| Author | Message | ||
     Neen Citizen Username: Neen Post Number: 147 Registered: 1-2004 |
There seems to be no changes to the site of the new market except for the fact that the lovely plywood boards that were put up to cover the windows are beginning to fall off. What is happening here? There has been zero activity? | ||
| notehead Supporter Username: Notehead Post Number: 2413 Registered: 5-2001  |
No, I'm sure it's "coming soon." After all, how long could it possibly take to find a developer for a prime site like that and get a nice new market built?  | ||
| MHD Citizen Username: Mayhewdrive Post Number: 2537 Registered: 5-2001  |
Recently, Mark posted that construction would be starting in September & the Market will open in the Spring. However, based on the track record so far & the fact that nobody could explain the reason for the latest 6 month delay, I think we'll sooner see a new Arena in Newark before a Supermarket in South Orange. | ||
| mrosner Citizen Username: Mrosner Post Number: 2019 Registered: 4-2002 |
The latest delay is that shop-rite liquors won't be vacating their space till August 1st (Don't ask me why when I requested that we ask them to vacate one year ago). The market can't open till the parking deck behind it is ready. Which goes back to why I said work should start in September and the market should open in the spring. | ||
| MHD Citizen Username: Mayhewdrive Post Number: 2540 Registered: 5-2001 |
Mark, As I understood it, the "shell" of the former Shop Rite store was going to remain. As a result, the "construction" of the new market should simply be an interior renovation, right? If so, what does this have to do with Shop Rite liquors which is around the corner & down the street? | ||
| Matt Foley Citizen Username: Mattfoley Post Number: 271 Registered: 6-2004  |
I thought the "shell" was an ad hoc monument to the merchants & shopkeepers of Baghdad. It was a testament to the human spirit & a beacon of hope for all occupied peoples. | ||
| mrosner Citizen Username: Mrosner Post Number: 2021 Registered: 4-2002 |
MHD: The parking deck will be behind the shoprite and they need to have some spaces available or there won't be any place to park. The shop-rite liquors will be coming down (as will the triangular building) as soon as they are all vacant. The shell of the market will remain the same. | ||
| Pizzaz Citizen Username: Pizzaz Post Number: 1967 Registered: 11-2001  |
People would rather attack a volunteer organization like SOAR than to voice their outrage at the incompetency of the Village Administration. They'd rather laugh and chuckle about libelous statements printed than get annoyed and demand a change in the manner in which our elected officials behave in public. Cronynism, nepotism and an utter failure to communicate rational administrative and policy directives is the result of our lack of leadership. Now, since the election is over, have we witnessed a more open and transparent government or do we continue in the same mold? Everyone always wishes that things will change for the better, and we continue to wish the same. Let us address issues in affirmation that any reasonable person would expect our governing council to pursue (a DRMC is a reasonable alternative to the current status, a strategic plan to guide our Master Plan is reasonable, a further development of our relationship with SHU is reasonable, our committment to ensure the upkeep of public facilities is reasonable, a merger of shared services including administrative functions with Maplewood is reasonable, etc...). Many campaign promises were made by elected candidates, it's time we see a real effort put forth by those who asked and received the public's trust. The platforms were based on open government, let us see it happen. | ||
| Matt Foley Citizen Username: Mattfoley Post Number: 272 Registered: 6-2004 |
I'll climb the steeple and throw rice. IN 5 lb. BAGS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! | ||
| MHD Citizen Username: Mayhewdrive Post Number: 2542 Registered: 5-2001 |
"The shell of the market will remain the same." So....why hasn't construction started!!!!! | ||
| mrosner Citizen Username: Mrosner Post Number: 2022 Registered: 4-2002 |
MHD: What part don't you understand. They plan to start at the same time the parking deck construction starts. Both are expected to take 6 - 7 months time. The market operator wants to open when there will be a place to park. | ||
| MHD Citizen Username: Mayhewdrive Post Number: 2543 Registered: 5-2001 |
Mark, That's ridiculous. They have created an artificial dependency which will inevitably cause additional delays. Have them remove the "parking deck construction" from the critical path of the project and this thing could be underway already. | ||
| peteglider Citizen Username: Peteglider Post Number: 1231 Registered: 8-2002 |
Although the continuing delays are either b/c of incompetence or deceit, it would be foolish for the store to open before there is adequate parking. The place would fail quickly -- and then what -- another coming soon?!? Why can't these "developers" hire decent project management people? /p | ||
| Jim Murphy Citizen Username: Jimmurphy Post Number: 182 Registered: 5-2001 |
As a construction manager and scheduler, I can assure you that this is far from ridiculous, and the dependency is not artificial. The dependency is based upon the developer's bottom line. His desire to construct the garage and market along parallel tracks reduces his overhead and supervisory costs. From his perspective, starting now does nothing but increase his costs. Why would he do that? Just because we are impatient? Why would the developer act against his own interests? | ||
| Two Sense Citizen Username: Twosense Post Number: 243 Registered: 7-2004 |
mrosner: Are you part of the problem or part of the solution? A delayed start on the parking deck clearly should have absolutely nothing to do with starting renovation on the long overdue market building. No construction project proceeds exactly as planned (as we've learned only too well); and, no building that will have to be updated for ADA compliance and to satisfy the planning, building, health, and fire departments' ambiguous requirements will be opened as quickly as the tenant might expect (simply ask the owners of Taste of Asia, Niecy's, Voro, Prizm Photo, Heart & Soul, Caribbean Cuisine, and Dancing Goat). Renovation of the market should begin immediately, if there's any real expectation that it will be ready when there's adequate parking -- either behind it or on the Beifus site. And, as a vocal opponent of the PILOT, you should be protesting the loudest (at BoT meetings, not just on MOL) -- or you're frankly a part of the problem. By the way, how has the Village allowed Shop Rite Liquors to remain, so that it's now the excuse du jour for why this moribund, 5-year old redevelopment project continues to stagnate? Remarkably, at an April 2005 BoT meeting when the PILOT was debated, our Village Administrator publicly stated, in response to a question from the audience, that in 1999 he was told by the BoT when hired that bringing a new market to downtown South Orange would be his highest priority. Where else in America can you blow for six years what you've been told is your number one job priority, and be rewarded with a five-year contract and lifetime tenure? And, where do I sign-up? | ||
| Sheena Collum SHU Citizen Username: Sheena_collum Post Number: 178 Registered: 4-2005  |
2 Cents: Your question to Trustee Rosner is tactless. He has been very vocal and you really can't speculate as to what he has or hasn't said in "closed session" where the majority of these discussions take place for the BOT. And if you have issues with the Village admins. tenured position, I don't believe Trustee Rosner is the person to be barking at since he didn't vote in favor of it. Also, there's a meeting this Monday. You bring up some great points - why not bring up your concerns there with the full board instead of going after the one who actually answers questions for us on MOL. | ||
| mrosner Citizen Username: Mrosner Post Number: 2025 Registered: 4-2002 |
Two Sense: I did not oppose giving a PILOT to New Market. As Mr. Murphy pointed out it would not make financial sense for the market to start construction yet. At a meeting last year (planning and zoning committee meeting and reported to the BOT), I suggested that we request shop-rite liquors to be told to vacate by a certain date (as well as the other stores on Vose that needed to move). I was told it was premature and that they would vacate in plenty of time. So whatever the reason, the construction is not going to start before they vacate. There is nothing I can do if you think I am part of the problem for being a messnger via MOL. The point is, a question was asked, I answered and since some did not like the answer I am then criticized. I guess it would be best for me not to respond to questions on MOL. | ||
| gotcha Citizen Username: Gotcha Post Number: 18 Registered: 5-2005 |
Mark, that would be my take on it. Why bother opening yourself up to criticism for being open and forthright? What a reward for offering answers to questions that few others would attempt? Mr. Rosner, MOL doesn't deserve you. | ||
| Two Sense Citizen Username: Twosense Post Number: 245 Registered: 7-2004 |
Jim Murphy: Are the same resources and contractors used to demolish buildings and build a parking deck as those needed to renovate an existing structure? And, other than possibly an on-site construction supervisor, what overlapping resources would be involved, since much of the Shop-Rite renovation responsibility will be the tenant's -- not the developers? We already know that demolition is a standalone operation, since Beifus had Red Ball Demolition take down his building without embarking on any construction. And, observing the construction of new decks in West Orange and Montclair, both developed by government entities, in remarkably shorts timespans, they appeared to be built by highly specialized construction contractors -- using prefabricated concrete floors and walls. Also, in your professional estimation and with or without knowledge of how local government works with new retailers, how long do you think demolition and deck construction will take; and, how long do you think renovation of the Shop-Rite building will take (including build-out for a modern market, new retail space on South Orange Avenue, and artists' lofts above)? mrosner: Has anyone in Village government actually asked the new market tenant, Mr. Choi, if he would like to start renovation, since he publicly expressed enthusiasm about opening before year-end? | ||
| mrosner Citizen Username: Mrosner Post Number: 2027 Registered: 4-2002 |
Two Sense: It was the decision of the developer and Mr. Choi to postpone starting the renovation of the market. |
