theSummitzone

The ambitious plan to re-development the 466-474 Springfield Ave site is coming before the City’s zoning board soon. The development concept includes street level retail, 2nd fl office and residential units on the top floors.  The existing buildings on the site will be demolished due to their poor condition.   Recent re-development projects in the downtown business district include 17-19 Union Place (Greg Alto) and 89 Summit Ave (John Colangelo). 

Nicholas Minoia, president of Diversified Properties, has announced the signing of Drug Fair as the anchor retail tenant is this mixed-use project.  Drug Fair will occupy about 12,000 Sf of retail space below the 22-unit condominium part of the project.  About 75 convenient off-street parking space are available for Drug Fair customers and other property users. An additional office space of about 3,900 Sf is available as well.  The development includes 7 single family homes which range in size from 2,465 Sf to 4,290 Sf. 

The Drug Fair is expected to open around November of this year, 2008. 

www.545morrisave.com

The property once considered by the seller as a site for development of affordable rental housing is now under contract for purchase by a local developer.  A closing is contingent on environmental work to be completed by the seller.  The name of the buyer and plans for redevelopment of the 2,500 SF site with an existing +/- 5,500 SF 3 story building in the CRBD is not known.

The Visual Arts Center of New Jersey will hold an outdoor exhibition of Fine Art and Crafts on Union Pl next to the train station.  Local artist will SHOW and SELL original handcrafted work.  Call for details 908-273-9121

www.artcenternj.org

The Summit Planning Board voted 6 to1 to approve the developer’s application/plan for Summit Place.  The first submission of plans were made to the board and the City’s technical review team around Sept 2007.  Several rounds of revised plans were done by the developer in response to board, City staff and public input.

The next step is for the Planning Board to review and ratify the developers plans subject to conditions of approval which were agreed to during the review process.  It is interesting to note that several members of the board as well as the developer expressed the opinion that this lengthy and often contentious process made reaching a conclusion difficult.  To their comments, I wonder what actions the board and City staff should take to improve the review process for large projects. 

Contact the Summt Chamber of Commerce for copies of the map directory-pick-up location, The Summit Sampler, corner of Beechwood Rd and Springfield Ave.   The directory lists downtown merchants, Summit Chamber of Commerce members and points of interest.  The directory also contains 2 maps- Summit area map and the center fold-out map of downtown Summit.

We thank our sponsors for supporting this project:

Lois Schneider Realtor

Grand Summit Hotel

New England Village Apartments

Karen Howells-Burgdorff Realtors

The Promenade at Summit

PNC Bank

Schering-Plough

The Summit Sampler

Summit Place (Re-development project of the former Summit Medical Group office site)

Overlook Hospital

Schechner-Lifson Corp

Fiorino Ristorante

David Cronheim Company

Beechwood Title Agencey Inc

Claremont Corporate Center (Re-development project of the Bradley Brough site)

Bassett Associates

Bouras Properties

Summit Downtown Map Illustration 

The following downtown restaurants provide outdoor/sidewalk dining service:

Village Trattoria 103 Summit Ave just south of Springfield Ave

La Pastaria Pasta & Pizza 327 Springfield Ave east of Summit Ave

Winberies 2 Kent Pl Blvd at the corner of Springfield Ave and Kent Pl Blvd

Broadway Grill 339 Springfield Ave. at the corner of Springfield Ave. and Summit Ave.

Monster Sushi 395 Springfield Ave at the corner of Maple St and Springfield Ave.

Summit Food Market 423 Springfield Ave between Maple St and Woodland Ave

The Office Beer Bar & Grill 61 Union Pl between Maple St and Beechwood Rd

Brix 67 67 Union Pl mid-block between Maple St. and Beechwood Ave.

Starbucks 2 Beechwood Rd at the corner of Union Pl across from the train station

Cafe Mavi 50 Maple St at the corner of Maple St. and Union PL

I Organic Mart

The new organic health food market opened on April 10, 2008.  The store is located at 31-37 Union PL across from the Summit Train Station.  The store is beautifully designed and stocked with an excellent selection of healthy foods

Bona Vita Osteria

A New restaurant concept is moving to 37 Maple St., former Rose and Berry Tea Room.  The canopy awning and store front work is completed and interior up fit work is being completed subject to City of Summit permit and approval process.

Faux Paws (338 Springfield Ave) A wholesome Pet Shop for Dogs and Cats

The space next to Lord Ivy will soon be home to a new pet care/products concept by owners Nikki Tongg and Sue Bavineau. 

The New Salon 44

Up fit work has started for the relocation of Salon 44 to retail space at 42 Maple St.  The move is expected to be completed by late May 08.

330 Springfield Ave.

The former Phoenix Restaurant is being remodeled to make way for a new restaurant concept.  This location is next door to the new Bella Fine Lingerie.

Summit Hearing Aid Center (73-75 Summit Ave)

The former ReMax Achievers Realtor space is making way for the relocation of Summit Hearing Aid Center so remodeling work can begin at the 75 Summit Ave space.

Di’Amci

The men’s clothing store which recently moved to 84 Summit Ave is on the move again.  The new location is 35 Maple St the former Century 21 Picciuto realty space. Century 21 Picciuto has moved to 1915 Morris Ave, in Union.

J. Mclaughlin

A new Women’s apparel store is located at 10 Beechwood Rd. Call 908-918-1801

Chez Barbara (formerly at 3 Beechwood Ave)

The catering business has moved to 247 Morris Ave. Springfield.  The 3 Beechwood space will be the new home of Brownie Points, a bakery concept.

The Silver Hanger Cleaners and the Bagel Chateau will be moving from 472 Springfield Ave.  The move will make way for demolition and future development on the site.  Silver Hanger is planning to move to 441 Springfield Ave (former David’s Imported Rugs).  The Bagel Chateau’s last day of business is March 3oth.  A new Summit location has not been identified at this time. 

Summit’s Magic Fountain opened this week.  Get your first taste of Spring with an ice cream, frozen yogurt or shake.  Visit soon, 498 Morris Ave. at the end of Butler Pkwy.  908-273-2565