| Author | Message | ||
     shh Citizen Username: Shh Post Number: 1935 Registered: 5-2001 |
I think Ffof hit the nail on the head. A movie theater would bring people into the area. I remember growing up going into a neighborhood we normally wouldn't just because of the movies. | ||
| Tom Carlson Citizen Username: Tomcarlson Post Number: 88 Registered: 7-2002 |
Judging from the discussion here and the ink in today’s News-Record, I’d say Maplewood’s new Economic Development Action Plan is already successful. It is barely a week old and it has jump-started an energetic dialog. I would make these important observations about the report:
With this backdrop I suggest everyone read the report. Vic DeLuca is right: this is the beginning, not the end. It is the stepping-off point to tangible economic development in Maplewood. Significant things will start to happen. It’s time for everyone to participate so we get it right. | ||
| Miss L Toe Citizen Username: Miss_l_toe Post Number: 118 Registered: 10-2003 |
ffof: There is a thread on Millburnweb where someone said that in New Hampshire there are a couple of cinema-pubs called "Chunkys". Apparently you sit in the driver's or passenger seat of a Lincoln town car and you can eat a meal there...and over 21's can have a beer whilst reclining back in the seat and watching a movie. I can imagine it being a bit like the diner in 'Pulp Fiction' but with a cinema screen as well. It's an interesting concept and would go down a storm in this area. There's info about it on their website (look at 'News' and the FAQs: http://www.chunkys.com  | ||
| extuscan Citizen Username: Extuscan Post Number: 394 Registered: 6-2001 |
I think I hit the nail on the head when I said that we should ease the zoning requirements... " think Ffof hit the nail on the head. A movie theater would bring people into the area. I remember growing up going into a neighborhood we normally wouldn't just because of the movies. " Did you know that movie theaters are not permitted in Maplewood?!?!?! The one we have is grandfathered. Maybe Springfield Ave would already have a movie theater if we didn't have such restrictive zoning. John | ||
| mtierney Citizen Username: Mtierney Post Number: 694 Registered: 3-2001 |
Dave: "These are peoples homes. There's more than a cash value associated with them." Exactly the point many of us made during the reval - seniors who didn't want to move who were slammed with taxes they couldn't afford. The "take the money and run" crowd showed little compassion at that time for those whose homes meant everything to them. | ||
| yabbadabbadoo Citizen Username: Yabbadabbadoo Post Number: 184 Registered: 11-2003  |
Campaign 2005 has begun!! FF | ||
| canismajor Citizen Username: Canismajor Post Number: 300 Registered: 7-2001 |
The Plan deftly skirts the Irvington proximity problem. It's an intractable problem at the heart of the Springfield Ave. malaise, yet Irvington isn't even mentioned until page 9 of the report. The comparisons to Livingston and Cranford are really laughable, as neither town is hampered by being next door to a city with a gang problem so bad that the state police had to be called in. Springfield Ave in MW has held the line pretty well while during Irvington's slide into the crapper, but to suggest that an Outback or a Johnny Rockets will ever want to set up shop on SA, even with the eventual new police station nearby, is ludicrous. For once I agree with Straw-I think that the Mayor should get a refund on this plan. How much more is the town going to spend on studies that overlook the obvious? | ||
| ajc Citizen Username: Ajc Post Number: 3328 Registered: 9-2001 |
"Campaign 2005 has begun!!" It's beginning to look that way... I wonder who's running? Vic? Jerry? | ||
| Valley_girl Citizen Username: Valley_girl Post Number: 3 Registered: 12-2004 |
In Manhattan, all you have to do to gentrify a neighborhood is open a restaurant. So much the better if you have to go through a bad area to get there. People can't wait! Next you open a funky little card store next door, so they have an excuse to stick around afterwards. And voila--the game is on! So maybe instead of spending all this money on studies and commissions, all we have to do is get that seedy little strip club on Springfield to start serving polenta! | ||
| Cynicalgirl Citizen Username: Cynicalgirl Post Number: 992 Registered: 9-2003  |
I've been trying to use and using more businesses on SA, chiefly because I hate Rte 22 (have been on it twice in about 2 years); I drive the distance to rte 10 when I need 22-like business. Too, it's easier to pick up a fast takeout dinner on SA than in Maplewood! I'd love it if some more non-chi-chi businesses opened up (a True Value/Ace hardware store or similar). The thing about chains as opposed ot mom 'n pop is that they have built in rep -- very important when trying to lure people to an area with an iffy reputation. If there's such a worry about crime/car theft, wouldn't enhanced police/security guys be part of the recommendations? I don't have to have on-street parking to use SA, but what lots there are are hard to find, dark and a little scarey.. | ||
| nan Citizen Username: Nan Post Number: 1611 Registered: 2-2001 |
There used to be a GREAT locally hardware store on SA. I can't remember the name now. It was better than True Value/ACE. It went out of business when Home Depot opened. It was very sad. | ||
| Cynicalgirl Citizen Username: Cynicalgirl Post Number: 993 Registered: 9-2003 |
Old Navy (mixed income audience), hardware store (same), Borders (or similar), Staples, Outback on SA and you've just brought a minimum of $500 from my household to SA, monthly. | ||
| Cynicalgirl Citizen Username: Cynicalgirl Post Number: 994 Registered: 9-2003 |
We go to Buncher's when we need a mom 'n pop (which is most of the time) and HD for other. I just mentioned Tru Value and Ace because I think they are franchises where the local owner typically customizes to suit neighbor's needs. I mentioned Old Navy because they seem to attract a mixed income crowd -- not as pricey as Gap. And, by Staples, I mean some kinda decent sized stationery, computer supplies etc. store for kid art project stuff, PC supplies, etc. I guess I'm thinking of types/sizes of stores I might go to Essex Green, or certain strips of Rte 10. Certainly I would use an independent verison -- just being realistic. And, sorry! but I really like Outback for family dining out that involves beef. We use Trattoria and Roman Gourmet, diner on Maplewood Ave and one on SA. Applebees OK but not as desired. I think many of us are sheep, however cool we are, and shopping has a cyclical pattern. Yeah, when an HD or similar opens everyone goes like Lemmings to it. Then, it gets crowded, and suddenly people wish there were something smaller, closer, for every day. I think the True VAlue's and Ace's fill that gap -- while giving the owner/operator the buying power associated with chains to help keep prices down. The other thing about chains, alas and alack, is that often they are clean well-lighted places. A lot of the sub shops and pizza joints I've ventured to beyond the Net Nomads zone are a bit dirty, a bit seedy, awnings and signage rather beat. This is off-putting. I try to try them anyway, but sometimes I just don't feel brave enough to persist (after parking in some nasty, dark little lot off a side street). | ||
| peter seaford Citizen Username: Emet Post Number: 2 Registered: 10-2004 |
Being new to town I don't understand why people are being so protective of the status quo on Srpringfield Ave. and the surrounding areas. As someone with sort of an outsider's view, the whole section seems, well, marginal to me at best. Very unimpressive. As for our taxes, need one elaborate on why the status quo on that front isn't appealing? Former Mayor DeLuca's statment that Maplewood has historically valued independent stores may be true. But the new reality of retail is that millions of dollars are being spent by our residents outside of town. The report says so. And we who live here and constantly have to run elsewhere for the things we need know so. Does anyone really think that independent boutiques and restaurants will fully line the Ave.? They have their place in a few pedestrian oriented sections. But what about the rest of the area? We are talking about a huge amount of property. As I understand it, the second redevelopment zone contains only commercial and industrial zoned property. The homes that are included for consideration in the second redevelopment zone aren't even allowed by our current zoning. All traffic and other impacts will have to be worked out when the town really comes up with a redevelopment plan. Yes, the conversation should continue. Nobody said it shouldn't. Can someone clue me in on why DeLuca is such a nay sayer? As someone who is running for relection you would think that he would want to support increasing ratables to reduce the tax burden on residents and making sensible improvements to our quality of life here. | ||
| Glenn Citizen Username: El_duderino Post Number: 510 Registered: 2-2004  |
Peter, You are right on about the residents of Maplewood travelling outside town borders for the majority of their shopping. I'd like to see a forward-thinking approach to SA, not have the president of the Springfield Avenue Partnership resist change because of outdated "traditions" of the past. As for proximity to Irvington, well, there's not much we can do about that short of moving the earth. We can, however, proceed to make our town as nice as possible. One good restaurant, a clothing store or two, especially outlets for children's needs, and SA could become a destination, not just a thoroughfare... And while these conversation should continue, is there any reason why some of the more sensible proposals in the plan shouldn't be immediately acted upon? | ||
| mjc Citizen Username: Mjc Post Number: 99 Registered: 10-2004 |
nan, Yes, Maplecrest Hardware on SA (a True Value affiliate, I think) was a gem, but even with their extra services, there's no way they could compete with HD's hours and prices so nearby. Some of the staff turned up at Epstien's in Orange, which is a great old-fashioned h/w store, maybe a little light on construction materials, but carries all the h/w basics, a ton of repair items very useful in our older houses, cleaning supplies, some housewares, etc. Very welcoming and helpful, and I believe they deliver, too. (end of testimonial) happy weekend! MC | ||
| claire Citizen Username: Claire Post Number: 79 Registered: 6-2001 |
I want Trader Joe's to come to SA | ||
| Dave Moderator Username: Dave Post Number: 4734 Registered: 4-1998  |
Ditto! That's a business that could clean up here. | ||
| themp Citizen Username: Themp Post Number: 1301 Registered: 12-2001 |
How about someplace that sells burnable CDs, computer cables, etc? | ||
| mjc Citizen Username: Mjc Post Number: 101 Registered: 10-2004 |
claire - Trader Joe's themp - Gio Tech on S.O. Ave., between Town Hall (actual Town Hall, not the former deli) and Blockbuster. Parking in back. |
