Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey Edward J
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Reimagining Bloomfi eld Streets Reimagining Bloomfi eld Streets Course: 970:510:01 Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy 33 Livingston Avenue New Brunswick, NJ 08901 Advisors Stephanie DiPetrillo Leigh Ann Von Hagen, AICP/PP Authors Eric Derer John Donadio Samantha Donovan Sharon Eilbert Eve Gabel Frank Ian Girardeau Ashley Hong Tyler Peter Jaime Phillips Thomas Ricci Katie Shepard Rebecca Son John Witsch Chen Zhang II Fall 2018 Acknowledgments The studio would like to express its gratitude for the assistance provided by the following groups and individuals, who volunteered their time and efforts to support this studio and its products. The opinions expressed in this report refl ect those of its authors. Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy at Rutgers University Alan M. Voorhees Transportation Center, Rutgers University Bloomfi eld Township: Michael J. Venezia, Mayor Matthew U. Watkins, Township Administrator Bonnie N. Flynn, PP/AICP, CFM, Planning Director Township Council Department of Health and Human Services Police Department American Planning Assocation, NJ Chapter, Community Planning Assistance Program (CPAP): Nadia Mian, PhD, Walter Franks, Brett Muney, Darrel Caine, Devon McGuinness & Nat Bottigheimer New Jersey Transportation Planning Authority (NJTPA): Tom Schulze, Jeffrey Vernick & Brian Fineman Zach Subar, NJ TRANSIT Gary Toth, Project for Public Spaces Bloomfi eld Center Alliance Greener Bloomfi eld Plaza Fitness BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIPNNewew JJerseersey III Reimagining Bloomfi eld Streets Th is page intentionally left blank IV Fall 2018 TABLE OF CONTENT 1. INTRODUCTION....................................................................1 2. DEMOGRAPHICS...................................................................7 3. STATION ACCESS.................................................................13 3.1 WHAT IS STATION ACCESS?.....................................15 3.2 EXISTING CONDITIONS...........................................15 3.3 BEST PRACTICES.....................................................22 3.4 RECOMMENDATIONS...............................................29 3.5 FUNDING SOURCES.................................................35 4. TRANSIT-ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT......................................41 4.1 EXISTING CONDITIONS...........................................43 4.2 ZONING ACCESS.....................................................53 4.3 SCENARIO PLANNING.............................................53 4.4 RECOMMENDATIONS...............................................62 5. PLACEMAKING....................................................................65 5.1 DYNAMICS OF WATSESSING ...................................67 5.2 PLACEMAKING AND PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT..............67 5.3 METHODOLOGY......................................................68 5.4 RECOMMENDATIONS...............................................73 6. POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS...............................................79 6.1 TRANSPORTATION..................................................81 6.2 ECONOMIC VITALITY..............................................91 6.3 EQUITY..................................................................96 6.4 HEALTH................................................................101 FIGURE & TABLE CITATIONS..................................................113 BIBLIOGRAPHY....................................................................117 APPENDIX: PLACEMAKING EVENT BOARDS............................125 ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS..........................................129 V Reimagining Bloomfi eld Streets Th is page intentionally left blank VI Introduction 1. INTRODUCTION 1 Reimagining Bloomfi eld Streets Th is page intentionally left blank 2 Introduction This report was produced for the Township of Bloomfield as part of the Fall 2018 Transit-Oriented Development and pedestrian/bicycle access studio course at the Rutgers University Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy. About the Studio: Transit Oriented Development and was officially designated as a Township under the pedestrian/bicycle access studio course at the Rutgers operating contract that still gives Bloomfield its University Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning designation today. and Public Policy created this report in conjunction with the New Jersey American Planning Association’s Despite Bloomfield’s ever-changing moniker, one Community Planning Assistance Program and constant for the Township since the 19th century public officials from the Township of Bloomfield to has been transportation’s pivotal role in catalyzing craft an equitable, strategic, and innovative plan for the municipality’s economic growth. In the 1800’s, the Watsessing Avenue neighborhood. The studio Bloomfield was on the forefront of transportation focused on four areas of investigation: Station Access, development. During this time, the Morris Canal was Redevelopment and Transit-Oriented Development, built through the region, creating a new supply chain Placemaking and Engagement, and Policy Evaluation route for many of New Jersey’s large manufacturers. and Recommendations. This, along with Bloomfield’s proximity to the quickly developing business center of Manhattan, spurred Bloomfield is in a unique and distinguished position industrial growth and caused residents to flock to the to learn from, and improve upon its neighboring area seeking employment in the bustling Township. development. To support learning from peer municipalities, this report draws upon examples The introduction of the New York/Montclair/ from surrounding towns to promote best practices. Greenwood Lake Railroad in 1856 further contributed The Township of Bloomfield is a 5.33 square-mile to the population growth, spurring infrastructure municipality located in Essex County, New Jersey improvements that allowed the population to nearly (Figure 1). It is located in the northeastern part of the double from 4,580 to 7,708 in the period between 1870 state about 15 miles from New York City. With train and 1890. This growth prompted the construction of connections from Bloomfield to New York City at the colonial style family homes, which began to shape Bloomfield Avenue and Watsessing Avenue Stations Bloomfield into the more suburban community that and to Newark, New Jersey from the Grove Street it is recognized as today. Light Rail Station, Bloomfield is well positioned to The 20th century marked the introduction of bus take advantage of the employment and entertainment transit to Bloomfield. The introduction of a bus opportunities in New York City and Newark. route from Paterson to the Lackawanna Railroad in This part of Bloomfield was once a thriving industrial 1923 and the beginning of the De Camp bus routes, area. Bloomfield was originally settled in 1666 as a still operating today, to New York City marked the part of the City of Newark. It was not until 1812 that beginning of Bloomfield’s commuting culture. The Bloomfield became its own municipality, separating completion of the Garden State Parkway in 1952 from Newark and taking its name from the local Presbyterian Parish named in honor of General Joseph Bloomfield. Finally, in 1893, the municipality 3 Reimagining Bloomfi eld Streets Figure 1: Map of Bloomfi eld further contributed to this culture and fostered which connects Bloomfield to Newark, Jersey City, development throughout Bloomfield in the form of and New York City via the Montclair-Boonton line garden apartments and high-rise buildings. run by NJ TRANSIT. This report designates a ½ mile radius around the Watsessing Avenue Station The exciting revitalization period that Bloomfield as the “study area.” The report analyzes the existing is beginning to undergo is due, in part, to its rich conditions of the study area, discusses best practices, history. Although the booming era of factory and provides recommendations for creating a production has long left Bloomfield, what was once stronger, more sustainable neighborhood. the site of the Township’s great manufacturers and As this historic and diverse neighborhood continues the homes of their employees, now provide a canvas to evolve, plans for revitalization and development of beautiful historic buildings and undeveloped lots must continue to grow alongside it. This report that serve as great assets towards redevelopment. is split into four chapters to best address each Additionally, the extensive multimodal network that component of the Watsessing neighborhood’s shaped Bloomfield’s growth during the past centuries resurgence. These four chapters are Station Access, is primed to transform Bloomfield into a thriving, Transit-Oriented Development, Placemaking, and vibrant, and diverse community. Policy Recommendations. Purpose of the Document Chapter 1: Station Access evaluates strategies for The Watsessing neighborhood, which houses the improving pedestrian, bike, and transit access to the Watsessing Avenue Station, is one of Bloomfield’s Watsessing Avenue Station. The chapter outlines most promising districts and is the cornerstone of the existing conditions in Bloomfield, best practices the revitalization plan for the southern part of the for green infrastructure and Crime Prevention Township. Located just east of the Garden State Through Environmental Design, and the results Parkway, the neighborhood’s strongest asset is its from the walkability and bikeability audit conducted proximity to the historic Watsessing Avenue Station,