Politics & Government

New Retail, Office Building Planned for Springfield Avenue

Demolition will begin Oct. 1.

The Summit Common Council approved plans presented by Mark Yeager of MRY Associates Tuesday regarding the proposed construction of a 35,000-square-foot building that would replace the existing structure at 466-474 Springfield Avenue.

Yeager said the site presents "a series of challenges" and as such, his firm has engaged the police and fire departments, city engineer and the parking authority to find the safest and most efficient way to demolish and rebuild at the location that formerly housed Bagel Chateau. 

The first phase of the plan - demolition - will begin Oct. 1 and continue through Nov. 18. Yeager said during that time fencing and signage will be erected to direct traffic into the tiered garage through Maple Street. Traffic would exit the garage onto Springfield Avenue. 

During the holiday season, fencing would be moved to allow shoppers greater access to stores. 

Yeager said in the spirit of transparency he plans to hold an introductory meeting for neighbors on Wednesday in Council Chambers at City Hall and following that, will send out quarterly letters with updates as the project is ongoing. He added that his email address and phone number will be on all correspondence should neighbors want to reach him. 

In January, the fence will be reinstalled and will remain there for approximately 11 months. Yeager said he anticipates the disruption to traffic being completed prior to the 2014 holiday shopping season. He said work on the interior will be done during late 2014, with the project's anticipated completion scheduled for first quarter 2015. 

Additionally, Yeager asked the council for relief from parking fees, seeking the daily rate of $25 per day per vehicle be reduced to $10. As such, Yeager said he estimates that the parking authority stands to gain $20,000 in parking fees during the duration of the project. He anticipates requiring up-to seven meters in and around the building. He also asked for relief from the city's construction schedule, stating that in order to keep the project moving along he'd like to be able to have work done at odd hours and weekends. 

Yeager said that while he recognizes that one-way-in and one-way-out of the garage is "less than ideal" he hoped the council could see that given the constraints it seems to be the "best solution to a less than perfect set of circumstances."

Council president Richard Madden complimented Yeager on making "this huge investment in Summit," while Councilman Patrick Hurley referred to the project as "inconvenient but necessary."

Leasing information can be obtained by calling JC Giordano III at 973-939-3866 or via email at jc.giordano@am.jll.com 

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