Stretch of Bloomfield Avenue Targeted for Rehabilitation
Could be first step toward new ShopRite location.
Photos
A stretch of Bloomfield Avenue in West Caldwell where several vacant buildings stand may be en route to getting a makeover.
West Caldwell Township Administrator Jock Watkins said last week the township's governing body recently approved a resolution to designate a section of Bloomfield Avenue west of Passaic Avenue and encompassing Kirkpatrick Lane as an "area in need of rehabilitation."
Watkins explained it is now up to the town's Planning Board to review the Council's resolution and make recommendations. Once this work is complete, the Planning Board's recommendations will be reviewed by the Council.
The Council approved the resolution after receiving a request from Ned Gladstein, the owner of ShopRite in West Caldwell, who is said to want to relocate his Passaic Avenue supermarket to this part of Bloomfield Avenue—a plan he neither confirmed nor denied when reached for comment.
The town looked at the lots in question by Kirkpatrick Lane up to and including the old Justus Buick property, which is owned by Gladstein, the vacant gas station and the Burger King. While Burger King is a viable business, Watkins said it has to be included since it falls in between the lots in question.
Watkins also said after receiving Gladstein's request, the town also added an additional area on Kirkpatrick Lane by the sewer pumping station. "All these lots meet the town's criteria," Watkins said.
In addition to the Planning Board review, West Caldwell has also asked the township engineer to evaluate the infrastructure to determine if it adheres to established codes.
At a previous Council meeting on August 2, Mayor Joseph Tempesta told Patch plans for the area have been "brewing for several years."
In a campaign profile last year Tempesta said while the majority of West Caldwell's business area is already developed, "negotiations are going on to redevelop an abandoned piece of property along Bloomfield Avenue across from Essex Mall into a new ShopRite."
When contacted by Patch about plans for a new store, Gladstein said he had no comment.
A West Caldwell Planning Board meeting originally scheduled for Monday, August 22 has been rescheduled to Monday, August 29. An agenda was not available as of press time.
Additional reporting by Teresa Akersten.
In This article
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ShopRite
540 Passaic Ave, West Caldwell, NJ -
Burger King
900 Bloomfield Ave, West Caldwell, NJ
Chris Wysocki
2:42 pm on Monday, August 22, 2011
The final nail in the coffin for Eisenhower Parkway's completion. Thanks West Caldwell!
Apu Nahasapeemapetilon
9:18 pm on Monday, August 22, 2011
Do you really think E-Parkway is ever going to be extended through the swamp?
Tammy
4:02 pm on Friday, April 27, 2012
Oh WyStop a potentially nice rehab.
Kevin B
2:58 pm on Monday, August 22, 2011
Like the plans for Eisenhower Pkwy ever had a chance. Don't blame this on WC. The county and state have had over 20 years to get this done and didn't.
Kevin
5:02 pm on Monday, August 22, 2011
Can anyone explain what it means to declare this an "area in need of rehabilitation"? If Mr. Gladstein owns the property, why can't he move his business there?
Danelectro59
6:04 pm on Monday, August 22, 2011
I wouldn't exactly call that Burger King a "viable" business. The Wendy's near there is pretty bad for a Wendy's, but at lunch time it's packed, whereas the BK is like a morgue.
Teresa Akersten
8:22 pm on Monday, August 22, 2011
Basically the governing body would be able to take actions to rehabilitate the area if it is determined to be a "blighted area." Here is a link to a bill that helps explain. http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2000/Bills/PL01/155_.HTM
Kevin
10:36 am on Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Thank you Teresa. So if it is delared an area in need, Shop Rite receives a tax abatement?
Cj
8:53 am on Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Whats going on with the proposed Condo's on Clinton rd near the Post Office. Is that still a go? If so when
Steve Bledsoe
7:20 pm on Thursday, August 25, 2011
Enough is enough with the building. Don't we have enough shopping malls in town? Isn't it time we start thinking about what's appealing in this town for present and future families? Here's a novel idea: how about a recreation area with mulitple ball fields for our kids (sorely needed), with concession stands and parking. Think of out of towners driving up Bloomfield Av for the first time thinking...."Wow, what an awesome place to raise a family."
Seriously, it's time to think about the "doing the right thing" rather than subdividing properties to increase the tax base....
Robert King
8:01 pm on Monday, April 23, 2012
I would like to know when are they going to build the NEW shoprite?
Tammy
2:49 pm on Friday, April 27, 2012
Think Livingston Town Center ....meandering storefronts, parking in the back....there needs balance and interesting to draw you in, but not a giant parking lot on the avenue or across the street...... check out The District in Henderson, NV. Small, great restaurants, shops, couple big names, like william sonoma, gap, specialty stores, benches......make it a destination. Not another grocery store. Do you want this to really look like Route 46? It is eye soar now and you have a great opportunity to make this shine! http://shopthedistrictgvr.com/ a smaller elongated scale, but doable.
Tammy
2:49 pm on Friday, April 27, 2012
maybe a parking tower like montclairs in the back near the greenspace!
Frank M.
11:00 am on Monday, July 16, 2012
West Caldwell Township Administrator Jock Watkins said last week the township's governing body recently approved a resolution to designate a section of Bloomfield Avenue west of Passaic Avenue and encompassing Kirkpatrick Lane as an "area in need of rehabilitation."
SO HOW MUCH IS THIS GOING TO COST THE TAXPAYERS OF WEST CALDWELL? ENOUGH WITH THE SMOKE AND MIRRORS!
Peter Caldwell
11:30 am on Monday, July 16, 2012
"One must only look at the vacant gas station on Bloomfield Avenue that has sat idle for years and causing blight to that area," Natko stated. Natko was running a few years ago with the late Alex Trento and now Freeholder Luciano.
This was their stradegy against the sitting Mayor and council . The area is getting fixed up and now THAT's an issue?
Frank M.
1:41 pm on Monday, July 16, 2012
It's wonderful that there are plans to rehab that section of Bloomfield Ave. As long as it doesnt cost us taxpayers any money. I have no issue and my only strategy is to keep taxes down!!!!!
Robert King
7:33 am on Tuesday, July 17, 2012
so when are they going to start with this area in need of rehabilitation?? and start building the new shoprite?? I heard that the taco bell closed up, is this going to be a part of area in need of rehabilitation as well? thanks.