Friday, November 30, 2012
Township has eminent domain rights over embattled property
A judge ruled Friday Bloomfield Township has eminent domain rights over the dilapidated Lackawanna train station, ending a months-long legal battle between the township and developer Howard Haberman. The ruling justifies the township's decision to condemn 14 Lackawanna Pl., a crumbling eyesore located at the heart of Bloomfield's downtown redevelopment project. Under eminent domain, Bloomfield had planned to fix up the station to make it safer and more convenient for commuters. "Bloomfield's stated purpose for the condemnation of the train station is to provide safe and convenient public access to the NJ Transit platforms," wrote Judge Patricia Costello in court documents. "Nothing in the record demonstrates a motive to the contrary. "The …
Monday, October 15, 2012
Parking deck to be located in Glenwood Village, the heart of Bloomfield's downtown redevelopment project
The long awaited Glenwood Village will soon begin to take shape in Bloomfield, starting with the construction of a 468-spot parking garage for commuters, shoppers and residents. The deck, located across the street from the Bloomfield Avenue train station, is the first phase in the town's downtown redevelopment project. It will be located at the heart of Glenwood Village, a three-acre hub comprised of 50,000 sq. ft. of retail space, 10,000 sq. ft. of restaurant space and 224 apartments. "This is more than just a parking garage. It's more than just residential," said Mayor Raymond McCarthy Monday at a ceremonial groundbreaking. "It is truly the heart and soul of what Bloomfield is about." Glenwood Village was approved by the town's planning …
Friday, September 7, 2012
After a September 7 postponement, a Superior Court judge will rule October 4 on the Eminent Domain case filed against the township by Bloomfield Train Station owner Howard Haberman.
The issue of whether the Township of Bloomfield can take the section of the Bloomfield Train Station by eminent domain is headed to court. Howard Haberman, a Bloomfield developer, is contesting the township’s decision to seize his property, which they say has become rundown and dilapidated. Haberman has countered that he wanted to develop his portion of the train station into a retail and restaurant complex and said instead of eminent domain, the township should negotiate with him. The two sides will appear before Judge Patricia Costello on Friday at 1:30 p.m. in state Superior Court in Newark. Haberman’s attorney, Anthony Della Pelle of Morristown, charged that the township of Bloomfield “deliberately misled Haberman and his firm – …
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
Howard Haberman says he's "deeply disappointed" by Bloomfield township's decision to condemn his property and wants to work with the town to build near the train station.
Developer Howard Haberman said this week that he is "deeply disappointed" by Bloomfield's decision to use eminent domain to condemn his part of Bloomfield train station. And he vowed to fight the decision in court. Haberman said he was dismayed that Bloomfield "has chosen to condemn our company’s Block 220 train station property rather than work with us to develop a first class restaurant, retail and office complex consistent with my father’s vision." However, the township countered that Haberman has had years to rehab the property – which is covered in graffiti and has become an eyesore in the town. “If he wanted to develop the property, and his father wanted to, why hasn’t he?” responded Glenn Domenick, Bloomfield’s Director of …
Anthony
8:02 pm on Friday, September 7, 2012
For over 10 years he's had a chance to take care of his property but did nothing. Its about time someone stepped in to do something more ›