Friday, August 5, 2016

East Second Street Study Hearing Aug. 18

A troubled East End neighborhood is moving closer to the renewal promised about eight years ago.

The Planning Board reviewed a study Thursday that is a major step in the redevelopment process. Conducted by Nishuane Group, the study measured every property on East Second Street between Leland and Johnston avenues against state criteria for redevelopment and found many examples of  obsolescence and neglect. The neighborhood is in the Urban Enterprise Zone, which alone can be a determinant for redevelopment.

Still, Planning Director Bill Nierstedt said the neighborhood had come a long way since the push for renewal began. It has a very active community group and now has a new road, sidewalks and curbs. A dilapidated former meat market has been demolished and a developer is seeking approvals for a new three-story, 20-unit building on the site.

The board had discussed the East Second Street Neighborhood Commercial District in July, but Nierstedt asked the Planning Board members to visit the site in person before voting on the study. A public hearing on the study will be held at the Aug. 18 board meeting, 7:30 p.m. in City Hall Library, 515 Watchung Ave., after which the board may vote to accept the study and forward it to the City Council. The council may then request the board to prepare a redevelopment plan.

With interest in Plainfield growing, Nierstedt told the board to expect three more studies and two redevelopment plans by the end of the year. In addition, 20 applications are pending.

"There's a lot going on," he said.

--Bernice

12 comments:

  1. No !!

    Stop gentrification and keep its Historic Look !

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The alternative being what? Keeping the trashed up, vacant look? The only problem with this study is that it comes relatively late; after the auction of city-owned lots at Netherwood and E. 2nd, and after Steve Cheung bought and leveled the derelict market at Garfield. Better late than never! This is a project the City could always wrap its arms around and substantially revitalize the entire surrounding neighborhood. Anonymous, does the "Historic Look" include re-erecting the unsightly billboards?

      Delete
  2. Yuk - We don't need a 20 unit building in this neighborhood, just clean it up!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Anon 9:22 - I agree, we don't need any progress here. I say we reverse the progress that has been made - let's bring back the horse and carriage while we are at it.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Horse and carriage would be lovely! If only....

    ReplyDelete
  5. There is no "historic look" at that East 2nd Street location. Clearly the person who said that doesn't live over here. Rev. Dean and the East 2nd group have been working on revitalization for a while and finally something is happening. Every building that goes up doesn't mean gentrification.

    ReplyDelete
  6. You are right !!

    Gentrification only means what you want it to mean to suit your own purposes.

    ReplyDelete
  7. The solution is not a simple one, but strategy is clear. The area must be aesthetically pleasing for development to occur then a shift in the social-economic population creates an economic engine for higher retail establishments. We need to move away from Plainfield being a safe haven for those who do not aspire to live in a clean, safe and respectable city.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Who are these people that have no aspiration of living in a clean, safe, respectable city? What would you suggest we do with them once identified?

      Delete
    2. Those who loiter, throw trash into the curb, don't maintain their property, are not considerate of their neighbors by playing loud music while piled into a car like a gang of street cats -- unfortunately, I don't have an answer as to what to do with them as most options would be illegal; however, we can try and wish them away or bring in development that would spread them out and dilute their presence and make them less noticeable and impactful as a whole. How's that?

      Delete
    3. These people are -The people who live in this city who care nothing about keeping their neighborhood clean and safe. The people who don't seem to care about education for our children. The people who do not get involved in community to help make Plainfield a better place. The people who do not care about Plainfield period. Frankly, I wouldn't do a thing with them, I just want them to leave.

      Delete
    4. Anon 11:47am. We should not tolerate the desecration of our city. Quality of life issues must be enforced by the police and heavy fines for home owners who refuse to subscribe to a basic standard of property upkeep. I take the train everyday and the smell of urine and seeing people drinking alcohol and stretched out on the grass at the Plainfield station is unacceptable there is no respect for our city.

      Delete