Tuesday, February 28, 2017

Urgent Care Centers Coming to Bloomfeld and Nutley


Bloomfield, New Jersey: A nationwide chain of urgent care centers is planning to open two locations in Essex County. 


MedExpress centers are set to come to Bloomfield and Nutley, according to the website of the Morgantown, West Virginia-based company. Although exactly where the Nutley location will be has not yet been revealed, according to a legal notice from the Bloomfield Planning Board, the Bloomfield location will be situated within the Bloomfield Plaza shopping center at 135 Bloomfield Avenue, near the corner of Grove Street. The notice states that the company is planning a 716 square foot expansion of the existing space. The board will hear the proposal on Tuesday, March 7th at 7:00pm at the Bloomfield Municipal Building.

It is not yet clear when the two urgent care centers will open in Essex County, but once the ribbon is cut, their hours will be 8:00am to 8:00pm daily, the company website states. There are MedExpress locations in 15 states, with 16 current New Jersey centers and 12 additional ones planned.

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Photo of the Day 2/28/17


A new mixed-use development is planned for this vacant building at 37-57 Branford Place in Downtown Newark.

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Monday, February 27, 2017

Photo of the Day 2/27/17


This wooded lot across from City Hall in Newark is slated to become a mixed-use development. A 83,068 square foot building with five stories is being planned by Broad Hill Partners Urban Renewal LLC. According to a legal notice, the new mixed-income complex is slated to include four studio apartments, 72 one-bedroom apartments, and eight two-bedroom units, in addition to over 9,000 square feet of retail space on the ground floor facing Broad Street. Plus, 42 parking spaces are planned for the rear of the building, which is expected to be LEED certified, according to city records.

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Sunday, February 26, 2017

Photo of the Day 2/26/17


This photo shows the Old First Church and the former National State Bank Building on Broad Street in Downtown Newark.

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Saturday, February 25, 2017

Photo of the Day 2/25/17


This photo shows the Van Buren Branch of the Newark Public Library.

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Friday, February 24, 2017

Photo of the Day 2/24/17


This photo shows the Hahne and Company Building in Downtown Newark.

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Thursday, February 23, 2017

Photo of the Day 2/23/17


This sign, reading 'The Truest Charity Trains the Poor to Help Themselves', is engraved into the Newark Female Charitable Society Building on Halsey Street.

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Wednesday, February 22, 2017

Photo of the Day 2/22/17


This photo was taken at Newark City Hall.

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Tuesday, February 21, 2017

Photo of the Day 2/21/17


This photo shows Newark Penn Station with the Dock Bridge in the background.

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Monday, February 20, 2017

Photo of the Day 2/20/17


Essex County Place broke the news in December that this long-vacant lot at 45-53 William Street could soon contain a 39-unit mixed-use development. The proposal was granted preliminary and final site plan approval in January by the Newark Central Planning Board. Jarmel Kizel Architects and Engineers, Inc. posted a rendering of what the project could look like when completed.

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Sunday, February 19, 2017

Photo of the Day 2/19/17


Hundreds of planes fly over the Passaic River in Newark daily while preparing to land at Newark Liberty International Airport.

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Saturday, February 18, 2017

Photo of the Day 2/18/17


This photo shows Fulton Street in Downtown Newark at sunrise, with the Midtown Manhattan skyline in the distance.

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Friday, February 17, 2017

Photo of the Day 2/17/17


This photo shows the former Science High School on Rector Street in Newark, most of which is currently being demolished to make way for the One Riverview high rise tower.

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Thursday, February 16, 2017

Photo of the Day 2/16/17


This photo shows the exterior of Newark Penn Station.

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Wednesday, February 15, 2017

Hearing to Discuss Dropping the 'Township' in South Orange's Official Name


South Orange, New Jersey: Plans are moving forward for the Township of South Orange Village to simply be called South Orange Village. 

According to legal notices, the South Orange Board of Trustees passed an ordinance on first reading on January 23rd to authorize the filing of a petition with the New Jersey state legislature seeking the adoption of a special law for an amendment to the Township of South Orange Village's special charter. The plans not only call for changing the municipality's name from the 'Township of South Orange Village' to 'South Orange Village', but also include proposals to change the name of the governing body from the 'Board of Trustees' to the 'Council', change the name of the role of 'Village President' to 'Mayor', and to turn the name 'Village Treasurer' into 'Chief Financial Officer'. 

South Orange is one of just four villages in the state, and is currently New Jersey's only municipality with a 'Village President' instead of a 'Mayor'. 

The South Orange Board of Trustees will hold a public hearing and second reading to further consider the adoption of the ordinance during its meeting at 8:00pm on Monday, February 20th at the South Orange Performing Arts Center.

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Photo of the Day 2/15/17


This photo shows the Newark Walks tour stop opposite the Ballantine House in Downtown Newark.

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Tuesday, February 14, 2017

Photo of the Day 2/14/17


This photo shows a view of Newark's South Ward, including Newark Beth Israel Medical Center, from Maplewood.

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Monday, February 13, 2017

Mobil Gas Station Coming to Broad Street in Newark


Newark, New Jersey: Construction is underway on two new businesses at the site of a vacant parcel in Newark.

A Mobil gas station and a 2,000 square foot convenience store are coming to 1139-1153 Broad Street, between Murray Street and Gillette Place, in the city's East Ward. The site where the gas station and store are rising has largely sat vacant for at least a decade, despite its location at one of the main southern gateways to Downtown Newark. A house that once stood near the Murray Street side of the lot was torn down several years ago.

Manuel Rosa, the owner and broker of Belleville's Rosa Agency, told Essex County Place that "the gas station will be the first anywhere on Broad Street, and will help continue the development moving down the Broad Street corridor", adding that "it will be a major convenience for motorists, who currently have no option to service their vehicles as they come into and exit from the City of Newark via Broad Street".

The 24/7 facility, which is being developed by Lilac Development Group, was approved with conditions by the Newark Central Planning Board in 2015. The businesses are expected to open this April, according to Rosa.

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Photo of the Day 2/13/17


This photo shows Columbia High School in Maplewood as seen from South Mountain Reservation.

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Sunday, February 12, 2017

Photo of the Day 2/12/17


This photo shows the Ballantine House and 33 Washington Street in Downtown Newark at dusk.

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Saturday, February 11, 2017

Photo of the Day 2/11/17


This photo shows the hills near Kinnelon in Morris County as seen from Bloomfield Avenue in Caldwell.

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Friday, February 10, 2017

Taste of Montclair Event Returning in March


West Orange, New Jersey: An annual local culinary tradition will return to Essex County next month.


The Montclair Rotary Club's Taste of Montclair 2017 will be held on Monday, March 13th, from 5:30pm to 9:00pm, at The Manor, located at 111 Prospect Avenue in West Orange. At least 40 Essex County restaurants, including Bluff City BBQ, Chatni Indian Restaurant, Ahrre's Coffee Roastery, and Gelotti, will serve a variety of cuisine to attendees. All of the food and drink served at the event, which, despite its name, has never been held within the Montclair township limits, will be donated by the participating restaurants. Plus, Jack the Jackal, the mascot of the New Jersey Jackals baseball team, is set to make an appearance.


Early bird tickets to Taste of Montclair 2017 start at $64.29. All proceeds will go to the local charities supported by the Montclair Rotary Club, including Toni's Kitchen, the Human Needs Food Pantry, The Salvation Army, S.O.F.I.A, Succeed2Gether, and the Montclair Township Animal Shelter.


Click here to learn more about the 2017 event and here to purchase tickets.


-Note: Essex County Place is a media partner of Taste of Montclair-







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Photo of the Day 2/10/17


This photo shows the main overlook at Eagle Rock Reservation in West Orange.

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Thursday, February 9, 2017

New Businesses Planned for Bloomfield Lot


Bloomfield, New Jersey: A tract in Bloomfield could soon see several new uses.

According to a legal notice, Voglino Properties, LLC, of Wayne, Passaic County, is planning significant modifications for the lot at 5 Wood Street, just off of John F. Kennedy Drive North and Race Street. Currently, a 60-year-old industrial building used by A&R Restaurant Equipment stands at the site, along with a garage. Voglino's plans call for converting the garage into a car wash, and to convert part of the building to be used for automobile detailing and minor repairs. In addition, the notice shows that a new convenience store is also slated to open in the remaining portion of the building. The company is now seeking minor site plan approval and variance approval for the project.

The Bloomfield Zoning Board of Adjustment will hear the proposal on Thursday, February 16th at 7:00pm at the township's Municipal Building.

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Photo of the Day 2/9/17


This photo shows the sunset at Newark's new Prudential tower.

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Wednesday, February 8, 2017

Empanada Shop Opens in Downtown Newark


Newark, New Jersey: A grand opening celebration will be held next week for a new restaurant in Downtown Newark.

Cordobesas has come to 85 Mulberry Street, between Commerce Street and Raymond Boulevard, in the city's East Ward. According to the Newark Community Economic Development Corporation, a grand opening celebration will be held on Tuesday, February 14th at 11:30am. The business, owned and operated by two sisters, specializes in "the best tasting empanadas", but also serves alfajores, sandwiches, tacos, omelettes, baked goods, and beverages. It is open for breakfast and lunch.

The space, located under a parking deck, was previously occupied by Lakay Caribbean Restaurant and Nicky's Cafe & Grille. 

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Photo of the Day 2/8/17


This photo shows the Eagle Rock Reservation gazebo in West Orange.

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Tuesday, February 7, 2017

Photo of the Day 2/7/17


This photo shows Military Park in Downtown Newark at sunset.

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Monday, February 6, 2017

Photo of the Day 2/6/17


The Verrazano-Narrows Bridge and the Downtown Newark skyline can be seen from Eagle Rock Reservation in West Orange.

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Sunday, February 5, 2017

Photo of the Day 2/5/17


This photo shows Newark's Barringer High School.

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Saturday, February 4, 2017

Photo of the Day 2/4/17


This photo shows a view of Morris County from Caldwell.

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Friday, February 3, 2017

Photo of the Day 2/3/17


The Military Park Station on the Newark Light Rail was once called the Broad Street Station.

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Thursday, February 2, 2017

Redevelopment Planned for Vacant Part of Newark Hospital


Newark, New Jersey: A historic building on the campus of Saint Michael's Medical Center in Newark's Central Ward could soon be rehabilitated.

The four-story structure designed by prominent Essex County architect Jeremiah O'Rourke has towered over the corner of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard and Central Avenue since 1871, making it Newark's oldest hospital building, but it has sat vacant for nearly a decade. Now, several local organizations are planning to revitalize the building to once again make it a center of the University Heights community. 

Plans by the Community Asset Preservation Corporation (CAPC) of Halsey Street, in partnership with the Downtown-based Hanini Group, Lincoln Park-based Crawford Street Partners, and Chatham, Morris County-based CTS Group, call for transforming the building into an 88,000 square foot "arts and cultural incubator for Newark nonprofits and educational institutions," according to CAPC Real Estate Director Jeffrey Crum.

“Bringing a creative theme to that section of Newark will really have a positive impact and only expand what’s already starting to happen in that area of the city,” said Crum in an interview with Essex County Place.

Crum stated that once the rehabilitation is complete, an arts-focused charter school will take up close to 35,000 square feet, though the school operator has not yet been revealed. In addition, GlassRoots, which currently operates a glass blowing studio and gallery on Bleeker Street in Downtown Newark, is set to take around 18,000 square feet. Other parts of the building, including a former chapel, could be occupied by local art galleries that are currently being affected by the increased cost of rent in Downtown.

"We’re hoping to offer an affordable space that non-profits and artist groups can occupy long-term,” Crum explained.

Newark's Landmarks and Historic Preservation Commission heard the proposal on Wednesday night, and developers are hoping that the Newark Central Planning Board will hear the plans by early March. Construction is set to begin in the summer, and could be completed by late spring of 2018. The project is not slated to receive city funding, but is set to receive funds from the New Markets Tax Credit program and historic tax credits due to the building's location in the James Street Commons Historic District, according to Crum. 

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Photo of the Day 2/2/17


This photo shows the Midtown Manhattan skyline as seen from West Orange.

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Wednesday, February 1, 2017

Hue Lofts Development Coming Near East Orange Train Station


East Orange, New Jersey: Another new development project is planned for the City of East Orange. 

The project, called Hue Lofts, is slated to rise along North Arlington Avenue near City Hall Plaza and Main Street, at the site of a currently gated and vacant tract opposite the main East Orange Train Station. East Orange Public Information Officer Connie Jackson told Essex County Place that the $70 million project will be developed by Novus Equities, of Jersey City, and will include residential space, live/work spaces for artists, an art gallery, a small amphitheater, and both national and regional retailers. 

"The developers have committed to hiring at least 20% of employees from East Orange for the entire project - construction to completion", said Jackson. 

East Orange's mayor, Lester E. Taylor, III, addressed the development during his State of the City speech last week, stating that "this project will be the flagship of our arts and cultural district", and that the live/work spaces will "bring the arts back to our community".

Construction is slated to begin in March, and should be completed within 18 to 24 months, according to Jackson.

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New Restaurant Opening at East Orange Golf Course


Short Hills, New Jersey: There will soon be a restaurant again at a local golf course.

Johnny's on the Green, a restaurant on the premises of the East Orange Golf Course in the Short Hills, closed its doors back in 2012, and the course, located in a remote section of Millburn Township near East Orange's water supply source and the Livingston border, has been without a restaurant in recent years. In 2014, East Orange city officials announced plans to demolish Johnny's on the Green, renovate the 91-year-old course, and build a new 6,000 square foot clubhouse with a restaurant. Although part of the course reopened in 2015, construction continued through 2016 on the new clubhouse, described as "state of the art" by East Orange Mayor Lester E. Taylor, III during his State of the City address last week.

Now, the clubhouse is slated to open in late spring of this year. The new restaurant on the property will be called Par 440 Restaurant and Lounge, named for the course's location at 440 Parsonage Hill Road. East Orange Public Information Officer Connie Jackson told Essex County Place that Mario LaVecchia of South Orange's Above Restaurant will operate Par 440. The City of East Orange entered into a license agreement with Team LaVecchia, LLC in May, 2016, according to city records.

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Irvington SuperFresh Seeks to Sell Alcohol


Irvington, New Jersey: A supermarket that recently opened in Essex County is now seeking to sell alcohol. 

According to a legal notice from the Irvington Township Zoning Board of Adjustment, Lyons Meat and Produce, Inc., which is registered out of the SuperFresh at 471-479 Lyons Avenue in Irvington, has applied to the board for permission to sell wine and beer within the supermarket at Lyons Plaza near the border of Newark's South Ward. SuperFresh, which is owned by Key Food, opened in the summer of 2016 in the plaza, in the space previously occupied by Pathmark. 

The board will hold a public hearing regarding the proposal on Tuesday, February 7th at 8:00pm in the Municipal Building's council chambers.

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Photo of the Day 2/1/17


This photo shows sunset on Park Avenue in Newark's North Ward.

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