Visions for Vacancies: What Should Take the Place of Former Dealership Property?

The comments keep pouring in to Livingston Patch regarding your visions for vacant spaces around the township and last week was no exception.

What do township residents want most for these vacant spaces we’ve highlighted? The overwhelming request continues to be for a supermarket — an alternative to the ShopRite and Kings already in the township.

Christina told us via email she would like to see a Whole Foods for one of the vacant buildings we’ve highlighted over the past few weeks. Readers Mark and Karen agreed.

A Livingston Patch comment from Me said an Aldi Food store would make them happy.

Last week, when we focused on the vacant Office Depot store located at 585 W. Mount Pleasant Ave. near Toys R Us, we also heard from Margaret, who told us she would like an LL Bean store to take over that space.

Other suggestions included a kid’s amusement place like a Funplex would work there.

This week, we cross Mount Pleasant Avenue from Office Depot and ask what you’d like to see at the former car dealership pictured above.

Each week we’ll present a new vacant building and ask you to tell us what you think would be the best use of the vacant space.

Here's the fun part: Forget what zone it’s in. Ignore setback regulations, as well as dump lot coverage rules and all the other zoning jargon that puts most people to sleep.

Our bottom line: If you had your way, what would you like to see there? What would be the best use of the space for the community?

To make this work, this can’t be a one-sided conversation. We want to hear from you in our comments section. And, please, let us know if there’s a vacant space/building you know of as well we can feature in a future column.
Send emails about vacant buildings or stores to Essex County Associate Regional Editor Jack Durschlag at jack.durschlag@patch.com.