I hear your points Eric, but I don't see how simply working downtown equates to more retail customers in the independent businesses...From what I've seen most of the new businesses are food places, and since all the new apartments and condos being built are (in my opinion) to attract more people who most likely work in NYC what really does downtown have to offer in the way of being a "complete" city?
How many dollar stores does Hackensack have? Do the new residents really need probably a dozen barber shops? The years I spent in Lyndhurst I would definitely say that if you wanted to you never really had to leave the town. 2 supermarkets, plenty of chinese or italian spots, mexican or caribbean food as well..Carvel, Dunkin Donuts, TJ Maxx, places for pet supplies, bagel shops, etc...and it's absolutely a commuter town as well. Sadly I agree that Hackensack began to get a really bad rep in the 80's, I too remember one specific homeless shelter right on E Kansas St a few blocks from where I lived...the bus station was always cluttered with homeless as well, when I was at Guy Ross Chevrolet I saw them constantly. It's really a tough idea that up on Summit Ave there's million dollar homes and down on Railroad Ave and the surrounding areas it's still very rundown. How does a city bounce back like they're predicting, or expecting?