Sunday, July 02, 2006

"New Urbanism" Coming To Wood-Ridge

From the Record:

'Next Big Thing' in Wood-Ridge
By JAMES AHEARN

A TRENDY, large but human-scaled "New Urbanism" development is to begin rising this fall in Wood-Ridge, an unpretentious town of 7,600 people in southern Bergen County.

Wood-Ridge is a densely settled community and the development will cover 80 acres, prompting the question: Where will they put it? The answer: in an old parking lot, a vast expanse of rutted asphalt and weeds used now to store tractor trailers.

In World War II the lot served an adjacent factory, the Curtiss-Wright aeronautical plant that made engines for B-29 bombers, including the Enola Gay, the plane that dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima. The factory was immense, a single building under a roof that spread over 32 acres. The workforce included many women, Rosie the Riveters who worked in shifts around the clock.
...
First thing he saw was the rail line that ran along the western edge of the tract. This was NJ Transit's Bergen Line, which carried commuters from Northwest Bergen to the PATH terminal in Hoboken, where they boarded trains to Lower Manhattan. The Bergen Line has since been connected as well to the new Secaucus Junction rail transfer station, providing a ride to Midtown Manhattan. The line had stations in Garfield, north of Wood-Ridge, and in Rutherford, south of it, but none in Wood-Ridge.

Duany started with that. He would build a station in Wood-Ridge, like the historic Mission-style station in Ridgewood farther north, but better, he said, across the tracks from a new town center, which would have a ceremonial tower and an open plaza for public events. There would be a variety of homes, all within walking distance of the station and town center, which would have stores and offices.
...
The plan that was ultimately reached envisions 737 residential units, increasing the borough's population by a third. The development, on 80 acres, will be called Wesmont Station. It will include a new public middle school, two baseball fields, a running track, and a field for football and soccer. The school, to be built by the developer, will be financed with property taxes paid by Wesmont Station. The athletic facilities and rail station will be provided free of charge to the borough.
...
Of the residential units, 217 will be single-family houses, 135 rental apartments, 131 condos, 77 condos for seniors, 166 town houses and 11 work-live spaces for artists and craftsmen. Prices and rents have not been announced, nor can I find any mention of state-required affordable housing.

9 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

another dead nj town

7/03/2006 08:24:00 AM  
Blogger Metroplexual said...

This could actually be a plus for the town. Anything this guy has done has been a success. Kentlands in Maryland, Seaside in Florida ( The Truman Story town, yes it is a real place).

7/03/2006 09:53:00 AM  
Blogger grim said...

Agree, this project is very, very interesting.

grim

7/03/2006 09:58:00 AM  
Blogger Metroplexual said...

As for the COAH obligation, it sounds like from the mix of types of housing that they are incorporating it (probably through a growth share ordinance). COAH requires for every eight market based units on affordable. Third round allows up to 1/4 senior, requires 1/4 rental and the rest for regular units.

7/03/2006 10:47:00 AM  
Blogger Metroplexual said...

Duany projects links among many.

http://www.kentlandsusa.com/
http://www.seasidefl.com/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prospect_New_Town

7/03/2006 01:52:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Who would want to live in Wood-Ridge? Come on now,Fess Up.

But, it's Bergen County.

7/03/2006 03:53:00 PM  
Blogger Metroplexual said...

New Urbanism actually attracts new residents from what I have seen. It creates a focus for the town.

7/03/2006 06:20:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

ya, right. Wood-ridge, like a
third world town. please.

7/04/2006 06:07:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Instead of the typical Italian restaurants/pizzarias, nail salons for the spoiled pampered lazy housewives, we might actually see some good diversity with other ethnic food restaurants...finally!

9/16/2006 07:52:00 AM  

Post a Comment

<< Home