Post by novillero on Dec 2, 2008 6:24:42 GMT -5
Downtown revitalization plan adopted in Freehold
By Kim Predham • FREEHOLD BUREAU • December 2, 2008
FREEHOLD — The Borough Council adopted a redevelopment plan that will pave the way for the downtown revitalization, with little reaction from the public in attendance Monday night.
"Everyone up here (on the dais) is very excited about it," Councilman Marc LeVine said.
But, he added, residents need to give the council more input on what they hope to see in Freehold.
"Tell us what you want so that we have a better vision of what the town is going to be," LeVine said.
The center core redevelopment plan sets out a framework for revitalization of the area roughly bounded by Throckmorton Street to the west, Spring Street to the east, Broad and Lafayette streets to the north and Mechanic and Hudson streets to the south. The zone has been designated an area in need of rehabilitation, according to the redevelopment ordinance adopted Monday night.
The ordinance was developed from a study conducted by the engineering and consulting firm CMX, Manalapan.
That study, presented in September, advocated for an emphasis on pedestrian-oriented development with a mix of commercial and residential uses.
Also proposed was a parking garage to address long-standing parking issues. A garage could free up existing parking lots downtown for development, CMX planner David Roberts has said.
The potential parking structure generated the most comment from residents and council members Monday, the majority in favor of the building.
"We need it now, and we always will always need parking," said resident Leroy LaBarrie.
But Tom Baldwin, another resident, encouraged the council to give up the parking garage plan, saying there was no parking problem in town and that a garage would be a waste of money and an eyesore.
"We don't need it, folks!" Baldwin said.
Councilman Kevin Kane disagreed, saying, "Surface parking is a thing of the past." And, he added, the parking structure would not stick out visually like other garages.
"It's not going to be a parking garage as you know of," Kane said.
A garage in Freehold would be shielded from view, according to the plan.
The new redevelopment plan does not allow the borough to take property through eminent domain, the study states.
The Planning Board accepted the plan last month, with one recommendation: that the council consider and, if possible, include the rehabilitation and revitalization of the Throckmorton Street corridor from Main Street to Route 9 in the redevelopment.
If the corridor is not in the plan, the board asked that alternative rehabilitation measures be considered for the area.
www.app.com/article/20081202/NEWS/812020348/-1/nletter05?source=nletter-news
By Kim Predham • FREEHOLD BUREAU • December 2, 2008
FREEHOLD — The Borough Council adopted a redevelopment plan that will pave the way for the downtown revitalization, with little reaction from the public in attendance Monday night.
"Everyone up here (on the dais) is very excited about it," Councilman Marc LeVine said.
But, he added, residents need to give the council more input on what they hope to see in Freehold.
"Tell us what you want so that we have a better vision of what the town is going to be," LeVine said.
The center core redevelopment plan sets out a framework for revitalization of the area roughly bounded by Throckmorton Street to the west, Spring Street to the east, Broad and Lafayette streets to the north and Mechanic and Hudson streets to the south. The zone has been designated an area in need of rehabilitation, according to the redevelopment ordinance adopted Monday night.
The ordinance was developed from a study conducted by the engineering and consulting firm CMX, Manalapan.
That study, presented in September, advocated for an emphasis on pedestrian-oriented development with a mix of commercial and residential uses.
Also proposed was a parking garage to address long-standing parking issues. A garage could free up existing parking lots downtown for development, CMX planner David Roberts has said.
The potential parking structure generated the most comment from residents and council members Monday, the majority in favor of the building.
"We need it now, and we always will always need parking," said resident Leroy LaBarrie.
But Tom Baldwin, another resident, encouraged the council to give up the parking garage plan, saying there was no parking problem in town and that a garage would be a waste of money and an eyesore.
"We don't need it, folks!" Baldwin said.
Councilman Kevin Kane disagreed, saying, "Surface parking is a thing of the past." And, he added, the parking structure would not stick out visually like other garages.
"It's not going to be a parking garage as you know of," Kane said.
A garage in Freehold would be shielded from view, according to the plan.
The new redevelopment plan does not allow the borough to take property through eminent domain, the study states.
The Planning Board accepted the plan last month, with one recommendation: that the council consider and, if possible, include the rehabilitation and revitalization of the Throckmorton Street corridor from Main Street to Route 9 in the redevelopment.
If the corridor is not in the plan, the board asked that alternative rehabilitation measures be considered for the area.
www.app.com/article/20081202/NEWS/812020348/-1/nletter05?source=nletter-news
