South Park Street Redesign Finally Moving Ahead

     Tom Lonergan, executive director of the Montclair Center Business Improvement District, has long complained about South Park Street's narrow sidewalks, angular parking, and overall glut of wasted space.

     But now the long race to have South Park Street redesigned is finally nearing the finish line.

      At a Township Council meeting Tuesday night, Township Manager Marc Dashield said that he hopes to have a contract ready within a week or two so that a design consultant can be hired to complete the project within 12 months.

     "We want to bring in a consultant who can help with designs," he said, adding that he hoped to have a contract for a consultant ready to present to the council at its next meeting.

     Dashield noted that South Park Street had been a focal point for revitalization efforts for years.

      On Wednesday, Lonergan said that the project has been a BID priority for more than six years.

     "Much of the money for this project has been bonded by the town in past years, though more will likely be needed," he said.

     In 2004, the BID contracted with the urban design firm Streetworks to devise a 10-point strategy for rebuilding and rebranding the downtown district as a more pedestrian and retail-oriented destination.

     At the top of that list was the redesign of South Park Street as an "outdoor living room" in the heart of the central business district.

     "South Park Street's existing angular parking, narrow sidewalks, and 60' wide road bed are crumbling and completely incompatible with the block's burgeoning reputation for shopping, dining, and downtown living," Lonergan said. "While the devil is always in the details, the big picture will ultimately include widened sidewalks, enhanced landscaping, and various streetscape supplements to help improve the street's appeal and appearance."

     The idea is to extend the villagey feel and amenities of Church Street to South Park Street.

    In the past, Lonergan has called South Park Street — downtown Montclair's widest block measuring 53 feet wide — the ugliest street in the business district.