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Hackensack Discussion / Re: River Plaza(River St South and Kennedy)
« on: August 15, 2004, 01:01:21 PM »
I agree with you Eric on a movie theatre in Hackensack. I remember Hackensack having several movie theatres before the multiplex came into being. A movie theatre would give the citizens of Hackensack something to do since this town is void of entertainment. It seems that anything entertaining or of use to the people of Hackensack seem to be against the law...lol Hackensack should look into a playhouse on Main St. for traveling Broadway shows or other entertainment culturally. It's just another cultural and entertaining avenue that Hackensack lacks. I know there is a cultural arts building on Broadway, but it's not centrally located and it small and not well promote to the citizen of Hackensack.
Also, I understand where you're coming from as far as upscale housing instead of the retail stores in the same location. You get people with more income to spend at local stores. But remember one thing, the economy will decide that. Look at how many of the condos/apts on Prospect Ave that are empty. Not everyone can afford the unbelievable prices of Bergen County. Also low-income housing doesn't mean criminals and a bad looking environment. That's what I'm getting from you statement of upscale housing instead of housing across the board. It's the people that live at these locations that give a neighborhood a bad rep. Give people opportunities for good work (enough pay to live, not survive) and you eliminate or limit criminal activities. 99% of Americans want the American dream, but lack of opportunities will force some to give up hope or do what they have to do to survive. That is why some of the environments are like run down and dangerous. You can’t pretend that this part of society doesn’t exist in Hackensack. It’s a part of Hackensack and will continue to be a part of it, so you must always address it along with the middle-class as well as the rich when looking at the needs of Hackensack. Instead of forcing it out of town, try helping these people onto their feet to become a productive part of society. You’ll never know…you could fall into that group by force and not choice. All it takes is losing your job or something else, you job doesn’t pay enough to live you previous lifestyle in Bergen County anymore. Let’s first try to fill the empty apartments in the upscale buildings on Prospect Ave before building on other lands only to sit mostly empty. Maybe, you can turn that land into parks because Hackensack surely lacks enough park land.
Also, I understand where you're coming from as far as upscale housing instead of the retail stores in the same location. You get people with more income to spend at local stores. But remember one thing, the economy will decide that. Look at how many of the condos/apts on Prospect Ave that are empty. Not everyone can afford the unbelievable prices of Bergen County. Also low-income housing doesn't mean criminals and a bad looking environment. That's what I'm getting from you statement of upscale housing instead of housing across the board. It's the people that live at these locations that give a neighborhood a bad rep. Give people opportunities for good work (enough pay to live, not survive) and you eliminate or limit criminal activities. 99% of Americans want the American dream, but lack of opportunities will force some to give up hope or do what they have to do to survive. That is why some of the environments are like run down and dangerous. You can’t pretend that this part of society doesn’t exist in Hackensack. It’s a part of Hackensack and will continue to be a part of it, so you must always address it along with the middle-class as well as the rich when looking at the needs of Hackensack. Instead of forcing it out of town, try helping these people onto their feet to become a productive part of society. You’ll never know…you could fall into that group by force and not choice. All it takes is losing your job or something else, you job doesn’t pay enough to live you previous lifestyle in Bergen County anymore. Let’s first try to fill the empty apartments in the upscale buildings on Prospect Ave before building on other lands only to sit mostly empty. Maybe, you can turn that land into parks because Hackensack surely lacks enough park land.