A Timely Serenade

My trip to Fanwood Thursday was capped by catching the perfect tune for the day emanating from the street clock at the train station.

I had to walk close up to hear the chimes over traffic, but under the cerulean sky the song was "On a Clear Day (You Can See Forever)."

After all those gloomy days of snow and rain, I wanted to sing along!

--Bernice

Transit Village Designation Sought

The city is once again pursuing "transit village" designation, with the main train station and the Netherwood station as focal points, planning officials said Thursday.

Transit village talk goes back to 2006 and has surfaced at intervals since with no progress. Last month, Planning Board Chairman Ken Robertson and Planning Director William Nierstedt met with NJ Transit officials to discuss designation, they said. They are now encouraging Mayor Sharon Robinson-Briggs to show a commitment to the process, which has many requirements, including having a transit-related project ready to launch.

The City Council recently approved a payment in lieu of taxes plan that developer Frank Cretella said was necessary to gain financing for his plan to build 148 apartments and commercial space on the PNC Bank block. Nierstedt confirmed Thursday that the West Second Street Commons project, as it is called, would be the needed linchpin for transit village designation.

Here is a link to an overview of the Transit Village program. Linden recently became the 23rd designated transit village in the state. Click here to read about it.

In the early days of the mayor's first term, there was a notion of having four "transit villages." However, the designation goes to the city, not to train stations. The mayor wanted to restore two defunct train stations and use two active ones to make up the four locations. To read Plaintalker's post from April 2006, click here.

--Bernice

Condolences to Mother Carolyn

The pastor of Grace Episcopal Church, Mother Carolyn Eklund, has been a stalwart friend to Plainfield and a champion of causes such as the Save Muhlenberg campaign.

It is with great sadness that we learned of the sudden illness and passing of her husband, John.

Let us give our thoughts and prayers to Mother Carolyn in her time of loss.

Here is the notice of services.

--Bernice

Look!

I just saw something I have to share. Click here for a gorgeous photo and a gracious invitation.

--Bernice

Landmark Project Moving Along

The "Space Available" sign has been up for some time, but now Frank Cretella's company is forging ahead with conversion of the building at 212-216 Park Avenue. Plans call for 3,565 square feet of retail space on the first floor, with four apartments on two upper floors. This site, known as the "Espinosa" building for a former owner, is now on the tax rolls as "Certified Green Property One LLC."

Next door to the south, the former Thomas Furniture building, also a former Courier News site, is owned by a Cretella company, "Next Step to Collins Avenue LLC." It will have retail space on the ground floor and eight apartments.

For a few years now, Cretella has been the only developer with major applications before the city land use boards. Also on the block pictured is the site where Cretella proposes a project with 12,300 square feet of retail space and 148 apartments.

Plaintalker will track the progress of all seven Cretella projects as they develop. To read past blog posts, search "Landmark" and "Cretella" in the search box at the top left corner of the blog.

--Bernice

El Centro Seeks Board Members

As a public service, Plaintalker II is publishing this notice:

BOARD MEMBERS SOUGHT
El Centro Hispanoamericano, a 501(c)(3) organization located in Plainfield, NJ and serving the Hispanic immigrant community in Central New Jersey seeks to expand the membership of its Board of Directors.

Individuals with skills and experience in areas such as communications, fundraising, legal services for immigrants, organizational development, advocacy, business management, and community development are especially sought.

El Centro Hispanoamericano was founded in 1984 to assist refugees from the wars in Central America. Over the years, El Centro has evolved, providing affordable legal services, advocacy, social services, community education and organizing, as well as cultural programs.

Those interested in being considered or wishing more information are urged to contact
Randy Schaeffer, Vice Chair, Board of Directors, El Centro Hispanoamericano by e-mail at randyschaeffer "at" gmail.com or by calling 908 412 1117.

Sounds of Spring

The sound of a male cardinal claiming his territory or the loud "grracckle!" of an iridescent black bird showing off to a lady friend are the unmistakable markers of spring to me.

The doves are also cooing now and looking for nest material.

If you know birds, you can be almost anywhere and get an aural clue to what's going on in their world (our world, too).

A great ally for birders is the Ornithology Lab at Cornell University. Many years ago, we used to listen to recorded bird songs compiled by the lab, so when we took a walk in the Great Swamp or nearby woods, we could tell what birds to look for by hearing them first.

Now, of course, there are online resources as well.

Try listening to this link and the next time you are outdoors, you are likely to hear and recognize the Grackle.

A large number of these birds return to trees at Grace Church each year to breed. Soon we will see armies of their young patrolling our front lawn for edibles. They are very handsome birds indeed and are welcome visitors before they gather in great flocks and migrate in fall to warmer climes.

Bird study is a great way to introduce children to the world of nature and its cycles. It's a lifelong interest for many. So roll down those car windows, take a walk, pull the earplugs out while gardening and listen up to the spring symphony of birds!

--Bernice