OH CHARRETTE 2

Charrette or charade? May 19th a second and follow up presentation by the Vision for Plainfield consultants was held at the Washington School. The study and presentation is not a charade but of interest and in depth. Its value will depend on the City's government's willingness to implement the study's guidelines.

Why did I entertain "charade"? One can doubt Administration's commitment. The Mayor had requested this charrette as a follow up to the original session. Councilor Reid had objected to the additional cost of $16,000.00 which was approved by the Council. Although called for to start at 6pm there were no members of the City Administration present although Counciman Storch arrived about 6:10, and was followed shortly afterwards by Concilors Burney, and Mapp as well as Council President McWilliams. Assemblyman Green arrived as the presentation began. Still significantly absent when I left at 8:30pm was the Mayor and the City Administrator. The only administrative person I observed in attendance was Jacques Howard who came at the onset.

The purpose of this meeting was to further refine the "plans' derived from the earlier Charrett(e). The plans for the Netherwood and Downtown are interesting and have some uniqueness over the ongoing projects in Cranford and Garwood to the east because there is a greater emphasis on "green space" and pedestrian walks.

Redevelopment in the western end, The Grant Ave-Clinton Ave Station areas would be later, but also have an interesting concept that will require one prime factor before there would be any possibility of success. That is of course a sense of security.

The keystone of the Clinton Ave projects besides stores and small size multi-residential units on the north side of Front St. would be redeveloping the Mack Building west of Clinton into a dual use building, commercial on the ground floor and three floors of residential (referred to as loft) units. Parking would be along the RR tracks.The example given was the successful conversion of the American Can Plant off the Skyway Rt. 1 in Jersey City.

The Grant Ave project would center on a large indoor recreational facility on the old Wood plant property, along with commercial development along Grant and Front . There would be consideration for low residential units on the south side of 2nd St. This area might be anchored by a supermarket. The beauty of the Grant Ave site lies in its easy access from Rt.22 and also from the south. A similar recreational facility in Rahway has been a boon.

One caveat, as in the cases where old heavy industrial plants once were, there is always a question of site contamination and how costly it would be to correct.

Several important factors gleamed from the meeting (1) the potential availability of funding from the Ford Foundation, (2) under present market conditions, rental units rather than condos would more likely succeed, (3) various portions of the newly developed master plan should be converted into Ordinances to give developers direction and to prevent fragmented development without regard to any overall planning. and(4) strong and enforced codes to assure maintenance of new units.

Has this project been a waste of almost $100,000.00? First we must understand that it is a long term vision although the Downtown could be in advanced stages in a few years with an upturn in the economy. The Netherwood program is also doable with at present high grade rental units.

But unless our City Government shows more openness and commitment by reestablishing a quality function administration instead of the scotch tape setup that has existed for the past 4 years one can only envision hit and run entrepreneur developers showing up.