Author Topic: Corner of Union St. & Central Ave.  (Read 7437 times)

Jerry

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Corner of Union St. & Central Ave.
« on: May 10, 2004, 10:52:39 AM »
Does anyone know what's planned for the corner of Central & Union?  

They recently razed what was an old funeral home.  




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Re:Corner of Union St. & Central Ave.
« Reply #1 on: May 13, 2004, 12:55:40 PM »
The following article by a Hackensack Now contributing writer mentions the Union Street Project (see bolded text below):

SPECTACULAR GROUNDBREAKING OCCURS !!!
December 24, 2003:

By Lauren Mitreski

Call it Anthony Carrino’s Christmas gift to the City of Hackensack. A long-awaiting groundbreaking has finally occurred on the most lavish and upscale apartment building ever proposed in the vicinity of downtown Hackensack. Seven worn-out two-family homes lie in various stages of spectacular ruin as demolition continues at the southwest corner of Union and Sussex Streets, just north of Essex Street.

The project was originally approved in the Spring of 2002 by the city’s Zoning Board of Adjustment, which then granted an extension a year later. Although the Master Plan recommends multi-unit development, the antiquated zoning code still technically calls for two-family zoning at the site. The city is planning to adopt an ordinance which will bring the zoning code into conformity with the Master Plan. The entire length of Union Street is expected to be rezoned for 5-story multi-unit development.

Carrino’s new 5-story building will house approximately 40 spacious 2-bedroom units. The units are expected to be high-rent apartments attracting households earning in the $100,000 per year range. The targeted market is young professional couples as well as empty-nester households. The project is one block west of the Court Plaza office complex, and an easy 1.5 block walk to the Essex Street train station. There will be a 25-foot setback from the curb, and 15 feet of landscaping around the side and rear perimeter. Thanks to the diligence of the board members, the building will have a detailed architectural façade (mostly brick) and a peaked roof. "The only comparable building in Hackensack is the new condo complex at Clinton Place and Grand Avenue, but the Clinton Place building has less extensive landscaping and smaller units", said Eric Martindale, a community activist who regularly attends board meetings. Martindale, who said he testified in favor of the project at the hearings, said it will be the first building on the east side of Hackensack of comparable quality to Prospect Avenue.

City officials are optimistic that the new development will mark a turning point for Union Street. Earlier in December, the city Planning Board approved 19 units at the southwest corner of Union Street and Central Avenue, and groundbreaking occurred on an 8-story tower at State and Clay Streets. Several more projects are in planning stages.
« Last Edit: May 13, 2004, 12:56:12 PM by Editor »

ericmartindale

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Winning the Arms Race of Hackensack
« Reply #2 on: May 14, 2004, 10:00:11 PM »
A few months ago, the Hackensack Planning Board approved plans for a 5-story, 19-unit condominium complex. Originally proposed as 24 units, the mayor objected to the "tandem" parking plan proposed by the developer. Each unit would have had 2 dedicated parking spaces that would have been end-to-end instead of side-by-side. So to get the second car out, the owner would have had to back up the first car. There would have been a lot of jockeying around in the parking deck.

The developer and the board attempted to stare each other down, until the developer blinked. He came back with a new plan for only 19 units. The new parking plan is "normal". The building footprint and building size didn't change, he just made each of the 19 units larger and more luxurious. The building will have significant architectural details, and the Planning Board took pride in stating that it will "set the standard" for future buildings in the immediate neighborhood.  The complex is being touted as the gateway to the downtown district.

This complex, along with two others also under construction on the outskirts of downtown, will transform any remaining public perception that the neighborhoods surrounding downtown are stuggling. The 8-story building at State & Clay, in particular, will be easily seen from Main Street, acting as a magnet for investors to open upscale shops and restaurants on Main Street.

The whole corridor between the downtown and Railroad Avenue is fast improving. One has to look really hard to find a run-down house, which wasn't the case only 5 years ago. There are still some boarding houses, although several of those have been eliminated in recent years through conversion into other uses.  

There's a new mindset in town: sort of an "ARMS-RACE MENTALITY", in which more upscale (positive) units are desired in the older areas of the city to counterbalance and outweigh the influence of several categories of negative units (1) boarding houses, (2) homeless shelters, (3) small junky garden apartments built in the 1960's, and (4) older houses owned by absentee landlords and rented as multiple apartments.

Very soon, there will be three solid and outstanding buildings on the outskirts of our downtown. The identity of the area will be re-cast in a more positive light. Indeed, Union, State, and Park Streets are re-emerging as a quality neighborhood and a place for positive economic development.  The neighborhood has been touted as a high-quality integrated neighborhood and an urban renaissance area.

Although the loss of the architectural and historic character of the former funeral home was significant, the positive influence of the new development, in my opinion, far outweighs the loss. I am proud to say that I testified in favor of the project at the Planning Board hearings.

Offline sayhey

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Re:Corner of Union St. & Central Ave.
« Reply #3 on: May 19, 2004, 09:19:59 AM »
How about building new dwelling that attract families (with children).  I think that helps to make neighborhoods more pleasant.  Hackensack is becoming more of a transit town, then a city with lively family friendly neighborhoods.

John

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Re:Corner of Union St. & Central Ave.
« Reply #4 on: May 19, 2004, 11:50:39 AM »
Then Hackensack needs to improve the school system.

Offline sayhey

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Re:Corner of Union St. & Central Ave.
« Reply #5 on: May 19, 2004, 07:07:52 PM »
John, you are right about that.