The original Lackawanna Train Station track sheds should be preserved and used to house a new supermarket. The train track sheds are integral to the site’s historical identity.  The historic character and architectural quality of the space will lend itself to a superior shopping experience, a more attractive destination and an opportunity to activate and bring vibrancy to the important cross roads of Bloomfield/Glen Ridge Avenue and Grove Street.

The Montclair Historic Preservation commission (HPC) unanimously approved a memorandum to the Planning Board setting forth its conclusion that the creative adaptive re-use of the site retaining the entirety of the train station is absolutely compatible with the town’s desire to attract a supermarket. The Planning Board and Town Council should honor our community’s history.  There has been little consideration to-date by the developer (The Siena, Valley & Bloom, the new Hotel, Seymour Street Complex) for saving the train sheds and exploring a shared goal of attracting a grocery while preserving the site.

Background

The train line from Hoboken culminated at the Lackawanna Train Station, and the station was central to the growth of Montclair. The Lackawanna station achieved design accolades and won architectural awards when opened in 1915. It is designated as a National and State Historical Landmark and is located within the Town Center Historic District.

As a means to provide additional parking, the developer’s proposed plan is to demolish the train sheds which were the original linear canopy over the train platforms that sheltered train passengers. This bit of architecture was identified and recognized as critical to preservation even in the "tear-it-down 1980’s."  Under the oversight of Montclair resident Richard Blinder of Beyer Blinder Belle Architects and the community leaders, the developer constructed skylights to connect the sheds creating a natural-lit atrium space. This was and remains an elegant solution to preserve the fundamental legacy of the Train Station.

Presently, the Montclair Historical Preservation Committee (HPC) unanimously voted to preserve the train sheds and incorporate the 3 halls of glass atriums as part of the new supermarket, honoring and preserving both the train station and the thoughtful adaptive re-use solution of the 1980’s project

Now is not the time for the Planning Board and the Developer to stop the dialogue and the design iteration process when we are on the cusp of something truly extraordinary. All of the Montclair Community can be incredibly proud of and benefit from a solution that preserves the train station sheds and have a commercially vibrant and historically significant site. This goal is fully compatible with the goal to bringing in a supermarket.  At present the developer seeks the demolition of this attractive and fully viable  historic site on merely the speculation that he will attract a supermarket.  There are no contracts, LOIs or guarantees.

It would be grossly improvident and irresponsible  to permit the demolition of this historic and viable site (1) without a thorough  exploration of alternatives that preserve the Historic assets and produce better design and urban planning outcomes or to (2) permit the demolition solely on speculation, without a supermarket tenant specifically making a compelling case for the absolute need to do so.

There are many of exciting precedents for adaptive re-use of historical structures for contemporary services and amenities.*

Members of the Montclair HPC, Architectural Consultants from within and outside the community are fully prepared to collaborate with the developer and his architects to reach a mutually acceptable design and an optimal outcome.

Many of those who are following this project believe the entire community of Montclair, most specifically the 3rd and 4th Wards will benefit immensely from achieving a thoughtful and well-conceived design.

Please vote yes on this initiative before June 18 and invite others to do the same.

*Ghiradelli Square San Francisco  The High Line NYC, Reading Market Philadelphia, Chelsea Market, NYC, Faneuil Hall Boston, The San Francisco Ferry Building, Baltimore Harbor, and many others.