A sheriff’s sale on unsold units at Riverwalk originally scheduled last month has been postponed until April 11. Redevelopment Agency attorney Frank Regan briefed commissioners on the sale at their meeting last month.
Tag Archives: downtown
Chagrined by Chateau’s density, lack of retail
The high density, absence of retail space and narrow sidewalks are among the primary concerns with the Meridia Chateau proposal, according to an analysis by the Redevelopment Agency.Continue reading Chagrined by Chateau’s density, lack of retail
Poll results: two clear leaders for retail options
Almost 100 votes in our latest poll and two clear leaders finished ahead, with a pretty close third, among the 10 options:
What store would you like to see downtown?
Specialty food store — 23 percent, 21/91
Bakery/bagel shop — 21 percent, 20/91
Coffee shop — 16 percent, 15/91
Liquor store/wine shop — 8 percent, 8/91
Butcher — 8 percent, 8/91
Bar/restaurant — 7 percent, 7/91
Other — 6 percent, 6/91
Books/news/magazines — 4 percent, 4/91
Art/art supply — 2 percent, 2/91
Clothing — 0 percent, 0/91
Furniture — 0 percent, 0/91
So, it looks like you all want a specialty food store, bakery/bagel shop, and coffee shop the most. While most of you seem to want a grocery store, a specialty food store could be an interesting draw. Any suggestions exactly? I would think it’s key to have shops that might not be found elsewhere, and that could mean “specialty” just about anything.
Most of the choices in our latest poll could very well be combined into the same shop; a bakery that has bagels, and a nice coffee house space, and maybe specialty foods? Of course, just recently there was a bakery/pastry shop downtown but it didn’t last; so is it a matter of people saying they want something, but practically speaking, not using or patronizing it? I still think we’re desperate for a good bagel shop downtown, as well as a liquor store/wine shop — and not the kind that were downtown before. A liquor store would make a great complement to BYO restaurants.
What were some of your options for the six “other” votes? It’s clear that readers don’t want a clothing store or furniture store. Kind of surprising to be honest, as was the art/art supply choice. I mean, if it’s an arts town, you’d think and art or art supply shop would work, and in the same vein, perhaps an artsy type of specialty furniture store. Know what I mean? After all, the Rahway Survey (remember that?) recommended a strategy of recruiting retail related to arts and entertainment.
Free free to discuss in the comments below.
Groundbreaking for St. Mary’s senior housing
A groundbreaking ceremony will take place Wednesday morning for a senior housing facility on the Divine Mercy Parish (formerly St. Mary’s) church property. The four-story, 51-unit facility will be built along Esterbrook Avenue, near Central Avenue, where the former St. Mary’s convent once stood. Construction should begin shortly after groundbreaking and is expected to take at least a year.
The convent building was razed about two years ago, and about this time last year, the Zoning Board of Adjustment approved the application. It first was proposed to the City Council in late 2007.
The Jack and Margaret Myers Senior Residence is a Section 202 project for very low-income elderly, with financing from the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Union County Department of Parks and Community Renewal, among others. Domus Corporation is the development arm of the Archdiocese of Newark, which will provide a 40-year Payment In Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) to the city.
The 44,456-square-foot facility is expected to cost $8.9 million and include green building features, such as energy-efficient, fiberglass windows, Energy Star-rated appliance and lighting, high-efficiency heating and cooling equipment, and low-flow water fixtures.
A look inside Hamilton Stage for Performing Arts
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| The rehearsal hall can seat up to 60. |
Work continues on the Hamilton Stage for Performing Arts in anticipation of a grand opening this fall, with an open house preview expected in May as other preview events around the Arts District continue this spring.
Continue reading A look inside Hamilton Stage for Performing Arts
Hotel eyes more meeting space, rooftop bar
Hotel Indigo has plans to re-launch its restaurant, explore the possibility of expanding its meeting space, and finally get its long-anticipated rooftop bar off the ground.Poll: What store would you like to see downtown?
Most people seem to desperately want a grocery store of some kind to come downtown, so much so that I thought it would be worth its own poll question.
Continue reading Poll: What store would you like to see downtown?
Tax break could run as much as $160k/year
The 10-year Payment In Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) for Meridia Water’s Edge will reduce the property tax bill on the rental development by anywhere from about $85,000 to $160,000 annually. Over the next decade, that could mean a minimum savings of $1 million to $1.6 million, and likely much more as taxes rise.