Housing and Neighborhood Development Services, Inc.
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Housing and Neighborhood Development Services, Inc.
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Goals for Revitalizing The ValleyThese goals have been assembled from forums, community meetings and from previously published planning documents over a two-year period. The goals evolved from the opinions of hundreds of individuals who live, work or have a stake in the Valley. They encompass a wide range of visions and hopes for the future of The Valley, including improvements to the physical surroundings as well as strengthening the social and economic health of the area. Strategies for implementing these goals are listed in the following section. Information contained in previous plans and gathered from organized public discussion has been assembled into this “user-friendly” format.
Strategic Actions to Implement These GoalsThis plan includes individual objectives to achieve the Goals and identifies those strategic actions, which are currently committed or are in the planning stages and estimates their cost and timeframe. Some strategic actions will be funded with Neighborhood Revitalization Tax Credit funding being applied for by HANDS, Inc. Other identified objectives have not yet been adopted for implementation or don’t have funding commitments. This document is viewed as a work-in-progress and best reflects those strategies which are of highest, immediate priority to move ahead the revitalization process.Make your voice heardPlease submit your comments and ideas about these Visions, Goals and Strategic Actions. You can reach us by e-mail at patrick@handsinc.org
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 | Organize residents into groups to combat crime and grime. |
| Community groups should be formed to use specially allotted funds to enact their vision of how to depict the history of the neighborhood. |
| Establish a leadership training for parents for PTA and intervention programs. |
| The NPP state funding expires in February, 2004. NPP is governed by a Community Advisory Board and is seeking to create a nonprofit corporation to continue its work beyond 2004. |
| Create a Valley Arts task force to plan arts activities, events, workshops and programs. |
| Create or locate low cost, rental space for community groups, and community events. |
Cost: TBD Timeframe: 2004-2007
Sources:
TBD
Cost: $45,000 Timeframe: 2004
Sources: NRTC and grant funding
Goal
# 3 - Improve Housing Conditions in The Valley
| Provide financial and technical assistance to assist homeowners to fix up their homes. |
| Vacant units and units owned by absentee owners could be purchased, rehabilitated, and then resold to homebuyers by a fund and group formed for this purpose. |
| An “Officer Next Door Program” should be implemented to encourage police officers to live in the Valley. |
| Add to current homeownership efforts with a homebuyers education program that includes savings incentives, credit counseling, and more grants. |
| The vacant, problem properties in the Valley need to be acquired, rehabilitated and resold to owner-occupants. (See Goal #5) |
| The City of Orange should strengthen efforts to reduce the number of illegal residential units in the Valley. This could be done with stepped up inspections by the City, along with asking residents to help with enforcement. This would require a program to inform residents about the problems associated with illegal units in the area. |
| Orange should form a program to provide relocation assistance in the event of displacement. |
| Local programs and funds should be geared toward an Owner-Occupancy Initiative Program with fixed-rate home mortgages to provide for immediate home improvement needs. |
Time frame:
2004-2006.
No cost.
Time frame: 2004.
Total cost: $________ Timeframe: _____________
Sources: NPP
No cost:
Timeframe: 2004
Total cost: $300,000 Timeframe: 2004 – 2007
Sources: PNC Bank, Well Fargo
Bank, County of Essex, Federal Home Loan Bank, NRTC funds.
Total Cost: $1,000,000 Timeframe: 2004-2008
Sources: Unidentified at this
time
Goal
# 4 – Redevelop vacant problem properties
| Research the ownership and search title to each problem property. |
| Utilize
all legal powers to clear title obstacles. |
| Secure
loan and grant financing to develop the properties. |
| Rehabilitate
the properties and sell them to first time buyers. |
No additional cost.
Timeframe: ongoing
Total cost: $1.5 - $2.3 million Timeframe: 2004-2006
Sources: NJHMFA-UHORP XI, County
of Essex HOME funds, bank loans.
Total Cost: $750,000 - $1,000,000 Timeframe: 2004-2006
Sources: Private equity capital,
bank loans.
Commercial
areas along Scotland Road, Central Avenue, Freeman Street and Valley Street are
significant resources for convenient shopping, local jobs, and tax ratables.
They have much potential for improvement in their appearance and sales.
The OMC, UEZ, and Rutgers report have all cited improving commercial
areas as important part of revitalizing The Valley.
| Bookstores, florists, video stores, clothing, music, electronics, appliances, and jewelry stores should be brought into the area, not just convenience goods |
| New store buildings should be mixed-use, with retail on the lower floors and residents on the upper floors. |
| The UEZ has suggested a “Four Corners Project” to restore past prominence to the intersection of Scotland Road and Central Avenue, by adding parking and improving aesthetics with new facades and trees. |
| The Orange Planning Board has ordered a “blight” study of the commercial area as a first step toward possibly declaring some of the locations a Redevelopment Area which would then create a redevelopment plan. |
Cost: $400,000 Time frame: 2004.
Sources: Private
equity and bank financing
Cost: $540,000 Time Frame: 2004
Sources:
Cost: __________ Time Frame: _____________
Sources: NPP
Cost: $500,000 Time Frame: 2004-2005
Sources: Transportation Equity
Act for the 21st Century
Goal
# 6 - Redevelop Pivotal Underdeveloped Sites – F. Berg, Monroe, All Saints
The F. Berg hat factory complex has been vacant and vandalized for years. It is a fire and public safety danger. The Monroe Complex is a 3.2-acre site with four large building and is currently for sale. The site could be used to improve the commercial/retail business in the area. The Rutgers study and the OMC named this area as important to the revitalization of The Valley. The F. Berg Hat Factory at Nassau and Jefferson streets (these buildings – 65,000 sq. ft.) should be redeveloped as loft housing, commercial space and community arts space.
| The City of Orange should produce a redevelopment plan for the Monroe Complex and both sides of Mitchell Street. The plan should capitalize on the location of the site near the Scotland Road and Central Avenue business districts. The Plan should encourage new uses that would contribute to goals set out in this plan, and uses that will compliment the redevelopment of the F. Berg building on the same street... New uses should be mixed-use with retail on the first floor and residential units above. The building should be up to four stories tall, and oriented toward the street to encourage pedestrian access and a livelier street, with limited parking in the rear. The area needs a major supermarket. |
The congregation at All Saints
Church is small and decreasing. In 2002 the long-time pastor retired and the
church considered a merger with two nearby Episcopal churches.
This four-building complex may be available in the near future.
| Determine what use for the area would best help the community and discuss with the church the desires of the community. |
Currently a “blight” study is being conducted to
determine the area where these properties are located should be declared a
Redevelopment Area. If it is
declared, a Redevelopment Plan will be developed which will determine the
parameters for developing these key sites.
1. HANDS is the contract purchaser of the F. Berg hat factory complex which will be rehabilitated as a mixed use of industrial, commercial and community arts space.
Cost: $7.5 million Timeframe: 2005
Sources: NJEDA, NJRA, New Market Tax Credits, private equity, bank financing
2. The Monroe Calculating Company site is for sale and maybe under contract by February, 2004. The purchaser hopes to redevelop the old building and the site as residential.
Cost: $16 million Timeframe: 2007
Sources: Private equity capital and unidentified public
and private sources.
Goal
# 7 - Assure Safe Streets in The Valley
| Lighting should be improved at intersections, pedestrian areas, and bicycle crossings. |
| Appropriate street lighting levels should be determined and implemented. |
| There should be an effort to reduce street clutter, eliminate physical obstructions, and maintain visibility at the same time as more trees are planted along Scotland Road. |
| Efforts should be made to add the Urban Enterprise Zone efforts of “The Supplemental Police Project” |
| The existing median on Scotland Road should be widened and extended along all four lanes. The median should also be landscaped and paved. |
| “Bulb outs” should be constructed at the intersections of Scotland Road with Central Avenue, Mitchell Street, and Highland Avenue. |
| Raised textured crosswalks should be constructed at all intersections along Scotland Road and mid-block at Highland Lofts. |
| The community would like decorative lighting, as suitable for a historic neighborhood, installed in the business area. |
| Strengthen the community’s role in efforts to address crime in the area, building upon past efforts to build a Community Watch program in cooperation with the police to combat a drug problem in the area. (See goal #1) |
| Create a police substation at Highland Avenue train station. |
| Add more mailboxes in the neighborhood. |
Goal
# 8 - Improve the Area’s Appearance
| Sidewalks should be uniform. |
| Benches and trees should be added to Scotland Road and among the other business districts. |
| Efforts should be taken to add to the UEZ programs for “Supplemental litter Control” and the Façade Improvement Program.” |
| Plantings should be used to create a visual screen for traffic, and a psychological buffer for other uses. |
| Implement the NPP’s five-year program aimed at sidewalk repairs, business and home façade and interior improvement, and street trees. |
Goal
# 9 – Establish an “arts district” and involve artists in the community
Art
activities and culture give a community its identity, provide education and
expression for children and contribute to the attractiveness of a neighborhood.
There are very few opportunities for children, adults, and seniors to
participate in artistic and cultural events.
The Valley is an attractive location for artists. The OMC, Seton Hall
University and UEZ named bringing artists and cultural opportunities to the area
as important economic development goals.
| Support efforts by HANDS to purchase the F. Berg Hat Factory to create a mixed-use redevelopment project that include a community arts center. HANDS is already working with groups of artists, educators, and community leaders on this project, and hosted the First Annual Neighbor Works Day – Arts in The Valley in June, 2003. NPP hosted its third Valley Art Music and Poetry Festival in July, 2003. |
| Designate the Valley as an Arts District and establish it as a destination for arts programs, events, and activities. |
| Provide awards to local artists based upon talent and local involvement. |
| Employ local artists for part-time jobs in the schools. |
| Develop affordable studio space for artists- create an artists-in-residence program to involve artists in community- based workshops and activities. |
| Expand the arts programs at Valley Settlement House and Forest Street School. |
| Expand the annual Valley Art, Music and Poetry Festival. |
| Develop live/work space for artists. |
| Develop community-based arts activities serving young people. |
| Create a Valley Arts Project Task Force to guide the business planning for creation of a community arts center. |
| Investigate establishing an arts-oriented pre-school. |
| Create a small theater/performance space and an all purpose community room. |
1. Create an arts task force to plan Valley Arts Project and create a business plan for launching it.
Cost:
$45,000
Timeframe:
2004
Cost: $280,000 Timeframe: 2005
Sources: NJEDA, New Market Tax Credits, bank financing, grant funds.
Cost: $TBD Timeframe: 2004
4. Establish an Artist-In-Residence program that attracts artists committed to community arts program.
Cost: $100,000/year
Timeframe:
2005
Sources: Foundation and arts
funding sources.
Goal
# 10 - Improve the Highland Avenue train station and bus transportation
The station is one of the most significant assets of this
well located neighborhood. It allows residents easy and quick transportation to
nearby jobs and cities- Newark, Hoboken, New York City and the western New
Jersey suburbs. The Rutgers Report, the UEZ, and the OMC each describe the
Highland Avenue station as important and in need of improvement.
| Efforts should be made to reopen the station building, possibly with coffee newsstand and vendors. |
| Traveler information should be posted and a community bulletin board should provide directions to major attractions. local events and historic and cultural information. |
| Petition Department of Transportation for a Transit Village designation. |
| Commercial development, such as coffee or newsstand, should be added to the station building and surrounding area. |
| NJ Transit should provide Midtown Direct service to the Highland Avenue station. |
| Investigate a Valet Service with dry cleaners, flowers, and takeout diner. |
| Create access to the station from Jefferson Street by buying a parcel of land that that backs up to the westbound platform in order to preserve access to these platforms. |
| Through its “Train Trestle Improvement Project” he UEZ is working with NJ Transit and local businesses to repair equipment and fences around the station. |
| Install
a bus bay along with a bus shelter in front of the Highland Avenue Station. |
| Restore #44 bus service to Valley Street. |
Goal
# 11 - Improve Metcalf Memorial Park
| Metcalf is a large and beautiful city park. It is major asset to the community and should be improved and used for more community gatherings and events. The park should be kept safe and useable. The NPP has named the improvement of Metcalf Park as one of the city initiatives. |
| Repairs should be made on the basketball courts, bathrooms, pool house, and baseball fields. |
| Benches should be added. Lighting should be improved and more garden beds and flowering trees. |
| The park should be beautified with Neighborhood events should be held there. Involve residents in these efforts and add funds to those already contributed. |
| The NPP has allocated funds of $30,000 to improve Metcalf Park. The NJ Safety Grant has given $10,000 for equipment, and the state grant of $500,000 for beautification. More local efforts and involvement should be added to these funds. |
| Regularly schedule events in the park, including park clean ups. |
Cost:
Timeframe:
2. NPP has allocated $ for the 4th Annual Valley Art Music and Poetry Festival.
Cost:
Timeframe:
Sources: NPP
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Develop senior citizen housing and more senior activities. |
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Expand the teen mentoring program at
the Valley Settlement House. |
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Expand the teen activities at Our Lady
of the Valley beyond one evening and Saturday morning. |
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Increase the available sites for
affordable child day care for working parents. |
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Create a youth soccer program at
Metcalf Park. |
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Develop a location for daytime
programs for seniors. |
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Develop an outdoor chess location to
attract area chess players |
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Develop a First Aid station.
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For
many young families with young children, Forest Street School (K-5) is the
center of Valley life and a primary institutional link with hundreds of
families. A recent addition and
renovation greatly improved the physical plant.
1. The Board of Education is actively seeking sites in the Valley to establish a preschool for 3-4 year old children.
Cost: TBD Timeframe: 2004-2006
Sources:
State Abbott School funding
| Valley History |
| About the Valley Plan |
| Vision and Goals |
| HANDS' Valley Projects |
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Copyright © 2007
Housing and Neighborhood Development Services, Inc.
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