| Author | Message | ||
     Jennifer Church Citizen Username: Jerzeychic Post Number: 11 Registered: 6-2003 |
Just a thought but do the people who planned out and built that ugly SOPAC building know what they were doing when they decided to go ahead with building it? seriously, Hello??? Theres no parking in S.O. already besides the fact that it looks really crammed in back of the train station why put it back there? theres no room people. Theres RARELY parking on S.O. ave. and in back of Blockbuster and to park in the commuter lots you have to have a S.O. resident parking sticker or be on a 2-3 year waiting list to get one which I am currently on. Where are all of the out of towners going to park? Have a feeling the SOPAC and theatre are going to cause nothing but more traffic,noise,and headaches.  }} | ||
| Kibbegirl Citizen Username: Kibbegirl Post Number: 731 Registered: 5-2003 |
I agree, Jennifer. Whenever I park back there, which is seldom because there are no spaces, I look up at the building and think "we'll have to walk from home to catch a movie because there's no place to park." And mind you, we don't live that close to the theatre. I believe it will be a nightmare. | ||
| wnb Citizen Username: Wnb Post Number: 538 Registered: 8-2001 |
The theory is that events will take place primarily evenings and weekends, a time when the parking lots in the vicinity are comparatively empty. I have not seen much evidence against this theory, actually. For that matter, I have never had all that much trouble finding a place to park in the village. I do believe a parking garage along the lines of what they have in Summit would be beneficial to SO, but I don't believe SOPAC is going to generate the parking nightmare some think it will. What will generate a parking nightmare is if all these empty storefronts start filling up. And that is a problem I would welcome with open arms. | ||
| SOrising Citizen Username: Sorising Post Number: 711 Registered: 2-2006 |
Not sure exactly what you meant, wnb, but I would not say there are no parking problems in SO on the weekends. Saturdays are especially busy, often. Even in the evening, if lots of people try to get out of town on SO Ave at about the same time, I can think of lots of people who will avoid it altogether. Even Lincoln center in congested Manhattan has parking decks. | ||
| susan1014 Supporter Username: Susan1014 Post Number: 1756 Registered: 3-2002 |
I've never had trouble parking in the village on an evening or weekend, although I can't always get into the parking that is closest to my destination. (On the other hand, I've always been able to park in the big station lot for evening excursions to Bunny's...) But then, on an evening or weekend, I might have to park a block away from my destination at the mall or multiplex also...It seems like some people here assume that it is a parking disaster if you have to park more than 100 steps from your seat. What we will need is some excellent signage to help out of towners actually find the rescue squad lot and other appropriate lots. | ||
| susan1014 Supporter Username: Susan1014 Post Number: 1757 Registered: 3-2002 |
And where did we come up with the theory that there should never be traffic congestion before or after an event? If that is the theory, we need to cancel every school parents event, sporting event, holiday event, etc. in town. Not to mention every rush hour train. Gatherings cause traffic. Doesn't mean that gatherings are bad, just that traffic needs to be managed, and that drivers can't assume that they will never be slowed down. We can have easy traffic, open parking and a dead downtown, or we can try to have a vibrant downtown and manage the parking and traffic issues that may arise. I'll vote for the latter. | ||
| Soparents Supporter Username: Soparents Post Number: 2785 Registered: 5-2005  |
I agree with susan1014's comments. Yes, traffic will be caused, and I would be delighted to see that as it would mean that SOPAC is well patronised, BUT traffic control measures need to be put into place, both to direct out-of-towners to the parking locations, as well as controlling the traffic flow to and from the venue so that the theatre-goers and non theatre-goers aren't stressed out or aggravated. I would hope that the traffic flow/parking has been the subject of discussion etc so that either a soft opening/dry run can take place, or that they are confident enough in their policies and procedures to control this hopefully gitch-free when SOPAC opens. Of course we will have no idea of the full impact until it opens, but I hope that we will be happy with the procedures they will put in place. | ||
| RBC Citizen Username: Rbcole123 Post Number: 8 Registered: 4-2005 |
Do people think the opening of SOPAC will jump start development in SO, with new businesses and progress on the existing projects? I believe that, with the new grocery store (when?) and SOPAC, businesses will realize the town's potential and want to open here. Until then, the empty lots look terrible and nobody seems to know what is going on with them. | ||
| Cali6buff Citizen Username: Cali6buff Post Number: 72 Registered: 4-2006 |
There is a tipping point at which developers have the upper hand, to the town having the upper hand. We've seen the developers are the ones with the good cards right now. They're slow, unresponsive and demanding. SOPAC could easily tip the scales our way and there will be multiple developers longing for downtown SO property. I think it's a good possibility. | ||
| SOrising Citizen Username: Sorising Post Number: 713 Registered: 2-2006 |
Yes, SOPAC, which has cost SO residents over $14 million, with no caps in sight, on spending. Its a really good gamble with no business plan. What are we going to do when it is not able to support itself AFTER it opens? Subsidize it indefinitely with rising taxes and inadequate parking for people who might attend it? Have a fire sale? Close it up? Since there is no plan, these and other questions cannot be answered. You may think its a "good possibility" Cali6buff, but I think its a crap shoot, not worth financing in the tens of millions. It is a desperate act to jump start downtown, but a very, very ill-conceived one. Its enormous poor planning does not justify its great expense. Bad excecution has compromised an understandably appealing idea. | ||
| dgm Citizen Username: Dgm Post Number: 313 Registered: 5-2001 |
The developers don't have to have the upper hand if the entire public gets involved. Their hope is limited public input. | ||
| Cali6buff Citizen Username: Cali6buff Post Number: 74 Registered: 4-2006 |
What can the general public do? Nothing. Their only incentive is profit. And until it is obvious that a location will be profitable, the developers so have the upper hand. | ||
| mrmaplewood Citizen Username: Mrmaplewood Post Number: 397 Registered: 5-2001 |
Parking may not be a big problem. When people realize that the building shudders and shakes when a through-bound express comes past, blowing it's horn, they aren't going to be happy to come back. New Yorkers may put up with that, but not for me. | ||
| susan1014 Supporter Username: Susan1014 Post Number: 1758 Registered: 3-2002 |
The general public can buy tickets! Let's not assume the soundproofing is bad until we try it...I've eaten many a meal in and around the station with little interference from the trains. In the stores under the trestle, you definitely hear it, but I don't recall ever noticing it in Bunny's, for example. SOPAC is going to happen, so lets try to make it a success, while also holding those who have allowed questionable cost overruns responsible. This is a case where I don't think we should let our frustration with the BOT make us sour about what they have helped build. | ||
| Former Cowgirl Citizen Username: Formercowgirl Post Number: 186 Registered: 3-2006  |
It is shocking to me when people say they never have a problem parking in town or with traffic in town. I am a SAHM and do quite a few runs at various times of day to town on an average day dropping off or picking up commuter hubby or son from preschool. On the MAJORITY of times I find myself driving around the village looking for a parking spot. Now...to be fair...I am looking for a spot reasonably close to my destination. ie. I would not want to park by Sonny's Bagels if I have to go to Kait and Abbey's. Maybe that's picky of me. The most annoying parking situation as of late was having to return a movie to Blockbuster and there was no parking in front, on the side, nor any in the lot behind. (Ok, I'm 9 months pregnant and had a toddler in tow so I was extra grumpy about this particular situation.) I think parking is a HUGE problem for people looking to shop in the village. And I know for a fact that parking is a problem for local businesses looking to open up in S.O. For instance, the Little Gym in Livingston is considering spaces in South Orange and MAplewood and in S.O. parking is a real issue/concern. I'm sure they aren't the only business going through that. | ||
| mrmaplewood Citizen Username: Mrmaplewood Post Number: 398 Registered: 5-2001 |
Susan, not soundproofing. Rumbling, shuddering, and shaking. Soundproofing has no effect on the ground shaking. No, I can't prove it yet because I haven't been inside, but my experience in New York City makes me very leery. | ||
| Jennifer C Citizen Username: Jerzeychic Post Number: 12 Registered: 6-2003 |
The town worsened the traffic problem by turning South Orange Ave. into only two lanes. They butified it and created a traffic nightmare during rush hour. This also eliminated parking spaces-great idea. As for SOPAC, look where NJPAC in Newark is loacted, not in a small congested village downtown area. Why do we need SOPAC?. More traffic, pollution, higher taxes and the cost of traffic control personell. Was it guaranteed that SOPAC would be a ratable? Will are taxes go down? The taxes in this town are obscene. Elected officials should vigourosly represent the residents interests. One priority should be lower taxes and provide affordable housing-not everyone in S.O. is a millionaire or a downtown business owner. Not one dime of taxpayer money should ever go to support SOPAC. The movie operator stands to benifit as well as the downtown business owners-Since they stand to benifit-let them contribute to support SOPAC not the taxpayers. } | ||
| susan1014 Supporter Username: Susan1014 Post Number: 1760 Registered: 3-2002 |
Cowgirl, didn't want to imply that daytime parking isn't a problem...it is, especially when your errands involve fetching and carrying children or parcels. Shopping and commuter parking are real ongoing problems. However, evening restaurant and event parking is not nearly as big a problem, IMHO, especially since those of us who are hugely pregnant will generally be with someone who can drop us off curbside then, unlike during the day! (I'm 7 months in with twins, and larger than I was at full term with my daughter, so I know what you mean about needing close parking). Best of luck with the end of your pregnancy! |
