February 6
...serving up your daily dish.
The fire at Upper Montclair Train Station will not affect the commute, at least not in terms of time changes or delays, reports the Star Ledger. Folks who didn't read us yesterday, and took early trains this morning, will no doubt be shocked by the site of the charred, gutted structure. From the Ledger...
Township public works crews on the scene yesterday cleaned up the area and roped off the entire station. No damage was visible to the train tracks. Approximately 200 feet near the east end of the platforms will open for commuters to board, said NJ Transit spokesman Ken Hitchener.
Gerald Tobin, First Ward Councilman, said the fire destroyed "a historic building, a key building for the Upper Montclair Village." Tobin said he was going to review the damage tomorrow. "It's an incredible loss for us," he said. "We have to find out what caused the blaze, and rebuild it just the same."
The blaze, which started while an audience watched the Rocky Horror Picture Show at the Bellevue Theater, was captured by the cast photographer here. Baristanet sends condolences to the owners and staff of Round Trip Fare who had transformed the space into a jewel box restaurant. Sadly, the restaurant's website already appears to be down. Now that appears this space will be out of commission for some time, will we finally see a tenant for the recently renovated Watchung Train Station?
My sources tell me that as an offering to the public at large, the lead developer is moving towards a redesign which will incorporate a dog run. The plan, which I have been privy to, also shows a pedestrian bridge to the Cheese Shop area on Valley. Brilliant!
Posted by: offhand | Feb 6, 2006 8:15:02 AM
How about rennovating the Upper Montclair train station and turning it into a community center?
Just check out how the Glen Ridge NJT train station is utilized.
Posted by: Franklin | Feb 6, 2006 9:17:47 AM
I hope the fire damage doesn't hinder me trying to get into the city for Betty Friedan's funeral.
Posted by: The Iceman (8T) | Feb 6, 2006 9:31:40 AM
"How about rennovating the Upper Montclair train station and turning it into a community center?"
I'm sure that will get about as far as the idea to turn the Marlboro Inn site into something that benefits the community.
By the way, I'm sure many here have heard the rumor that townhouses are going to be built in part of Anderson Park. Maybe a pedestrian bridge across Bellevue for the ones on the site of the train station?
That this it all believable (some still swear there's a secret plan for townhouses in Anderson) speaks volumes.
Posted by: inhand | Feb 6, 2006 10:09:26 AM
This never would have happened if this [train] line offered weekend service into Penn Station.
Posted by: Jim | Feb 6, 2006 1:32:56 PM
This never would have happened if James Watt had been a healthy lad either.
Posted by: Right of Center™ | Feb 6, 2006 1:46:15 PM
