A development proposal for the PNC block has resurfaced in expanded form and will be heard by the Planning Board on Sept. 2.
For more than a year, the proposal has included 100 apartments and 11,500 square feet of retail/commercial space. But a legal notice today (Saturday, Aug. 21) proposes 148 residential units and 12,300 square feet of retail commercial space, with parking for 132 vehicles.
Formerly called West Second Street Commons, it is now called West Second Street Urban Renewal LLC. In March 2009, Plaintalker reported on this description by former City Administrator Marc Dashield:
The most ambitious project announced Tuesday is the “West Second Commons,” apparently to take place on the so-called North Avenue Extension behind the PNC Bank building. Dashield said 100 rental units and 11,500 square feet of retail space are proposed. The PNC Bank now at the corner of Park Avenue and East Second Street would relocate to the new complex. The current PNC Bank building would become a “hospitality operation,” Dashield said, with lounges in the former bank vaults.
The current application includes a portion of the North Avenue Historic District and the historic Titsworth Sutphen House. The project is one of several in the city that are subsidiaries of Landmark Developers of Jersey City. Developer Frank Cretella recently announced at another Planning Board meeting that he had received HMFA financing for the West Second project.
Cretella will be seeking preliminary and final site plan approvals at the Planning Board meeting to be held at 8 p.m. on Sept. 2 in City Hall Library.
--Bernice Paglia
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Let’s see now, 148 apartments, 132 spots for parking. Less than one to one and lets not forget the retail. Where are consumers going to park? We all can know we can’t use parking deck that is right in the middle of our down town, I’ve been told that the customers of the stores will walk 2 blocks from the other parking lots. I don’t think so. This is not the mall. We must offer more than the malls not less. Unless we all agree that we need more dollar stores.
ReplyDeleteAnd of course none of the new residents will have children because our schools are run as well as it is. When will this administration understand that housing doesn't add revenue to the town businesses do. Big business will not come to a town when there is no space large enough and someone may get shot.
Smart development is needed in this town not more of no tax revenue buildings that don’t bring in affluent clientele.
I don't see anything regarding the parking situation. It is horrendous now . . . imagine what it will be like if people actually have reasons to be downtown! At least the daylaborers only take up sidewalk space.
ReplyDeletei agree about parking downtown, its terrible. How are people suppose to use the stores, if they can't get there?
ReplyDeleteGo to Scotch Plains where parking is FREE and Abundant. It is not as large as Plainfield, but there are no worries about $60 parking tickets unless you are blocking a hydrant or something else stupid! Anyone else out there remember Thursday Night as a night out strolling downtown Plainfield with the family in tow?
ReplyDeleteIve seen the plans, and aside from the parking shortage, its a nice project. It is hoped that it will attract a car free clientele to some of the units. One big bonus is that it is all market rate housing, no affordables.
ReplyDeleteThis is great for Plainfield. Let us be supportive of someone investing funds into this City in an area that really needs it. Good luck to Frank with his application on the 2nd.
ReplyDelete