This small city-owned lot at West Second Street and Madison Avenue is nearly obscured right now by PSE&G equipment for
substation improvements, but it has also been eyed for two development concepts.
One proposal calls for residential development on that lot and a larger city-owned lot on the same block. The other involves a green market.brew pub/distillery on the same lots. Neither has passed the conceptual stage.
Plaintalker was surprised to learn recently that large building to the left of the lot above, was sold last year to Landmark Developers, which had designated as the
site of the proposed brew pub. The corner lot above is where Landmark proposed relocating the historic
Sutphen House, which must be moved to make way for another Landmark project, West Second Commons, which was approved in 2010 for 148 apartments and commercial uses.
The conveyance of the two lots to the Housing Authority stalled after initial passage when the City Council lacked a consensus in September to move it to the agenda for final passage.
No development is likely until PSE&G completes the substation upgrade, which was mandated by
grid operator PJM. The two substations in Plainfield have reached the end of their useful lives. The work is expected to completed by the fourth quarter of 2015.
Robert Graham, a real estate agent known as "Mr. Plainfield," sold the building at 308 West Second Street to Landmark in October 2013, he announced on a Facebook page. Graham is also a member of the city's Zoning Board of Adjustment.
So there are three potential stories for this block bordered by West Front Street, Madison Avenue, West Second Street and Central Avenue. The PSE&G upgrade is taking place and is very important for the city's future. Whether the block becomes the site of
residential development or becomes a destination for the new enterprise of a brew pub and
distillery, those are tales yet to be told.
--Bernice
Lets see...businesses to increase the commercial tax base of the city easing the pain on the tax payers of the community or ANOTHER city owned housing project with no commercial tax advantages to the city just some friends of Jerry's Kids on City Council pocketing tax payer money ... I think it's a slam dunk which way it'll go.. unless they suddenly developed a conscience.
ReplyDeleteAppliance Arama is closing. Signs are in store windows. This business brought many to the downtown. Best of luck to Appliance Arama employees.
ReplyDeleteI've always looked at those top floor windows of the building in your second photo and thought what a wonderful loft apartment that could be! Actually, craft beers are very in these days. A brew pub might actually work. Well, the brewery part. I doubt I'd be wandering around looking to drink beer there!
ReplyDeleteAppliance Arama closed. My name is Victor. I used to work there. I went to work for SeeMore. They have opened a new store in Plainfield 908 312 3808 1320 South Avenue Plainfield. Same great prices 3 1/2% tax
ReplyDelete