New Jersey Bike & Walk Coalition is leading a community outreach effort for the proposed Essex-Hudson Greenway project by hosting a virtual public presentation on the Greenway for the Montclair community on Wednesday, March 31th at 7:00PM.
The proposed Essex-Hudson Greenway is a nearly nine-mile long, multi-use trail corridor following the abandoned Norfolk Southern rail line between Montclair and Jersey City. When complete, this greenway is expected to create more than 135 acres of new green space and improve options for active transportation (biking and walking) in North Jersey. You can view more details about the greenway and sign up for updates on this website: https://www.essexhudsongreenway.org/
The purpose of this presentation is to update the community on the status of the project, share initial details, and share ways we can work together to support the project. The meeting will last around 1 hour and include a 20-25 minute presentation followed by Q/A and discussion.
Those interested in attending can register at this link – http://bit.ly/EHGMCLR
I’m watching this with nothing but enthusiasm. So many questions answered. So many robust answers to digest. Also, I appreciate how specific the answers were tailored to Montclair’s not-quite 2 acres…or less than 700 linear feet. I also appreciate the planned purchase will include subterranean rights to remediate. But, the absolute best part for me is the commitment to Montclair’s 4th Ward neighborhood. As the NJBWC moderator said, this project has been in the works for twenty years. Yes, twenty years! Yes, for the few in the 4th Ward that remember, 20 years ago was when an out-of-town entity did a Cross-Bronx Expressway swath through the Pine Street neighborhood for Montclair’s and other communities greater railroad good. And we get to do our smarter, better, 2022 version of that Cross-Bronx Expressway.
I’m so excited! Of course, I live in the 1st Ward.
My only question at this sensitive stage is why doesn’t Montclair just buy the segment within our borders? The land is priced at about $500K/acre. Our Council just bought less than a half acre on Park St (for parking!) at a rate of $3MM/acre. Clearly, we can afford it. Or maybe it is about something else? Maybe we should keep our eyes open….or not.
Anyway, just my 2 cents.
Sorry, I was being disingenuous and deceptive in suggesting I had only one question.
I do wonder about the private land acquisition adjacent to the greenway right-of way. Not just Sherman St, but along Pine Street (e.g. 127).
As far as administration, I’m partial to the idea of merging Essex and Hudson Counties. The synergies could be amazing. Like a once-in-a-generation opportunity.
I am concerned that NJ Transit’s Innovation initiative could be a real change-up. Remember folks, NJT was the lead on the Montclair Connection 3o years ago. Our own mini knock-off of the Cross-Bronx Expressway concept.
Also remember Montclair wanted, and got, this entire area, a half mile in every direction, designated as a Transit Village. Read the rule book. I forget who writes the rule book.
Anyway, all very confusing.
The only thing you have to keep front of mind is that, clearly, nobody knows how this could play out. Lot’s of ways this could go and Montclair is being positioned by NJBWC as the clipped tail on this dog. So, it comes down to one word: CONTROL
Do we have any? Do we want any? If yes, is it control or just input? I it over just process – or policy? This is Public Realm stuff. Why I keep harping on lately. Sure, open space always a good thing. I support it. How do you want it allocated?
Just a little photographic reality courtesy of MPL’s photo database… for anyone interested.
http://www.digifind-it.com/montclair/pages/P6838.php?zoom_highlight=p6838
This is Montclair’s segment of the project. Just over 2 football fields in length, from the near side of the wood bridge to the top of the curve in the track.
What about today? Replace this bridge with a cement version, add a hodgepodge of trees & brush to the very steep slopes on each side, and a lack of corporate good-citizenship and you now know what is there now.
Some proportions and distance assistance:
The bridge span is 102′. The railroad right away is about 100′ wide, essentially the distance between the top of the respective slopes. American trains run on tracks spaced 4 ½ ‘ apart.
Mountainside’s 680-space parking deck replaced the houses on the right & runs from Bay St to about halfway down the line.