Ferren Mall Demolition to Begin Around November 1

[Tango Two]

Demolition of the Ferren Mall and parking deck will begin on or around November 1. This marks the beginning of a process that will last approximately five months to ready the four-acre site for a large redevelopment project that will bring new dining, office and open public space to the area.


http://thecityofnewbrunswick.org/blog/2016/10/24/ferren-mall-demolition-to-begin-around-november-1/

 

[rufancoe00]

happy b-day to me !

 

[srru86]

No regrets, there must be a better use for the space. But boy this makes me feel old. I remember when the big news was moving the Rutgers bookstore to the exciting new building downtown.

 

[scarlet night]

Very happy to hear that! Been waiting for this to happen and was beginning to feel pessimistic since it's been quiet on this front. If the project gets completed it will be a huge boon for the city in my opinion.

 

[rumikenike]

That's awesome. I agree, this project is going to be huge for the city. Hopefully, they're going to be able to bring a major corporation there right across from j&j. Fingers crossed on that one.

 

[scarlet night]

@Cofifa any tidbits you might be able to share at this time?

 

[Tango Two]

Ferren Redevelopment Plan:

http://thecityofnewbrunswick.org/pl...OPMENT-PLAN-2016-7.05.2016-Plan-Bd-Review.pdf

 

[RU-Choppin-Ohio]

No regrets, there must be a better use for the space. But boy this makes me feel old. I remember when the big news was moving the Rutgers bookstore to the exciting new building downtown.

@srru86 Me to. I remember how bringing more students into downtown NB was a big deal. Remember the old crappy bookstore on College Ave ?

 

[RUnTeX]

:clap: [thumb2]

Nice to hear that something is finally moving on this front...

 

[srru86]

@srru86Remember the old crappy bookstore on College Ave ?

Yes, it was pretty ghastly. The Gateway version is a quantum leap better.

 

[RUnTeX]

Yes, it was pretty ghastly. The Gateway version is a quantum leap better.

I'd take your quantum and raise you another quantum. I'd say Gateway is quantum leap better than the Ferren version....have to go another q-leap to bridge the gap from Gateway to the old CA version.

 

[srru86]

I'd take your quantum and raise you another quantum. I'd say Gateway is quantum leap better than the Ferren version....have to go another q-leap to bridge the gap from Gateway to the old CA version.

True enough.

 

[RUSK97]

Fantastic news. While I personally don't find Ferren Mall decrepit, the barriers and fencing around it makes the whole area look horrendous.

 

[retired711]

It's now five weeks past November 1 -- is the demolition going on?

 

[RUSK97]

It's now five weeks past November 1 -- is the demolition going on?

If it is, they're doing it as quiet as a mouse.

 

[Korbermeister]

If it is, they're doing it as quiet as a mouse.

Yes

If it is, they're doing it as quiet as a mouse.

It's now five weeks past November 1 -- is the demolition going on?

Going, going...

 

[RUSK97]

Whoa! It was still standing last week!

 

[Zak57]

@Cofifa has disappeared!

 

[higgins3]

Like other poster mentioned, it is going and the community is happy about it.

 

[RUSK97]

https://www.tapinto.net/towns/new-brunswick/articles/as-ferren-mall-demolition-progresses-city-looks

Progressing slowly, but surely.

 

[Tango Two]

Click picture to enlarge:

 

[Tango Two]

Cool drone video:

 

[Zak57]

Is Clyde'z being torn down as well in the top left building of the picture TT posted?

 

[Scarlet83]

Is Clyde'z being torn down as well in the top left building of the picture TT posted?

No Clyde'z was there yesterday, when I walked by.

 

[RUskoolie]

Clydz is fine. They are working fast on demo.

 

[Zak57]

Would be great if they could totally refurbish the train station if not fully replace it after this project. It's going to look so out of place.

 

[Korbermeister]

Would be great if they could totally refurbish the train station if not fully replace it after this project. It's going to look so out of place.

replace it?? do you consider the day Penn Station was torn down a holiday??

 

[Zak57]

replace it?? do you consider the day Penn Station was torn down a holiday??

NYC Penn Station was an architectural beauty. New Bruns station is a dump. How can you even compare the two??

 

[Korbermeister]

NYC Penn Station was an architectural beauty. New Bruns station is a dump. How can you even compare the two??

1. it wasn't considered an architectural beauty by those who wished it torn down

2. its commercialization and neglect obscured its beauty

just like Penn Station

The big difference is that the New Brunswick Station is on the National Historic Registry (#43) so it can't be torn down under normal circumstances

 

[rufancoe00]

the train station just needs an extensive rehab. surprised it wasn't' renovated when the Gateway went up as they are practically connected.

 

[RUSK97]

the train station just needs an extensive rehab. surprised it wasn't' renovated when the Gateway went up as they are practically connected.

Isn't it NJ Transit property? Your neighbor's house may look like crap, but you can't go fixing it up 'cause it ain't yours.

Agree with you of course that it needs extensive rehab.

 

[Zak57]

1. it wasn't considered an architectural beauty by those who wished it torn down

2. its commercialization and neglect obscured its beauty

just like Penn Station

The big difference is that the New Brunswick Station is on the National Historic Registry (#43) so it can't be torn down under normal circumstances
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natio...aces_listings_in_Middlesex_County,_New_Jersey

A refurbishment is fine with me then. It needs to get done one way or the other though.

 

[Cofifa]

New jersey Transit would have to refurbish train station and because of it eligibility for the National Registry it would have to be renovated to historic standards which will be ver expensive

 

[RUSK97]

Yeah, I vote for the bucket, mop and strong bleach solution. Not that NJ Transit would even do that. Hey, Cofifa, any idea who paid for Princeton's new dinky station?

 

[sct1111]

New jersey Transit would have to refurbish train station and because of it eligibility for the National Registry it would have to be renovated to historic standards which will be ver expensive

So I guess it's just going to remain run down and crappy for years to come. What a shame.

 

[Korbermeister]

So I guess it's just going to remain run down and crappy for years to come. What a shame.

Probably, unless they partner with a private business. There are worse stations that should be a priority like EliZabeth station , where part of the NYC bound platform is blocked off by a chain link fence because of safety concerns.

 

[srru86]

Hey, Cofifa, any idea who paid for Princeton's new dinky station?

Princeton U.
“NJ TRANSIT is supportive of improvements to the Princeton (Dinky) Station that would benefit our riders, the University, and the community. … And, of course, the University’s pledge to “devote its own resources to all aspects of the project” that it estimates to cost more than $300 million is an outstanding investment in the future of the community.”
Richard R. Sarles Executive Director NJ Transit February 2, 2009
They already had bought the old buildings from NJ Transit years ago.

 

[RUSK97]

Princeton U.
“NJ TRANSIT is supportive of improvements to the Princeton (Dinky) Station that would benefit our riders, the University, and the community. … And, of course, the University’s pledge to “devote its own resources to all aspects of the project” that it estimates to cost more than $300 million is an outstanding investment in the future of the community.”
Richard R. Sarles Executive Director NJ Transit February 2, 2009
They already had bought the old buildings from NJ Transit years ago.

It's good to be the king...um, er...prince.

 

[Tango Two]

The Ferren Mall Parking Deck's final days are here.

The Paterson Street parking deck is set to be torn down in its entirety by the end of the weekend.

"Actually, demolition of the site is going to be completed by this weekend," said Jennifer Bradshaw, the public information officer for New Brunswick. "Cleanup on the site is going to continue for an undetermined amount of time."


http://www.mycentraljersey.com/stor...n-mall-parking-deck-being-torn-down/99318250/

 

[Tango Two]

Saw this posted online:

Click it to enlarge: