Hackensack, NJ Community Message Boards

General Category => Hackensack Discussion => Topic started by: KcasnekcaH on August 10, 2004, 09:38:06 AM

Title: River Plaza(River St South and Kennedy)
Post by: KcasnekcaH on August 10, 2004, 09:38:06 AM
I see a large sign saying "Coming soon 60,000sq ft of Retail space", my question is do we have any retail chain offers yet??? Also is there ever going to be a movie theater in Hackensack again ??????

Thank you
Title: Re: River Plaza(River St South and Kennedy)
Post by: ericmartindale on August 10, 2004, 11:31:03 PM
That property was approved for 150 condominiums years ago.The approval is still valid. Unsure why we need more retail development. Condos are better for the waterfront and the river pathway because retail will always put the ugly rear of the buildings (with loading docks and garbage dumpsters) facing the river. Condo's could put front yards, and in the worst case scenario, a landscaped rear yard.
Title: Re: River Plaza(River St South and Kennedy)
Post by: Sheri O on August 11, 2004, 08:30:49 AM
I have to disagree with you, retail is so needed in Hackensack that it's not even funny. If they decide to build a theater there and stores it would be amazing and the revenue would be phenomenal. I think we have enough condos in Hackensack already. :-X
Title: Re: River Plaza(River St South and Kennedy)
Post by: Editor on August 11, 2004, 10:12:48 AM
Also is there ever going to be a movie theater in Hackensack again ??????

Looks likes Garden State Plaza will build a 16 screen theater:

http://www.northjersey.com/page.php?qstr=eXJpcnk3ZjcxN2Y3dnFlZUVFeXkzJmZnYmVsN2Y3dnFlZUVFeXk2NTY3ODMx
Title: Re: River Plaza(River St South and Kennedy)
Post by: KcasnekcaH on August 11, 2004, 10:27:17 AM
One has nothing to do with the other but thanks anyway. Btw I agree with Sheri O, Hackensack is in need of retail.
Title: Re: River Plaza(River St South and Kennedy)
Post by: Steve on August 12, 2004, 08:23:48 PM
I have to say a combination is what we need. Redeveloping that area with more retail , coupled with housing to create foot traffic would be best. I think this would spur the redevelopment in the Hudson Street area as well. However, I must admit, anything would be nicer than what's on that land now. 
Title: Re: River Plaza(River St South and Kennedy)
Post by: ericmartindale on August 13, 2004, 09:15:55 PM
Improvements to the city's retail sector are most needed on Main Street and Anderson Street. The 60,000 square feet will be just another SMALL TACKY STRIP CENTER, absolutely nothing to look at it or be proud of. In fact it will be far smaller than the Shop Rite Riverfront Plaza. It is way too small for a movie theatre, which I agree is needed in Hackensack, preferably on or near Main Street.

Retail is not a good land use along the river due to multiple environmental reasons. There is increased runoff of pollutants into the water, and a whole lot of litter blowing around and into the water. Even light pollution is more severe with retail. Plus retail is less "green", meaning the percent of the site plan that is landscaping. Having more people care about the river is important, and that happens most when people live along it. Right now, nobody lives along the river in our city, and that's a damn shame. In addition, the river pathway project is less compatible with the backs of retail properties, and potentially more compatible with office and residential properties. Highway-type retail may also amount to ugly sprawl. Think of Route 46, for example, or Route 17.

The existing Shop Rite/Riverfront Plaza has effectively become a relatively compact "center of town" for the First Ward of Hackensack. In this regard, it is a positive for the city. However, that "sense of place" which was INADVERTENTLY created will be eroded if developers build a whole corridor of similar retail up and down South River Street. If the Shop Rite/Riverfront Plaza is the new center of town for that area, it should be surrounded with high-quality upscale residential condo and apartment units.

As for upscale condos, I don't see any reason to limit them. Look at how much of our city's housing stock is boarding houses, old 3-4 family houses, houses in disrepair, junky little garden apartments, public housing projects, homeless shelters, etc. If we build more upscale units, the percent of the city's housing stock that is LOW-STATUS becomes less, and therefore the public perception of the city as a viable community advances. It believe it is, quite literally, an ARMS RACE. From the arms race persepctive, I believe that more upscale condo construction will improve everything from the city's crime rate to student test scores in our elementary schools. And the River Street corridor near and south of Route 80 is a perfect place for this advancement to occur. South River Street can't become the next Edgewater without having upscale condos AND upscale retail.
Title: Re: River Plaza(River St South and Kennedy)
Post by: sayhey 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.
Title: Re: River Plaza(River St South and Kennedy)
Post by: Res on August 18, 2004, 08:27:08 AM
Retail is not a good land use along the river due to multiple environmental reasons. There is increased runoff of pollutants into the water, and a whole lot of litter blowing around and into the water. Even light pollution is more severe with retail. Plus retail is less "green", meaning the percent of the site plan that is landscaping. Having more people care about the river is important, and that happens most when people live along it. Right now, nobody lives along the river in our city, and that's a damn shame. In addition, the river pathway project is less compatible with the backs of retail properties, and potentially more compatible with office and residential properties. Highway-type retail may also amount to ugly sprawl. Think of Route 46, for example, or Route 17.

Who would want to live by the river?  Do you not have a sense of smell?  At low tide the stink is unbearable![
Title: Re: River Plaza(River St South and Kennedy)
Post by: kcasnekcaH on August 18, 2004, 09:44:50 AM
Thank you!!!  8)

As I was saying what retails stores have applied to take residency there  ??? Also is there a proposal anywhere about Hackensack having a Movie theater again?!?!
Title: Re: Condos fit for riverfront?
Post by: ericmartindale on August 18, 2004, 09:34:25 PM
Havent' you ever been to Secaucus - a little bit of low tide mud-flat smell was not a deterrent to Harmon Cove. Actually, it's a natural smell common to estuaries everywhere.

If the two of you feel so strongly against condos along the river, I challenge you to come down to the special hearing of the Zoning Board on Tuesday, 8/24/04 and speak against them. There is a major proposal for riverfront condos to be heard that night. For more info, see my post on Anchorage Cove.
Title: Re: River Plaza(River St South and Kennedy)
Post by: Res on August 18, 2004, 10:08:24 PM
It's not that I'm against it, I just don't know what kind of people would want to live down there.  If someone is going to build condos, I hope that they would be high-end.  Also, isn't the train right across the bridge from Harmon Cove?  You would have to go up to Essex St to catch the train and parking isn't great there but 100x better than Anderson St.
Title: Re: River Plaza(River St South and Kennedy)
Post by: kcasnekcaH on August 19, 2004, 11:18:09 AM
"I challenge you to come down to the special hearing of the Zoning Board on Tuesday, 8/24/04 and speak against them."

It would be nice if I knew WHERE????
Title: Re: River Plaza(River St South and Kennedy)
Post by: Jerry on August 19, 2004, 11:47:20 AM
There was a train station/stop right near Harmon Cove in Secaucus but I believe NJ Transit closed that stop since the Secaucus Transfer station opened.

I'm for  residential development along River Rd....But I don't think I would want to live that close to the County Jail.

Perhaps a mixed use residential/retail would work out better...Retail on the street level and residential above?



Title: Re: River Plaza(River St South and Kennedy)
Post by: ericmartindale on August 19, 2004, 11:27:10 PM
Zoning and Planning Board meetings are always held the same place the Mayor & Council have city council meetings: 65 Central Avenue, 3rd floor. That's the corner of Central & State Street, and use the door facing Central Avenue. There's always plenty of parking either behind the building or across Central Ave in a city-owned parking lot.

Council Meetings:  1st and 3rd Mondays 8:00
Planning Board:  2nd Wed 7:00
Zoning Board:  3rd Wed 7:30

The 8/24 meeting is a special meeting for a Tuesday, which is unusual.

As for the rail stop at Harmon Cove in Secaucus being closed, that seems hard to believe. I would like some independent confirmation of that. Hope to see a good turnout for the 8/24 hearing.

[Editor's note: this topic continues on page 2. Click "2" on bottom left hand corner]
Title: Re: River Plaza(River St South and Kennedy)
Post by: Editor on August 20, 2004, 10:07:38 AM
Harmon Cove station closed:

http://www.meadowlink.org/secaucustrans.html