October 8
...serving up your daily dish.
Wishes do come true. Not only did we learn that Montclair's plans for sprucing up Anderson Park include a new bathroom facility, there's also an open invitation for folks to take over the vacant space at the Watchung Plaza train station. When we first wrote about the woefully neglected indoor space here, we were hopeful. Eric Levin of the Montclair Times writes this week that the town is now ready to seek a tenant for the station.
Possibilities include a retail shop, service business or food concession. "I'd like to isue a call for proposals this fall and negotiate a lease with a tenant in the next three to six months," said Mayor Ed Remsen last week.
OK, you heard Ed. What do we want? Or more importantly what does the area need? And, the article doesn't specify, but can liquor be involved? A coffeehouse that stayed open all day (unlike, let's say Bluestone which we love but closes way too early) might be nice. Give us your thoughts. Speaking of Watchung Plaza -- do you ever wonder why the Paper Boutique couldn't afford the rent for its former space, but the Irish and More store can? Or why the plaza is the only Montclair shopping district sans "drug store" since the Bradner Pharmacy has completely shifted into Miss Havisham mode.
Hi - I live in the Watchung Plaza area, and this area definitely needs SOMETHING to do after dark. Even the Bloomfield Ave and Church Street stores stay open past 6. I can't even drop off my dry cleaning when I get home from work! A drug store would be nice, but not IN the trainstation. Thanks for posting this!
Posted by: Julia | Oct 8, 2005 11:22:22 AM
What's the 'more' in "Irish and More," anyway?!
Posted by: Montclair Lover | Oct 8, 2005 11:39:06 AM
"do you ever wonder why the Paper Boutique couldn't afford the rent for its former space, but the Irish and More store can?"
Possible answers:
a) the new store isn't being charged the same rent
b) people have suggested, for the longest time, that a number of stores in upper montclair, and elsewhere, do not have to make a profit
Cary
Posted by: cary | Oct 8, 2005 12:26:34 PM
Sounds like an opportunity for Serge the Concierge.
Posted by: Debbie Galant | Oct 8, 2005 12:31:47 PM
Okay, what IS up with Bradner Pharmacy? I've lived here two years and I'm still scared to go inside. It is open, yes?
Next time I need a jar of leeches I'll have to swing by.
Posted by: JK | Oct 8, 2005 12:32:10 PM
They should put a food concession that serves Zone meals. Everyone could pick up their three meals on the way into work.
Posted by: stay at home | Oct 8, 2005 2:02:15 PM
Anyone know? What exactly *are* the plans for sprucing up Anderson Park? I live nearby and I'd no idea what was going on when the fences went up. Also, is there any estimate on how long it will take? Thanks.
Posted by: AM | Oct 8, 2005 3:23:15 PM
Whatever type of business is opened in this space, I hope it will include the sale of coffee & breakfast for morning commuters. Also, it's not all that convenient to get to for anyone other than commuters.
Posted by: tm | Oct 8, 2005 5:25:45 PM
Wouldn't it be great to have a playground at Anderson Park? a la Brookdale...
Posted by: hate to shop | Oct 8, 2005 5:53:17 PM
A playground at Anderson would defile the nature of that park...it is a quiet, walking, zen-like park where people go for peace and contemplation, for the most part. It doesn't need to imitate all the other type-A parks in this area.
Posted by: rez | Oct 8, 2005 8:17:19 PM
i agree clean up the geese park there is playground there-which needs an essex county overhaul like the rest----anderson is a special place-bad enough they are gonna put a bathroom...
Posted by: cstarling | Oct 9, 2005 12:04:51 AM
here's another crazy idea--could they just turn it into a 'train station'--a place where commuters could stay warm on a freezing morning, buy tickets, obtain schedules, sit comfortably in the rain, use a clean safe bathroom and buy a cup of coffee and a newspaper? maybe something like that could work as a part private/part business investment deal.
Posted by: fran | Oct 9, 2005 1:48:35 AM
i was just on the essex county website and there is no mention of building anything on Anderson in fact this is what it states HISTORIC PROFILE
Anderson Park is a 14.85-acre, small suburban park in Upper Montclair, bordered by North Mountain Avenue, Parkside Road, Bellevue Avenue, and the New York & Greenwood Lake Division of the Erie Railroad.
Originally called "Montclair Park," this parkland was transferred to the Essex County Park Commission from the Town of Montclair in 1901. In 1909 the town requested the name be changed in honor of its original donor, C.W. Anderson.
As in the case of much of county parkland, this land was originally low and swampy. With under drainage and fill, the trapezoidal-shaped tract was transformed into a beautifully landscaped park, featuring large shade trees and sprawling lawns. The design for the park was completed on August 4, 1903, by the Olmsted Brothers firm.
The park is unstructured and is generally used for strolling, Frisbee playing, and informal picnics. Therefore, no construction has been planned for this park. The passive scenery suits this quiet suburban neighborhood, in contrast to the heavily developed parks of Newark, illustrating how park design is dictated by the needs of the surrounding community.
DISTINGUISHING FEATURES
. A scenic park with no recreational facilities.
. Used for lacrosse and field hockey.
. 3/5-mile jogging path.
. Site of annual craft show.
the amount of land that is enclosed for these "bathrooms" appears to be more like the size of a recreation building which houses bathrooms--
so what is the real deal here-it says blatantly that there is no construction planned for this park?
Posted by: cstarling | Oct 9, 2005 8:27:31 AM
I'm with Fran. As I long time train commuter I don't understand why other towns in NJ (Rutherford, Princeton, and others) offer waiting rooms, ticket sales, bathrooms and concessions for commuters but Montcliar does not - at least not at Walnut St. and Bay St. which are the two stations that I frequently use.
Posted by: Denise O'Shea | Oct 9, 2005 12:06:12 PM
In 1909 the town requested the name be changed in honor of its original donor, C.W. Anderson.
Is this the same C.W. Anderson who wrote the "Billy and Blaze" books and was famous for his horses?
Posted by: caris | Oct 10, 2005 7:06:05 AM
I'm also with Fran (and Denise) re having a real waiting room. I was so excited when I happened upon the station building actually being open that I took a bunch of photos of it's interior. Unfortunately there was a suspicious character hanging around the bathroom -- well, in and out of the bathroom and trying to talk to me. So although I'd hate to see this building gutted and retail-ized, if it remains a waiting area there needs to be some kind of safety monitoring considered.
Posted by: fussyhostess | Oct 10, 2005 12:11:37 PM
I'm also with Fran (and Denise) re having a real waiting room. I was so excited when I happened upon the station building actually being open that I took a bunch of photos of it's interior. Unfortunately there was a suspicious character hanging around the bathroom -- well, in and out of the bathroom and trying to talk to me. So although I'd hate to see this building gutted and retail-ized, if it remains a waiting area there needs to be some kind of safety monitoring considered.
Posted by: fussyhostess | Oct 10, 2005 12:12:19 PM
