajc Citizen Username: Ajc Post Number: 1707 Registered: 9-2001 |
“I don't know if any one thing can solve all the problems…” We’re in agreement that there’s no single answer to the problem, however the Neighborhood Watch program goes along way in the right direction. On the other hand I don't believe gates and fences are just about keeping people in or out. It's more about containing and directing the flow of crime in our suburbs. This concept is also not just about Maplewood; it's about crime in every community. If we’re serious about making our town safer, then we need to help law enforcement to help us. The use of gates and the flow of traffic in different sections of town will do just exactly that. A good example of that is on the North East section of town where for several years now they have enjoyed the benefits of living in their own protected and gated community within the community. If we begin to control the movement of traffic in our communities, we give the police the ability to quickly close off sections of town and contain the criminals when they are trying to escape from a robbery, or with a stolen car. How often do we hear of police chases through town after town, where they often end in a fatal crash killing innocent bystanders? It’s time to stop making up stories about how gates are not friendly. It's time to start protecting our residents from needless crime and the inherent dangers to our families associated with criminals being able to go where they want, when ever they want... Lets start thinking now about where we can put up gates and controlling traffic. BTW, I’m not saying this in jest.  | ||
| bobk Supporter Username: Bobk Post Number: 3278 Registered: 5-2001 |
Sorry it took me a while to get back to this thread. Don't get me wrong, I think NetNomads and Burnett Barbecue are positive for the area around SA and Prospect, if only because they will increase foot traffic in the area and will, a guess I admit, be open late. I wonder if the barbecue place will cause protest by nearby neighbors in College Hill, however, for the same reasons KFC did; traffic, use of the public lot, late hours, etc. Also, please remember that we, the taxpayers of Maplewood, are spending $10,000,000 to spruce up SA. The hope is that we will lead to gain some additional tax revenue. I personally think it makes sense to have a professional economic development person on staff to help in this area. Apparently, others don't agree. | ||
| ajc Citizen Username: Ajc Post Number: 1709 Registered: 9-2001 |
“Sorry it took me a while to get back to this thread.” Why did you bother? Hey, I’m sorry also Bob, but I don’t see where you’re adding anything new or positive to the conversation. Really... I guess I’m on it a little this morning, but I want to see more positive suggestions, or encouragement to support the progress that is taking place on the Avenue. There’s a call out for help from all those who are working to turn the Avenue around. With all the negative comments that have been posted on MOL in past years, anyone still thinking about making a move to Springfield Avenue will certainly have to wonder if they are making the right decision. Your observations, wondering, questions, reminders, guessing, hoping, and thinking, are not producing much more then more doubt about the future of the Avenue. Don't you get me wrong either. I also agree NetNomads and Burnett Barbecue are positive for the area, but could you just leave out all the caveats once in while? | ||
| bobk Supporter Username: Bobk Post Number: 3280 Registered: 5-2001 |
Art, since I am the one who brought up the two businesses moving to SA and posted the link to the Star Ledger article I think I have some right to post here.  With that said I admit I am not one for the Chamber of Commerce, Rotary hyperbole that you are spewing in this thread. Yeah, I do tend to concentrate on the threats instead of the opportunities sometimes. Yes, some very positive things are happening on SA, but there is still a long way to go and one hell of a lot of money is being spent on infrastructure with very little overall planning, or at least from my point of view. | ||
| lumpyhead Citizen Username: Lumpyhead Post Number: 363 Registered: 3-2002 |
Police on foot at night on Springfield Ave. That is if we have any trained and experienced officers left after the backlash and bitterness from the elections. | ||
| lseltzer Citizen Username: Lseltzer Post Number: 1660 Registered: 5-2001 |
>>That is if we have any trained and experience officers left after the backlash and bitterness from the elections. I thought their candidates won? | ||
| lumpyhead Citizen Username: Lumpyhead Post Number: 364 Registered: 3-2002 |
You can do a lot of damage if you have 6 months left and still have a majority on the TC. Talk to some of the officers yourself. I tell them they have held out this long, another 6 months won't matter. | ||
| zoe Citizen Username: Zoe Post Number: 301 Registered: 7-2002 |
lseltzer, "I thought their candidates won?" Tell that to the Republican candidates still running, or do you think it is all over due to the primary results? | ||
| hello Citizen Username: Hello Post Number: 35 Registered: 7-2003 |
it seems to me there is a major absurdity regarding SA. people who praise traffic flow constriction also bemoan a lack of tax revenues from SA. you can't have one without the other- easy of car access from 78 is mandatory for tax revenues from SA. i'm very saddened to hear what i regard as pabulum in here suggesting tax revenues and even national outlets will go somewhere people can't drive their car to. we all know the mixed demographics of the area within walking distance of SA, so why is it a surprise businesses which cater to this demographic are the only ones there, since you can't get in-and-out by car from 78 due to the seemingly willful redesign of the street? i seriously doubt the folks in millburn said "we have a great site for a mall which will generate huge revenues for our town, but let's make all the streets getting there 1-lane and force people to spend an extra hour in their cars, or better yet walk, because that's how i want my fantasy world to be" | ||
| tjohn Citizen Username: Tjohn Post Number: 1632 Registered: 12-2001  |
Increased business tax revenues are NOT a major justification for improving SA. Every once in a while, somebody does the math and demonstrates the even under the best of circumstances, the increased tax revenues will not justify the money being spent on Springfield Ave. The justification for the spending can only be to spruce up the area so that small businesses will want to locate on SA and pedestrian traffic will increase and the general desirability fo living in that area will increase. In a perfect world, the property value differences in Maplewood would be a function of size of lot & home and condition of house and not a function of the relative desirability of certain neighborhoods. It seems to me that the SA initiative needs to focus on closing the desirability gap. I would be very pleased to see the amount of foot traffic on SA that one sees in the Village on weekends. That would be a good indicator of success. | ||
| newjerz Citizen Username: Newjerz Post Number: 92 Registered: 5-2003 |
Well said tjohn. |
