(erielack) Dover "Transit Village" workshop Dec 10

["Gary R. Kazin" <gkazin_@_yahoo.com>]

12/01/01 - Posted 11:34:25 PM from the Daily Record newsroom 
Workshop will focus on future of Dover 
By Michael Daigle, Daily Record

DOVER — Town officials want residents and business owners to walk around
the town and think about the future.  Their ideas will be welcomed at a
workshop Dec. 10, when the town and consultants for NJ Transit will
discuss the concept of a transit-friendly village.  "It is the intent of
this planning and design study to use the rail station as a catalyst to
spur economy revitalization of the downtown," Mayor Richard Newman said. 
"This workshop is part of the process where you can share your ideas about
the future."

NJ Transit consultants spent several weeks studying an area within five
minutes’ walking distance of the train station on Dickerson Street — a
section of town roughly bounded by Park Avenue, Bassett Highway, Route 46
and Mercer Street.

To prepare for the session, Newman suggested that residents look around
the
 study area, take notes and photographs to illustrate their ideas, and
then register for the workshop. The town planning department is taking
registrations at (973) 366-2200, ext. 154.  Newman said it is important
that residents participate in the process because they know the town well.

NJ Transit paid for the study as part of a statewide program to improve
transit facilities and to lure residents and business back to urban
centers.  Former Gov. Christie Whitman launched the transit village
program in 1999.  The idea is to help towns that have passenger rail
stations develop nearby areas into mixed-use neighborhoods, providing
access to public transportation, recreation, shopping and housing.

Morristown launched its transit village plan in October.

Developers Roseland Property Co. of Short Hills and Woodmont Properties
LLC of Parsippany are the developers.  The village will consist of 226
apartments, 8,000 square feet of retail space and 780 parking spaces, 400
of which will be for commuters.  Woodmont is the company chosen to develop
the town’s former landfill on Mount Pleasant Avenue.

For most of its 280-year history, Dover was one of the main town centers
in Morris County, but it saw a decline after World War II, as did many
older towns.  In the 1970s, an urban renewal project leveled blocks of
old, unsafe buildings along Dickerson Street and other downtown streets.

In 1996, NJ Transit launched MidTown Direct service to New York, which
carries passengers into the city with fewer stops. The service increased
NJ Transit’s passenger load on the line by 30 percent.

In 1997, the town floated the idea of a transportation hub — a combination
transit center and shopping area. The plan called for attracting outlet
stores that would anchor a center of commuter-oriented services.

Michael Daigle can be reached at mdaigle_@_morristo.gannett.com or (973)
989-0652.

http://www.dailyrecord.com/news/01/12/01/news5-DOVMEET.htm

=====
Gary R. Kazin
DL&W Milepost R35.7
Rockaway, New Jersey

New Jersey Transit - THE WAY TO GO!!!

(I have no affiliation with New Jersey Transit.)

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