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Historic District

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BartGelormino:
My mother told me last weekend that her home and the entire Eastside Neighborhood in Paterson has been designated a "Historic District"

Does anyone know if it would be possible to get the same designation for the Fairmount neighborhood?

My parent's house was built in 1929.  My home on Clinton is at least 100 years old.  The Fairmount neighborhood is in much better shape than Paterson's Eastside.

The designation would put an end to the tearing down of classic homes.  There are many areas of Hackensack that should be redeveloped - the Fairmount neighborhood is not one of them!  

Anyone have any ideas?  

Editor:
I'll look into further but, in the meantime, answer me this:

Would you consent to having your home declared "historic" if it meant that you could never sell it to a developer at top dollar?

Should people be prevented from maximizing profits on their investment?

I hate to see older homes destroyed, but I would also hate any restrictions being placed on the use of my property without adequate compensation.

Ultimately, I think the fate of the Fairmount section will rest on the values of the homeowners that live here.  Who will sell out and who will remain?

More on this as it comes to me...

Editor:
Related story from Tenafly:  Residents win as block loses historic status

ericmartindale:
Anything is possible.  Mobilizing people for a movement, and then getting the city to do it is another matter.  Here's a conceptual battle plan:

(1) The first step is to get a bunch of people together and start a Historic Committee, basically a private organization devoted to the stated goals. (2) The second step is to create an official city Historic Commission, just like the Shade Tree Commission, Environmental Commission, etc. (3) The third step would be to look at what properties need recognition, photodocumenting everything, and putting the information online. (4) The fourth step is incorporating those recommendations into the Master Plan, and (5) the fifth step is actually saving properties.

The owner of this website is the official city historian.  I am not sure if he eager to participate in any committee. It would be great to have the City Historian onboard but it is not necessary. That's his choice.

I was down at the Planning Board meeting last night speaking in favor of preserving the "old bank building" across The Green from the Courthouse.  The entire square block is subject to redevelopment action by the City of Hackensack.  I'm in favor of the project, but that one building has to stay. They can build around it.

Back in the 1970's, there was a push from outside forces onto Hackensack to create historic districts. However, they were picking areas that the city firmly and absolutely wanted to see torn down, such as parts of Union and Park Streets. Therefore, the city administration at that time was hostile to the attempts. City Planner Eugene Duffy, in particular, held them with total contempt. Any attempt to push historic preservation must take care not to duplicate that mistake.

I don't know if the entire Fairmount District would qualify, but in my mind Summit Ave, and the area generally from both sides of Euclid Ave to both sides of Hamilton Ave would qualify.  Scattered areas further north may also qualify, especially around Cedar Ave. Portions of Maple Hill Drive and adjacent areas of Summit could qualify as well. 

I'd like to see an ordinance passed banning "projecting" garages, so that garages must always be recessed from view.  That adds another layer of protection to historic preservation.

Bart, are you the guy that was going to buy the Coyle mansion (Anderson & Prospect) before it was torn down, or am I confusing you with someone else?

Anyone interested in being on any historic committee can post here. I would certainly be interested myself.

ericmartindale:
I was browsing thru the www.hackensacknow.com "classified" and I noticed a post from 4/18/06, which is the Hackensack History Collection for sale. It contains an amazing amount of valuable artifacts, maps, documents, etc.

I am hoping that this is not the city's collection that is being sold off.

This could be the start of a museum for Hackensack.

What is the status of this valuable collection.  Who is currently holding it.  All it says now is that the collection is "not available".

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