In what sounds like a deja vu, a group of Montclair homeowners, who live within eyeshot and earshot of Montclair State University, are having another “there goes the neighborhood” moment after word filtered out about the university’s plan to buy a single family home at 36 Normal Avenue.
In August of 2007, the same community was up in arms about the university’s plan to convert a home they owned at 30 Normal Avenue to a graduate dorm. With the addition of another Normal Avenue home to the campus inventory, a resident (who prefers to remain anonymous) says there’s fear that the university’s grand plan is to eventually take over the whole block – expanding the campus too close to the family-oriented neighborhood. Uncertain how the property will be used, residents hope to learn more at a community open house scheduled on campus next Tuesday. That’s when the university will present its campus beautification project known as the “College Avenue Promenade and Carlisle-Normal Avenue Improvements.” A group of 30 concerned residents have asked for a meeting next week with Councilor Rich Murnick to discuss details and implications of the plans.
Community Relations Director Julie Adams said in an email, that the meeting will give the public the opportunity to review and comment on the proposed enhancement project. The open house will be held in Room 419 of the Student Center on campus, 3 – 7 p.m.
To her credit, says a resident, Adams has made an attempt to reach out and be better connected to the community, establishing a new link on the MSU website.
What happened to the 30 Normal Avenue property? The plan for a dorm was scratched, but different departmental offices have moved in and out, according to a neighbor. She adds “we’re still concerned that the university properties on the block are not well maintained, and that the historic Bond house is in disrepair. All we can do now is to speak up – loudly.”
When I first read this headline, I thought this was a story about a perv loose on the MSU campus.
I thought the same MM. I figured it was someone wearing a ski mask.
Perhaps it should read Campus Sprawl.
Whatever you call it…MSU’s continued encroachment into adjacent residential neighborhoods is cause for concern. First, its takes residences off the tax rolls. Second, many of the houses the university is taking over are converted into student residences, very undesirable in a neighborhood of young families with small children. MSU has demonstrated that it is a very bad neighbor. The university has allowed the Bond House to become an eyesore despite repeated requests from neighbors and the township to fix it up. The university president continues building monuments to herself while thumbing her nose at Montclair. Enough!
ditto, Jerzee. MSU is tring to become a ‘college-town’..Also, it’s bad enough that Hovnanian cleared acres and acres of beautiful woods to build overpriced cardboard houses on Normal east of UMountain…
Not merely a Community Relations Liaison! Also, does this Director coordinate with the Director of Equality and Diversity?
Of course this is totally anecdotal, as are the arguments posted here to the contrary, but I’d say MSU campus is about 100 times nicer than it was 10 years ago when I had friends I would visit there.
GRADUATE student housing doesn’t exactly sound like a “there goes the neighborhood” threat.
Drob,
Yes, Graduate housing sounds more like professional law students inside their rooms typing away at computers. But it still turns the house into a multi family. And Cooking dinner in the backyard for 8 students tends to look like a party every time.
Best thing for residents on that block: Sell you house (maybe even to MSU)
Residents will always cluck about any change. It’s as inevitable as gravity.
What’s inevitable? The change or the clucking?
The residents of that area have the right to a reasonable lifestyle as taxpayers. Having large groups of students living next door to them will violate this right.
This will just end up being a drain on police resources.
MSU has proven they arent interested in anyone’s problems but their own.
They need to have their overreaching hand slapped.
I agree jimmy229. When I was looking for a home in the area there was a lovely home for sale on Normal and another on Upper Mountain a few houses down from there. I wouldn’t even look. Most people want to live in a “neighborhood” which means having homes occupied by “neighbors”. Not administrative offices and temporary residents in dorms.
Spot on, Mrs. M–I was waiting for a composite sketch of a guy in a raincoat….
The Morton’s Fish Sticks guy?
I meant Gorton’s
Jimmy,
What “right” are you talking about?
Anyone who chooses to live next to a school or Church or any other non-residential entity should not be shocked when that entity expands (or leaves).
But the idea of a “right to a reasonable lifestyle” is a new one.
Who defines that lifestyle?
Morons = People who buy a house near a park and complain when people park and bring their dogs/kids there.
Morons = People who buy a house near a RR track and complain when a train comes by and blows it’s whistle.
Morons = People who buy a house near a college – period!
“Most people want to live in a “neighborhood” which means…” Location… Don’t be a moron .
We tend not to agree on much teller, but you’re exactly right.
If you want good quiet neighbors do what I did, move next to a cemetery. It’s wonderful.
Pete,
And because this is New Jersey, your neighbors still get to vote!
I guess you can take it with you when you go.
I hear they’re dying to get into that neighborhood.
Doesn’t the Bill of Rights entitle all men to a reasonable lifestyle ? And, whatever happened to civility ? And the Town and Gown Society ? This is carrying NIMBY to an extreme, methinks.
“But the idea of a “right to a reasonable lifestyle” is a new one.
Who defines that lifestyle?”
I am a big believer of personal freedoms as long as it doesnt shit on the guy next to you. I expect to have my neighbors treat me and my property with respect. I do the same. To have a transient population with no skin in the game dropped into a neighborhood setting is a recipe for disaster for everyone excpet the school that doesnt care either way.
Prof, dont hand me that “you should expect this or that” line. By your logic, because I have a hand, you should expect me to hit you with it?
These people dont live next to the school, they live close. How close is too close is the answer soon to be discovered.
Is campus creep like cavity creeps?
How about a group home of one type or another ?