| Author | Message | ||
     mayhewdrive Citizen Username: Mayhewdrive Post Number: 465 Registered: 5-2001 |
While we are hearing "construction to start Jan 1" on SOPAC, I haven't heard any public updates on Beifus and the Supermarket lately. Can someone please provide an update on what is the status (other than we are "in negotiations") of those projects and when we can expect to see realistic progress happening? Thanks. | ||
| patjoyce Citizen Username: Patjoyce Post Number: 32 Registered: 7-2001 |
I do not think there is an update. The BOT is waiting to receive a proposed developer's agreement from the Beifus site owners. Although these negotiations reportedly began in the summer, the BOT has not received a meaningful first offer from the developer. The same can be said regarding the Shop-Rite site. I have suggested my displeasure with the re-development committee and the lack of progress. I think the Village should restructure the committee so that certain members of the BOT can be directly involved. Patrick | ||
| alison Citizen Username: Alison Post Number: 65 Registered: 6-2002 |
from Pat Joyce: "The BOT is waiting to receive a proposed developer's agreement from the Beifus site owners. Although these negotiations reportedly began in the summer, the BOT has not received a meaningful first offer from the developer. The BOT is waiting to receive a proposed developer's agreement from the Beifus site owners. THE SAME CAN BE SAID REGARDING THE SHOP-RITE SITE." How does this square with all the conversations that have been going on for years about this site? Or why over the years every other business group/architect who came in with plans for a market on that site felt their presentation was not being given any fair consideration?" Very strange, indeed. | ||
| mrosner Citizen Username: Mrosner Post Number: 730 Registered: 4-2002 |
alison: Please let me know the name of any deveoper/business group/architect who wanted to make a presentation and might not have been given fair consideration. This is the second time I have heard this statement, yet nobody seems to actually be able to give a name. Rather than deal with a rumor, I would love to contact the person(s) myself. Feel free to send me an email if you think it should be done privately. | ||
| singlemalt Citizen Username: Singlemalt Post Number: 70 Registered: 12-2001 |
Who approved the tearing down of the Beifus property without a plan to do something with it once it came down? More demolition with SOPAC without a start date for construction (oh yeah, when the weather gets better.... LOLOLOLOL). Downtown South Orange is an embarrassment and looks like ####. Yes Mr. Rosner - we elected you with the responsibility of cleaning it up. How long have you held your position and what ratables do you have to show for it? All I see going up are more rentals and condos. | ||
| mrosner Citizen Username: Mrosner Post Number: 734 Registered: 4-2002 |
Singlemalt: Nice language. Although since it is directed at an elected official it will probably be allowed. The plans for Beifus were approved by the planning board last November. Did you forget that? Then he submitted them to the county while tearing down the building. As Trustee Joyce pointed out he now needs a developers agreement. They have held off doing the demoition at SOPAC until the construction is ready to begin. Trustee Rosen announced a start date for construction. Rentals and Condos represent ratables. I guess you meant commercial ratables. | ||
| Dave Ross Supporter Username: Dave Post Number: 5533 Registered: 4-1998  |
That's a 2-day ban for singlemalt. | ||
| Shelley Stile Citizen Username: Sstile Post Number: 34 Registered: 12-2002 |
My take on Beifus and New Market are don't hold your breath! Beifus has yet to re-submit his developer's agreement and before anything can be done that issue must be settled. If and when that occurs, then he can start but remember, he legaly has 2 full years from the date of the sale before he has to do anything! As far as New Market, again there is no final developer'a agreement and now the big issue of the environmewntal cleanup. That last issue is still under negotiation by our Village Administrator and Village Attorney and we know how we got into this mess in the first place...via negotiations with our Village Administrator and Attorney!!!! I don't believe we will see that development for a long time. Get redevelopment out of the hands of Bill, Ed and John and perhaps you will see some progress...and progress that won't negatively impact the Village. | ||
| Dan Shelffo Citizen Username: Openspacer Post Number: 80 Registered: 6-2001 |
Date: 1997/06/08 Sunday Page: 037 Section: ESSEX Edition: ESSEX Size: 566 words S. Orange hopes quaint charm, downtown makeover will boost business ''There is a goal South Orange is after,'' Calabrese said. ''This board is picking and choosing what they think will be best for the village and its downtown revitalization and economic growth.'' | ||
| Dave Ross Supporter Username: Dave Post Number: 5770 Registered: 4-1998 |
I guess they picked empty barren lots of charred brick, smashed mortar and broken glass encased in chainlink fences that fall over when a good gust hits them. | ||
| Howard Levison Citizen Username: Levisonh Post Number: 20 Registered: 10-2003 |
What is all the fuss about "Developers Agreements"? The Pulte quarry project is deep into development and there is NO Developers Agreement! Also, I cannot believe that with all the work that has been done on the site, there are only two permits - to put in a foundation on one of the Harding Drive sites and to provide power to the trailer. The Planning Board included the 10-acre wetlands in the openspace inventory presented last evening. It was my understanding that we were waiting for the Developers Agreement to define how Village would obtain access to this property. Including the property without access is meaningless. | ||
| mrosner Citizen Username: Mrosner Post Number: 816 Registered: 4-2002 |
Shelley: While not debating anything you posted, just want to correct that technically Beifus did submit a developer's agreement a couple of months ago, but he does still need to work out a final agreement (re: one that is acceptable to the village). It is beyond my understanding what the New Market developers are waiting for. All the time and money spent to get plans appoved by the planning board and then they disappear. No comment on who is at fault. Howard: I think last night they reviewed a draft plan for the openspace inventory. The 10 acres would be included at one point. Access evidently has nothing to do with the inventory (look at other towns). In fact sometimes the town does not even own property that is in their openspace plan. Pulte had approval from the planning board in an area outside the redevelopment zone so they did not need a developer's agreement. If Beifus and New Market did not want a PILOT, the agreements would be done already. | ||
| CageyD Citizen Username: Cageyd Post Number: 54 Registered: 6-2003 |
I have made this point before..while our trustees and other administrators make excuses and cite various agreements that need to be arranged Orange and East Orange, West Orange, SPringfield Avenue in Mplwd have all had significant and meaningful commercial development/improvement. The fact is that our pharmacist/president and other do-gooders/trustees are complete amatures when it comes to town planning and development. If they had a shred of dignity, they would step down realizing that they are in way over their heads and are damaging the town that they claim to love. | ||
| J. Crohn Citizen Username: Jcrohn Post Number: 720 Registered: 3-2003 |
I'm afraid I'm beginning to agree with CageyD. | ||
| Tribble Citizen Username: Tribble Post Number: 1 Registered: 12-2003 |
Here's a thought. The heck with town officials offering further excuses for clean-up delays. Have a weekend where all concerned people from the town march into Shop-Rite and clean up the place. Scrape it all off, sweep it up and cart it away. I'm sure the local press would like a story like that. Heck I'll personally buy and hand out the first 100 rubber gloves and dust masks myself. Naive? Probably. Dangerous? Probably. Impossible? Who says? Anything to replace talk (theirs and ours) with action. Anything to replace community shame with pride. Anything to simply move on... | ||
| CageyD Citizen Username: Cageyd Post Number: 56 Registered: 6-2003 |
Tribble, you arrange it and I'll be there!  | ||
| Dave Ross Supporter Username: Dave Post Number: 5779 Registered: 4-1998 |
I have heard there's 6 feet of water in the basement. Might need a few buckets, scuba equipment and steel braces in case the whole place caves in. | ||
| mayhewdrive Citizen Username: Mayhewdrive Post Number: 582 Registered: 5-2001 |
Asbestos & 6 feet of water? Hmmm...might want to have Tribble throw in a few hazmat suits, too. | ||
| pan Citizen Username: Pan Post Number: 51 Registered: 8-2001 |
Tribble and CageyD, You wouldn't want to work exposed to the asbestos that is all over inside the building, or to be arrested for tresspassing. However, if you arrange a downtown traffic-stopping march with a rally at Meadowlands or Spiotta Park, you will attract more media than the local press, you will alert the rest of the S.O. residents who are asleep, you will put to shame the BOT (if that's possible), you will probably get some action in reorganizing the administrator/CFO/treasurer and counsel scam, and you will maybe get the interest of some investigative journalism. I'd be there. pan | ||
| CageyD Citizen Username: Cageyd Post Number: 57 Registered: 6-2003 |
Tribble I'm with Pan - let's storm the Bastille (Village Hall)! |
