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

Here at Livingston Patch, we’ve started some good discussions about the empty storefronts throughout Livingston, and especially on Route 10, with our Visions for Vacancies content.

Last week’s property, the recently moved Kessler Rehabilitation Center on Route 10 West, received quite a bit of traffic.

There’s been an overwhelming outpouring of support for a supermarket to replace the now vacant Pathmark in the Village at Livingston shopping center with Patch readers suggesting a Wegmans or Fairway. Another suggestion has been for a Trader Joe’s. 

For the smaller spaces we’ve uncovered, readers have suggested places like Little Gyms, Imagine That or a Funplex.

For those of you who are just discovering Visions for Vacancies, or who are new to Livingston Patch — Welcome!

Here’s how Visions for Vacancies works: 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.

This week, we’re asking you for suggestions for the vacant Saturn car dealership on the Livingston Circle. 

Granted, we know the township planning board heard testimony Tuesday night to convert the dealership into a new home for the Bottle King and CVS.

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.