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To the Editor:
I enjoyed Gabe Donio’s opinion piece in the
April 16 edition of The Gazette. Like Donio, I
am happy to see the new developments that are
occurring in and around our downtown area.
However, although I am all for this
revitalization effort, I am not in favor of the
haphazard nature in which it is occurring. While
I understand the challenges involved in getting
large tracts of adjacent parcels for
redevelopment, I challenge our local leaders to
seriously consider options that would lead to a
systematic revitalization of Bellevue Avenue,
especially the downtown and areas close to the
train station.
As Donio noted, Hammonton’s location makes it an
excellent venue for such development. A
redevelopment plan that encompasses mixed uses
e.g. offices, restaurants, banks and residences,
all within walking distances from the train
station and other public transportation nodes
would go a long way in enhancing the
attractiveness of our downtown area. This is
especially true if this plan encompasses
redeveloping and revitalizing unused and/or
underutilized buildings (brownfields) in that
area. Imagine a development in which you could
park your car (or bike) at one place and walk to
Trina’s, browse through Simply Stationery,
discuss your calling plans with John by the
railroad tracks, stop by Bagliani's and then
proceed to Fiesta Mexicana or Iliano’s and then
hit Casciano’s on your way back to your car,
bike or bus/train station.
Last weekend I had the privilege of accompanying
a colleague on his Sustainable Communities field
trip to North Jersey. Among others, we visited
Washington Township (now Robbinsville), Belmar
and Asbury Park. I was impressed by what I saw
in Robbinsville. They have redeveloped a large
area just outside their central business
district and included mixed use businesses,
professional offices, condominiums, and
recreational areas. The changing household
structure, more singles and empty nesters, is
cleverly reflected in the diversity of housing
options offered.
Their development could be thought of as high
density. I know most people cringe when they
hear the term high density, and for good reason.
The type of high density development that has
been done in the past generated problems because
it created living space for low income residents
in isolated places with little or no opportunity
for employment and/or recreation. As a result,
such high density development created an
environment that fostered crime and otherwise
stable communities suffered.
The high density mixed-use development that I
saw in Robbinsville includes people of all
income levels, and clustered residences are
within walking distances to shops, places of
employment, public transit and recreation.
Automobiles are not the main feature of these
residential areas, with carports and roads
neatly tucked away in the back. The streets
leading up to the fronts of the houses are
narrow and pedestrian friendly, allowing for
space for children to play, and neighbors, young
and old, to mingle.
I moved to Hammonton about two years ago and I
love this town. However, I must admit I am not
happy about the fact that I live in a sprawl
development and I cannot walk anywhere and/or
use public transportation unless I drive at
least two miles to the train station. In fact, I
cannot think of any place that I can visit in
this town without getting into my car. The way
my development is set up, I would have to drive
just to visit someone on the cul-de-sac behind
my house, unless I dare walk the dangerous two
miles of asphalt that separate us (although our
houses are much closer to each other than that).
If downtown Hammonton had condominiums and more
opportunities for food, entertainment,
relaxation, clustered business within walking
distance of each other and a place that would
foster professional development, I would happily
move there. I have talked to many young
professionals who feel the same way. Young
professionals at my place of employment in
Galloway do not even consider Hammonton a cool
place to live because there is just nothing for
them here. Hammonton just does not provide the
type of accommodation and support functions of
entertainment, food, and relaxation that help
retain them here. I have tried to recruit a few
to no avail.
One of the encouraging developments in our town
has been the formation of the Green Committee.
We have a dynamic and active Environmental
Commission, MainStreet Hammonton and other civic
groups that strive to make this a safe,
prosperous and livable community. I challenge
everyone to work together to chart a new way
forward.
Tait Chirenje
Hammonton
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