History of the Vision Study

[novillero]

Just some dates first, then my question on a separate post.

04/05/2006 - The Transcript announces that the Borough receives a grant for $25,000 for a "vision study."

12/05/06 - Councilman Levine announces on this website that the vision study was awarded to Get Shorty DePalma

3/14/07 Transcript Reports its "under way." An initial report was provided to the council by this date. Marc Levine noted the initial report weeks earlier on this site.

03/17/07 - an APP article says that Schoor Depalma is making a presentation to the Planning Board on March 28, 2007. It is noted that the vision study was talked about in 2005 during a parking study.

03/27/2007 - Councilman Levine writes on this site: "Might you also be awar that Schoor & DePalma Engineers just completed a Vision Study, fully financed by a grant, to outline a bright future for the downtown area? It is about to come before the Planning Board very soon. Perhaps, the County will work with us to erect a Parking Garage in town? It's been discussed with ALL the Freeholders."

05/16/2007 - councilman Levine writes, "The vision study, just completed, answers some of those questions"

06/19/2007 - councilman Levine again writes: "The vision study, just completed, answers some of those questions"

10/17/07 In a Transcript article on the incumbents, "Citing a downtown vision study which should be completed by the end of the year, Kane said many ideas will be forthcoming that will present a benefit to the town."

10/31/07 - Mayor Wilson tells the Transcript, an "updated vision study" should be done by the end of the year. In a separate pre-election article on the same date, Kane is awaiting the study.

11/02/2007 - councilman Levine writes: "I am hoping the soon to be released, Vision study addresses a future with train service in and around Freehold Borough." On the same date, councilman Levine writes

"The Vision Study involves a great deal of effort and professional preparation. I'm sure the engineers involved are working to their own quality standards, to protect their business reputation, and they are not hurrying their results.

Why not talk about it? It IS coming. Fact is, we're all waiting for the plan we contracted for. There's another election in 2008, if you don't like what the plan includes."

01/16/2008 Transcript reports, "Kane said a downtown vision study that is being conducted will help the town's economic growth and property values. "

02/22/2008, the APP does a story on downtown Freehold, ""We're in the process of completing a vision study to redo the whole downtown," said borough councilman Kevin A. Kane, a lifelong resident. Kane said the goal is to attract more boutique and specialty stores. The vision study, being conducted by CMX Engineering, will help address parking, traffic and waste concerns."

06/03/2008 - councilman Levine writes, on this site, "Last night I publicly called for a meeting with the Partnership's leaders to discuss their overall plans. Within the month, there will also be a public meeting to unveil our Vision Study."

06/03/08 - Brian writes, "Last night at the council meeting, I referenced this article and asked if what is in it ties in with the vision study. I was told The vision study for down town is not complete..."

[novillero]

It seems from the above, the following happened
- we got a grant,
- 8 months later awarded the bid,
- very soon afterwards an initial report was given,
- then there is mention of a completed study,
- then an updated study,
- and now 18 months after beginning, we are still waiting.

Is this history, capsulize above, correct? Was there (1) an initial report; (2) a completed report; and now were are waiting for (3) an updated report?

When I read the past posts, it is clear that councilman Levine was very excited when the grant was awarded. His posts made it seem that the study would be completely quickly. Why the delay? Is this normal?

Are the prior version(s) available for review?

Does it still look like the vision study will be out this month?

[admin]

Have no fear, Novillero, I bet we get some good news about the vision study just before election day.

[stffgpr2003]

When I read the past posts, it is clear that councilman Levine was very excited when the grant was awarded. His posts made it seem that the study would be completely quickly. Why the delay? Is this normal?

Nov -

I only shared what I heard and I DID SHARE IT. Rather that I didn't? Apparently, there have been some delays. Is this normal? I can only answer that with a question" "what is normal?" Are we all anxious for the Vision Study release? Absolutely! Will the plan ultimately benefit the Boro in many good ways? That's what we are all hoping for and we must all work together to make it happen!

In fact, portions of it have already been released over the past year and a half - particularly the parking garage part, which the town and county have been discussing for quite sometime. Perhaps, the later (than probably anticipated) release is a good omen since the Partnership has just hired Mr. Gatto, who no doubt will play a significant part in implementation of the economic development piece - to help market the greater promise of the downtown to quality retailers and other businesses.

I'll keep everyone posted on what I hear. I'm not writing the plan, but I WILL weigh in on it when it gets here.

Marc

[novillero]

Jul 17, 2008 8:48:16 GMT -5 @stffgpr2003 said:

When I read the past posts, it is clear that councilman Levine was very excited when the grant was awarded. His posts made it seem that the study would be completely quickly. Why the delay? Is this normal?

Nov -

I only shared what I heard and I DID SHARE IT. Rather that I didn't? Apparently, there have been some delays. Is this normal? I can only answer that with a question" "what is normal?" Are we all anxious for the Vision Study release. Absolutely! Will the plan ultimately benefit the Boro in many good ways? That's what we are all hoping for and we must all work together to make it happen!

In fact, portions of it have already been released over the past year and a half - particularly the parking garage part, which the town and county have been discussing. Perhaps, the later (than probably anticipated) release is a good omen since the Partnership has just hired Mr. Gatto, who no doubt will play a significant part in implementation of the economic development piece - to market the greater promise of the downtown to quality retailers and other businesses.

I'll keep everyone posted on what I hear.

Marc

Marc, that ws no knock on you or implying something wrong. It is very apparent from your posts that you were excited, and that excitement gave me the impression that it should be done quickly. Everyone says it'll be here, it'll be here. In the mix of all that is, talk of an initial study, a completed study and an updated study. It's all rather confusing from the outside.

Going back over everything, I'm just trying to piece it together.

I have not previously heard anything about a parking garage. Are there proposed sites? Is there a a written copy of something open to the public, or has it mostly been verbalized? (i.e., how can we learn more?)

[bergsteiger]

I have a vision.....

[stffgpr2003]

Nov -

I didn't take it as a knock. To know me is to know impatience. I'm an old NYC employment agency guy at heart. I cut my teeth in that business and that is among the fastest-paced businesses in the world. If you don't fill jobs quickly, you don't get paid and you lose clients. YOU DO THINGS NOW! I like to see things done immediately OR I often try to do them myself. Problem is...there are many things in life that I am unable to do on my own and that frustrates the hell out of me, like it does everybody else.

I am also a communicator. I know that aspect about me is appreciated and I do not plan on changing anytime soon, as long as people wish to engage me on a level playing field and discuss things for constructive purposes, only. I believe that communicating is the key to EVERYTHING. People want/need to know. I share what I can.

As for the Vision Study...we'll get there. And, keep asking questions, Nov.

I have not previously heard anything about a parking garage. Are there proposed sites? Is there a a written copy of something open to the public, or has it mostly been verbalized? (i.e., how can we learn more?)

There was a presentation at a Planning Board Meeting some time ago, when I was the appointed liaison. There might be something in the archives of the APP or NT. It seems to me that the county was concerned with utilization (shared use) of such a facility and there was even discussion about a garage with retail, on the bottom, facing Main Street from where the Hall of Records parking lot now sits (where we have our concerts). I think the main entrance was to be off Lafayette Street,

Marc

[lisas84]

All this talk of the vision study is reminding me I need to get my eyesight checked; just made the appt. after 3 years. Weird how things work out so cosmically. Thanks, Novillero!

[novillero]

Have we implemented any of the plans from the vision study?

Is there any plans underway for a garage (or has the economy tanked this idea for the meantime - I don't understand how we'd finance it in a good economy)

If anyone heard anything, let us know...