Downtown Main Street

[just watching]

I guess there should be a string on Downtown Main Street, development, plans, etc.

I hear that the BID's Director, Leo Pfleigler, was fired.  Can anyone confirm.  Is there any news article or anything about this. ?

[regina]

Here's an article from 6/13/09 The Record

http://www.northjersey.com/news/crimeandcourts/47971286.html


and this is from 6/1/09 County Seat

"Hackensack’s Upper Main Alliance has
hired Albert Dib as its interim executive
director, replacing Leo Pflieger. Dib is a
longtime city resident and legal analyst,
information specialist and municipal historian
for the City of Hackensack. The merchant
group emphasizes that all activities
will continue uninterrupted while a permanent
replacement is found."

[just watching]

It's interesting to note that the news of this didn't come out until after the election.  Sounds like the arrest occurred BEFORE the election.  Did this news make it into any of the campaign literature ?  

Since the election was split and the margins razor-thin, this Monday-morning quarterback is wondering if it might have been a game-changer on who controls the council-majority

[just watching]

The multi-unit project for 94 State Street has resurfaced again, that the east side of State Street generally near Warren. 

Previously it had been approved for about 90 units, and 8 stories.  It was to be concrete construction.  The project was widely touted as being something very positive for downtown Hackensack, and would have replaced a vacant lot, an AAMCO, and a building that is no longer a drop-in homeless shelter.  It was approved several years ago, during the real estate heyday, but was never built.  Probably because of the economy and the credit crunch, and that banks became tougher on financing housing developments.

The application is back on the Planning Board docket for the September 9th meeting.  It was the only application on the docket, so chances are it was either approved or well under way.

Based on the requirement for 179 parking spaces, it looks like the project is 85 units. It is now a 5-story building.  Based on the variances requested, I think the building is the same size as what was approved, just shorter and with less landscaping around it.  It's not as aesthetically pleasing, but it is a lot more economical to build this way.   The changes means that only the parking structure will be concrete and i-beam construction, and all the residential units will be wood-frame "stick".  Similar to 310 Prospect Ave, which is between 300 Prospect Ave and 3rd Street, or the infamous Avalon Condominiums in Edgewater. 

What is unknown is if this applicant will actually build the project, or just wants the variances approved to flip it to someone with deep pockets who will actually build it.

I think another project is planned across the street, where the Salvation Army used to be.  Don't know the status of that one.

[itsme]

Where can one find the listing of the dockets for the Planning and Zoning Boards?

[Editor]

Planning Board: http://www.hackensack.org/content/133/default.aspx

Zoning Board: http://www.hackensack.org/content/136/default.aspx

Scroll down on each page for the Meeting results.

[just watching]

I see that the shining star of downtown Main Street has lost all it's character, all it's appeal.  We had such high hopes for LIMON, it was billed as downtown's version of Whole Foods.  LIMON occupies the space of the former Prozy's.

I went there yesterday specifically for the salad bar.  Bad move.  It's gone, along with the entire deli section.  And it wasn't an April Fools joke. They are taking out most of the upscale specialty products.  Instead making a large "Farmer's Market".  Whoop-T-Doo. You've got those in every good-sized city, nothing special about that.  And we already have a much bigger and better Farmer's Market on Main Street, who is going to go to the LIMON's Farmer's Market with Giant Market only 1/2 mile away ?  And the Han Ah Reum Supermarket in Little Ferry really trumps them all.

We thought that the LIMON was going to blaze the way for new upscale shops and restaurants and encourage condo construction.  To set the new standard for Hackensack.  The cashier says that "the owners feel they'll get more economic return from a Farmer's Market. We're sad about it too, but it is not our decision".

Now let me translate that.  Here's what I see.  Their business plan failed.  They are struggling to stay from going out of business.  So they are going to try a new business plan out of extreme desperation.  What they don't realize is that the old business plan didn't rely on parking.  For the most part, the customers were employees nearby who were WALKING from local offices and businesses. Not too many of them are going to walk to the Farmer's Market, they'll just eat elsewhere.

There is a small residential population within walking distance.  In order for a Farmer's Market to survice that is not within walking distance of a large residential population, there needs to be substantial parking. They have some parking in the rear, probably not enough for their business plan. 

So let's put LIMON on "Death Watch".  Really they already died, I won't be at all sad to see the final remnant finally close its doors.

[itsme]

I was on Main Street last week and noticed the closing of the store which was formerly Jaemart.  This store was located between Atlantic and Mercer and next door to the old Woolworth store.  I noticed that across the street, Mangos had also closed. 

I pray that Limon's new plan works.  After all, success for Main Street means success for all of Hackensack

[Editor]

We can expect stores to make course corrections from time to time and/or change ownership. I think this adaptability makes Main Street more resilient than other downtowns.  There is room for improvement and we are working on it daily.  Naturally, the economy is a huge factor.

[just watching]

Jaemart has closed many times and then reopened.  Sometimes I think it is just an excuse to put up the big signs "Liquidating inventory" or "going out of business" in the hopes of attracting customers with bargain pricing.  Then they just stay open anyway, or re-emerge.

[irons35]

they are not reopening this time.  they were liquidated at auction.  when the dollar store closes you are in some deep trouble...

[just watching]

That's no big loss for Hackensack.  Dollar stores bring the town down. Still grieving over Limons'

Let's hope someone restores the Jaemart building facade to its architectural legacy.  I know there is a picture online somewhere of the store, how incredible that building used to be.