Razing the past to build a future

Livingston's plan for upscale area is 18 months away

Wednesday, May 12, 2004

BY KATIE WANG

Star-Ledger Staff

When he was a youngster, Peter Schofel remembers riding his bike through Livingston to get to the Colony Theater in the center of town. The theater, housed in the Livingston Manor shopping complex, was a local destination because of its central location.

Yesterday, Schofel stood by and watched bulldozers claw through the dilapidated Livingston Manor complex, making way for a $60 million shopping and residential complex that is supposed to have the look and feel of a downtown.

"This is the rebirth of Livingston," said Schofel, now one of the principal developers of the Livingston Town Center complex.

The new center at South Livingston and East Mount Pleasant avenues that will feature upscale stores and luxury condominiums is supposed to have the aura of a downtown Main Street. The project is scheduled to be completed in about 18 months.

So far, Cold Stone Creamery, an ice cream franchise and Silverman's, a stationery store that occupied the old strip mall, have signed leases at the new town center. Schofel said negotiations are under way with other retailers, but would not reveal which ones they are.

But town leaders and developers have made no secret of their wishes to fill the retail space with upscale stores, restaurants and cafes for residents to stroll through.

"We needed a real downtown with small store shopping and nice restaurants," said Peter Klein, chairman of the Livingston Planning Board.

The town has grappled for years over the future of the site, which is considered a prized location because it is virtually in the center of town. Four years ago there was talk of giving the plaza a face-lift to spruce up the strip of buildings, which were considered a town eyesore.

Then a trio of local developers -- Eastman Management Corp., Roseland Property Co. and Jacobs Enterprises Inc. -- entered the picture with a plan to supplant the stoic, pale gray Livingston Manor with a cozy red brick shopping village that town leaders envision as a gathering place for residents.

The new plaza will feature 50,000 square feet of ground-level stores, 20,000 square feet of office space and a 228-space parking garage. It also will feature 114 single- family homes, townhomes and condominiums on the premises.

Mayor Gary S. Schneiderman said the next 18 months of the project will be interesting for the town and worthwhile.

Schneiderman rang a blue bell to mark the beginning of the demolition of Livingston Manor at a gathering of local dignitaries and developers. Within seconds, two bulldozers sprang to life and sank into the pale gray building, grabbing chunks of it.

In half an hour, most of the building was pancaked, oozing out twisted metal, yellow building insulation and bricks.

It will take two weeks to destroy the buildings. Some of the materials from the Livingston Manor, such as masonry and steel, will be recycled into the new project, said Schofel.

"It's kind of sad," said Schofel as he watched the bulldozers tear into the building. "There's a certain nostalgia with the building."

On the other hand, Schofel, a lifelong resident of the town, said it also marked a new beginning for Livingston.

"We drove by everyday, watching it fall into disrepair," he said. "We felt like we had to do something."

Katie Wang covers Livingston. She can be reached at kwang@star ledger.com or (973) 392-1504.




Razing the past to build a future Livingston's plan for upscale area is 18 months away Wednesday, May 12, 2004 BY KATIE WANG Star-Ledger Staff When he was a youngster, Peter Schofel remembers riding his bike through Livingston to get to the Colony Theater in the center of town. The theater, housed in the Livingston Manor shopping complex, was a local destination because of its central location. Yesterday, Schofel stood by and watched bulldozers claw through the dilapidated Livingston Manor complex, making way for a $60 million shopping and residential complex that is supposed to have the look and feel of a downtown. "This is the rebirth of Livingston," said Schofel, now one of the principal developers of the Livingston Town Center complex. The new center at South Livingston and East Mount Pleasant avenues that will feature upscale stores and luxury condominiums is supposed to have the aura of a downtown Main Street. The project is scheduled to be completed in about 18 months. So far, Cold Stone Creamery, an ice cream franchise and Silverman's, a stationery store that occupied the old strip mall, have signed leases at the new town center. Schofel said negotiations are under way with other retailers, but would not reveal which ones they are. But town leaders and developers have made no secret of their wishes to fill the retail space with upscale stores, restaurants and cafes for residents to stroll through. "We needed a real downtown with small store shopping and nice restaurants," said Peter Klein, chairman of the Livingston Planning Board. The town has grappled for years over the future of the site, which is considered a prized location because it is virtually in the center of town. Four years ago there was talk of giving the plaza a face-lift to spruce up the strip of buildings, which were considered a town eyesore. Then a trio of local developers -- Eastman Management Corp., Roseland Property Co. and Jacobs Enterprises Inc. -- entered the picture with a plan to supplant the stoic, pale gray Livingston Manor with a cozy red brick shopping village that town leaders envision as a gathering place for residents. The new plaza will feature 50,000 square feet of ground-level stores, 20,000 square feet of office space and a 228-space parking garage. It also will feature 114 single- family homes, townhomes and condominiums on the premises. Mayor Gary S. Schneiderman said the next 18 months of the project will be interesting for the town and worthwhile. Schneiderman rang a blue bell to mark the beginning of the demolition of Livingston Manor at a gathering of local dignitaries and developers. Within seconds, two bulldozers sprang to life and sank into the pale gray building, grabbing chunks of it. In half an hour, most of the building was pancaked, oozing out twisted metal, yellow building insulation and bricks. It will take two weeks to destroy the buildings. Some of the materials from the Livingston Manor, such as masonry and steel, will be recycled into the new project, said Schofel. "It's kind of sad," said Schofel as he watched the bulldozers tear into the building. "There's a certain nostalgia with the building." On the other hand, Schofel, a lifelong resident of the town, said it also marked a new beginning for Livingston. "We drove by everyday, watching it fall into disrepair," he said. "We felt like we had to do something." Katie Wang covers Livingston. She can be reached at kwang@star ledger.com or (973) 392-1504. Copyright 2004 NJ.com. All Rights Reserved.