Sunday, January 1, 2012

2011, A Year for Renters?

About half of Plainfield's residents are renters, a group often tagged as transitory and not really engaged in the life of the city, compared to property owners. A goal of the last comprehensive strategic plan to uplift Plainfield was to reduce the number of renters by 10 percent. Yet in 2011, the city's largest recent development, The Monarch, converted from condos to rentals; the company that owns most of the downtown rehabilitated two buildings for tenant occupancy; and the developer with seven projects on the books completed one with four apartments.

The Monarch grabbed headlines while it was planned for a brand-new senior center with 63 condos on three upper floors. When sales stagnated, the building at 400 East Front Street quietly began filling up with "lease-to-buy" occupants. The situation upset not only those who actually bought condos, but also the terms on which the  initial deal was based. Opening a veterans' center in the building hinged on completion of sales of all units. While talks continue between the city and the developer on the new situation, the veterans' center appears to be in limbo.

Over on Park Avenue, Paramount converted the upper floors of two commercial buildings to apartments. The facades, including some interesting stonework, were stuccoed over for a uniform look. Approvals for the project included the provision of parking in a nearby municipal lot - wonder how that is working out.

Developer Frank Cretella, with his various fancifully-named companies, is also contributing to the increase of rental units. One opened in 2011 next to PNC Bank and more are planned on the bank block, including 100 new apartments and 48 condos for which Cretella received approval for a "payment in lieu of taxes" agreement to facilitate financing. The new apartments are in a building Cretella dubbed "Certified Green Property One" at 212-216 Park Avenue, in the North Avenue Historic District.

These changes prompted Plaintalker to publicize that state booklet that details rights of tenants and landlords, "Truth in Renting."  Not only do new tenants in 2012 need to know their rights, all 7,000-plus renters in Plainfield should review their rights and responsibilities, as should their landlords. Tenants of the city's former largest landlord, Connolly Properties, found themselves dealing with rent receivership companies in 2011 as the properties went on the market following legal action against Connolly. Many longtime tenants are now dealing with new landlords and need to establish a new footing based on their rights. If you "occupy" an apartment, be ready to protest in 2012 if necessary!

--Bernice

4 comments:

  1. What's funny is that many property owners don't live in the city, and are more transient than renters. They have no stake in the city, which is why they let their properties go to pot. As long as they get their rent, it doesn't impact them.

    I'd love to see more residents of Plainfield become landlords, and be available and real to their renters.

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  2. I agree with Nathan! 100%. In my square block there are 17 homes, 5 are owned by absentee landlords. Here is one question:

    While "developers" get tax abates, landlords do not, and with the lack of Plainfield's political, financial and school stability what is the incentive for residents to become Plainfield's landlords?

    Maria Pellum

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  3. As a renter, who is also my district Democratic Committee Member, I take great umbrage at being considered "transitional". I've lived in apartments in Plainfield for 30 years and only snobs who can afford a home would think this. When I first moved to 735 Park Ave. in 1992 there were tenants here who had lived in this building since it was opened in 1950. I have many voters in my building and in the primary as many people from my building and others in my area voted as did those living in homes. Plainfield needs to get real and start getting renters involved in the process, since we all have a stake in a healthy, safe Plainfield.

    We do give too many tax breaks and the City never gets its money's worth, so that has to change. If not, the tax payers keep getting ripped-off. Let's see what happens in 2012.

    Bob Bolmer

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  4. The elephant in the room whether renter, owner or commuter to a job in Plainfield --- SAFE.

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