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doublea
Citizen
Username: Doublea
Post Number: 299
Registered: 3-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 17, 2003 - 1:08 pm: | 
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From the September 2004 Gaslight (check out the date- 2004 is what it says on p.4):
"Pending trustee approval, construction will
start in October."
I am really trying to cool it, but why does the Village administration continue to give us this misinformation. Just this past Monday, at the BOT meeting, upon questioning John Gross said it was "not impossible" that construction might start in the Spring. C'mon people, stuff like this isn't helping. Unless you're assuming that the majority of S.O. residents just don't care or will accept what they're told.
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mrosner
Citizen
Username: Mrosner
Post Number: 619
Registered: 4-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 17, 2003 - 1:56 pm: |
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doublea: I am really not trying to defend the process or the comments, but I will offer an explanation.
The timing of getting a project approved has several steps. The gaslight requested information and tries to anticipate (there is no input into the gaslight from the BOT). At the time the Gaslight was being prepared, it was anticipated that the BOT would have a developer's agreement to review at last weeks' meeting.
The question at the meeting was worded in a way to clarify that we did not have a definitive date yet. He did not say that it is not possible to still start this October.
Mr. Beifus is hoping to have his developer's agreement completed in the next month so that he might yet get started this fall.
As a trustee, I am not about to approve a developers' agreement just to meet a guesstimate as to the construction date. When the negotiations are finished the BOT will review and discuss. There might be changes requested (by the BOT) which would hold an approval up for a couple of weeks.
I actually assume the majority do care and I would hope they understand that with a large construction project there can be delays. In this case I feel we are working with someone who has not shown the same sense of urgency that I have. The property was neglected for years and it took him just as long to get a plan before the planning board. This is his project and he is moving at a pace he is comfortable with. He is going to be making a major investment and he wants to be sure that everything is right from his end too.
I hope this helps,
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doublea
Citizen
Username: Doublea
Post Number: 300
Registered: 3-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 17, 2003 - 1:58 pm: |
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Thanks Mark. |
mayhewdrive
Citizen
Username: Mayhewdrive
Post Number: 392
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 17, 2003 - 6:51 pm: |
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Mark,
I know you don't & can't speak for the whole BOT, but why in the Feb 20, 2003 News Record was the following:
"I spoke with Mr. Beifus two weeks ago. He expects to start building in March," village President Bill Calabrese said.
This quote was provided in late February. Based on the timeframe we are seeing to complete a developer's agreement, how could this statement been made in good faith, when it is now CLEAR that a developer's agreement didn't yet exist (even in draft form) at that time.
Just like the "credibility gap" we are seeing in Washington, people are tired of being misled and it makes it heard to now believe anything that is said by such people.
What can be done to ensure accurate information is provided? I'm afraid the result is going to be that now NO real information will provided (i.e. "we're working on it", so people cannot be held accountable later) |
Dan Shelffo
Citizen
Username: Openspacer
Post Number: 62
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 17, 2003 - 10:24 pm: |
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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.''
Date: 1991/05/12 Sunday Page: Section: NEWS Edition: FINAL Size: 0 words
CROWDED FIELD IGNITES HEATED RACE IN S. ORANGE
KEVIN C. DILWORTH
''Whether it's on the west side of South Orange (Kernan's Quarry), the east side of the village (Seton Hall) or the central business district (the Third Street site where ShopRite supermarket wanted to build a store), only we have the record of consistently defending all the village's neighborhoods,'' said Calabrese,
''Unlike our opponents, we are not captive to special interests,'' added Calabrese.
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CageyD
Citizen
Username: Cageyd
Post Number: 10
Registered: 6-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, September 18, 2003 - 2:40 pm: |
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Mr. Rosner, as desperate as I am - we all are - to see Biefus developed - will there be any stores in the bottom level? I know there are "plans" but it seems that we have plenty of empty retail space now, is there any reason to believe that once Beifus is built there will be a store (s) in the lower spaces or just "coming soon" signs. Is there anyone in Town Hall who is actively recruiting businesses in SO and if so why are there no takers? I see development in Mplwd, W ORange, E. Orange, Montclair and yet beautiful SO with high average income, etc. etc. can't get a decent store to move in. What gives? Thanks |
Silvio Dante
Citizen
Username: Silviodante
Post Number: 4
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, September 18, 2003 - 5:00 pm: |
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Danny,
C'mon...open a you eyes. He *has* defended all neighboroods, see:
Seton Hall - they get a nice tax protection
Third Street - they get a nice sound barrier to a block a the noise from the train (it also acts as large 200 unit apartment building)
West Side - you got a lots of a trees eliminated. You probably never have to rake again.
See? What a guy! Fuggedaboudit! |
mrosner
Citizen
Username: Mrosner
Post Number: 620
Registered: 4-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, September 20, 2003 - 4:37 pm: |
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Cageyd: The plans call for about 11,700 sq. feet of retail space. Some of the store owners who are currently operating businesses would take exception to your comment (i.e. Urban Femme, Candle Shop, Stone Cold, Dancing Goat).
Part of the problem has been the quality of the current space that is available. There has been very little demand east of Scotland Road/Valley Street as well as on Valley street itself. The closer to Sloan Street, the quicker the spaces disappear. There has been considerable interest for the space at Beifus and I would guess that once construction is started, Mr. Beifus will have no problem renting out the retail space. A lot of prospective business owners only want new space and not all like the charm of an older building when having to deal with some day to day problems (lousy wiring, old plumbing, leaking roofs, etc).
Main Street's exec. Director does actively recruit and we are looking into the possibility of hiring someone through a Downtown management corp.
Of course, the village can bring a potential business to a landlord but they have to agree on a rent, etc.
As for other towns, Maplewood has had some success on Springfield Ave, but notthing like Maplewood Ave which clearly attracts the nicer stores but notice they are mostly smaller independents and not chains. I have not seen any new stores in E. Orange. W. Orange has had significant trouble finding storeowners in certain business sections and is talking about creating a redevelopment zone because of the problem.
Montclair currently has the highest percentage of empty stores although not on the major shopping streets.
Currently the seafood market/restaurant is working hard towards opening soon, Niecy's has been under construction as is Papillion (Joint venture with Yanicks and the liquor store). Town Hall Deli has a new owner who is planning on sprucing up the space this winter (he plans to keep the "original sloppy joe").
I think you might be hoping for more retail (clothing, book store, kitchen supply, etc) or chains. Those might come with time, but as long as most people prefer to shop at a mall, it will be a battle to get some of those stores.
Mayhewdrive: I don't know why Bill C thought construction was going to start in the spring. We had hoped the building was going to come down last March as a first step and that did not happen until May.
It is possible for him to start this fall and he has stated that as his goal. Of course, this means he is ready to seriously work on the developers agreement. Estimated construction time is 12 - 14 months. |
CageyD
Citizen
Username: Cageyd
Post Number: 11
Registered: 6-2003
| | Posted on Monday, September 22, 2003 - 1:16 pm: |
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M Rosner, THanks for the feedback. |
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