Clifton's Older Districts

by Joe Hawrylko

While commercial districts on the outer rim of Clifton are doing well, these are trying times in Clifton’s urban districts on the east side.

In Downtown Clifton, the Genardi building, a location once envisioned as the anchor for the Main Ave. commercial district, has been unable to attract its anchor tenant. The two-story structure underwent renovations after a blaze in 2007. The complex entails seven retail and professional tenants as well as two second floor apartments.

The biggest disappointment was when the franchisee for Perkins, a national family restaurant chain, failed to get funding. After a year’s worth of negotiations, the restaurant was anticipated to be the centerpiece to the Downtown corner. And after the year of waiting, building owner Corey Genardi is now back at block one to find a replacement.

“There’s nothing on the table. Right now, Clifton Trends, my existing tenant, has an idea of putting in an outlet store,” he said of the larger space. “I don’t know how this would come together, but it would be a good idea if it could.”

The vacancy in question is a 6,215 sq. ft. storefront, with fronting on Clifton Ave. and access to parking behind the building.

“Joe (Provenzano, owner of Clifton Trends) is looking for the whole space. He’s looking to put in 35 to 40 vendors,” explained Genardi. “It could work out if it comes together with the city. He already spoke with Dan Howell (of the Zoning Board) and he says there’s no problem with that.”
Genardi also noted that, despite the signs on the front windows, Clifton Trends is staying open.
“He’s not closing up shop, just doing a promotion to boost business,” he said.

That means the outlet store remains a potential option, although it hasn’t even entered the planning stages yet. But if it doesn’t manifest into a tangible plan, Genardi may subdivide the property.

“I don’t want to do that unless I have to,” he said. Genardi’s first preference is to find a restaurant that would serve as an the anchor.

“I think that building and the area warrants a restaurant, even though it was a restaurant that burnt the place down,” he said of the former Clifton Main Diner. “That’s what everyone’s asking for it. The seniors are looking for it.”

Finding another eatery to anchor the property is still the first priority for the city. “Progress in the inner city corridors hangs on services, not retail,” explained Economic Development Director Harry Swanson. “That’s evidenced by the inability to fill up the Genardi building.” Swanson illustrates his point by looking down Main Ave., towards Passaic, where Ft. Lee Federal Savings Bank is nearing the end of construction. A major foundation issue last winter delayed work on the three-story building.

Just last year, First Bank Americano opened in the center of town, making it a competitive area.
Further down Main Ave., there’s more developments in the works near the Passaic border. The Bergen Passaic Ambulatory Surgery Center is currently exploring plans to expand their services, which would also include a walk-in, full-medical facility.

Dr. Shams Qureshi, owner of the property, has acquired adjacent homes and commercials properties behind and to the left of his main structure. “In order to get this project, there will have to be a major concession,” explained Swanson, who said that, depending on the plans used, the project could be anywhere between 22 to 40 parking spaces deficient.

However, Qureshi recently put up signage in violation of local ordinances. Swanson said that may make city officials reluctant to issue needed variances because of the violations. In 2008, short-term health care was the third largest commercial trend in Clifton. At time of publication, Qureshi was not available for comment.

Another long term vacancy along the Clifton-Passaic border, the former Bellin’s Pool site, may finally be nearing a new life.

The latest plans call for a 27,000 sq. ft. supermarket on the property. This will replace the original plans, which called for a mixed use, retail and residential complex.

“Basically, there were parties that wanted to use the whole building,” explained David H. Van Dam, the Wayne attorney who represents the project’s owner. “The way it was originally set up, it was dividable into nine or 10 stores, plus it had a bank with a drive-thru.” Not wanting to have his options limited, developer Peter Evgenikos scrapped the concept plans and began negotiations with Save-A-Lot, a midwest-based supermarket franchise.

To accommodate the project, Evgenikos is looking to purchase the now vacant Teddy’s restaurant, on an adjacent building lot.

“Buying Teddy’s has not been completed yet,” said Van Dam. “It’s under contract. It’s going to allow us to move the building closer to Main Ave.”

While it’s still in the negotiation stages, Van Dam said the supermarket will include both butcher services and a liquor store. A parking lot for 116 cars has also been included in the plan, a sufficient number according to the current zoning laws. “We will need a use variance, since it’s a split zone, both residential and commercial,” said Van Dam. “But that was previously approved for the other development.”

Van Dam is in the process of acquiring a demolition permit so that construction can begin in the late part of 2009. “We’ll probably have the plans done in January.”

Botany Village

In Botany Village, renovations are proposed for the old Strand Theater building. The Parker Ave. structure is currently being looked at by Joe and Martha Fonseca, owners of Pacific Concrete.

“The first floor would be several stores with offices behind them,” explained Frank Carlet, the attorney representing Pacific Concrete. “The second floor would be expanded to include some more housing units.”

The Fonseca family is seeking to expand on the mixed use services already offered in the building. Carlet and his clients will be attending a Zoning Board meeting on Jan. 21 to hear the ruling on their request for a variance. While he’s optimistic that it will be approved, Carlet still expects some opposition.

“Is there anything involving housing that’s acceptable to the City of Clifton?” he asked. “But I think because of the location, we can make them affordable housing units and satisfy some of the city’s (state mandatory quotas) need with that.”

Elsewhere around the neighborhood, the Clifton Historic Botany District (CHBD) is taking measures to deal with the economic slowdown.

The CHBD is the governing body that oversees Botany’s Special Improvement District, which is funded through a self-imposed tax collected from residents and business owners.

“Obviously, we have our challenges with the city budget and the city matching funds for us,” explained Greg Mayo, executive director of the CHBD.

Doing more with less has become the district’s mantra. For the holidays, the CHBD bought their own decorations instead of paying a vendor. Costs were cut in half for this year and next year, and the CHBD will own the decorations in 2010.

“The main thing we’re worried about is the city budget,” said Mayo. “Are they going to be able to help supplement the cleaning and security programs we’ve got going on here?”

Lakeview and Lexington

In Lakeview, a small group of merchants have an eye towards the future, attempting to drum up more interest in the avenue.

“We’d also like to do some arts type activities. Maybe some book readings at certain locations or artists of the month,” said Evelyn Malave, President of the Lakeview Merchants Association and owner of The Corner Outlet. “Some places have jazz or blues festivals. We’re trying to figure out activities that are whole family oriented and I think that’s where arts on the avenue will come in.”

On Lexington Ave., Provident Bank will anchor redevelopment plans for the neighborhood. The new building is taking shape and is slated for an opening in the first half of the new year.

The Lee’s Hawaiian burnout tract at Piaget and Lexington Aves. still remains vacant, as the developer looks to find a suitable development for the property.

The former Capa D’Anno restaurant is marked for demolition this spring. Century 21 Casa Real Latino aims to build a two-story professional building on the foundation of the former restaurant. The plans are currently in the approval process with the city.