One Westfield Place Redevelopment Top Of Mind For Residents At Meeting

WESTFIELD, NJ — As usual, redevelopment was the theme of Westfield Town Council's meeting on Wednesday.

Many residents voiced concerns about the One Westfield Place redevelopment project, which is proposed to take place at the old Lord & Taylor site, during the public comment section of the meeting. Mayor Shelley Brindle continued to defend Streetworks Development's proposal and argued that the 731,000 square-foot complex would help revitalize Westfield's downtown.

You can read more about the scope of the project here: Lord & Taylor Development Gets Mixed Response From Westfield Residents

Resident and former councilman Tony LaPorta approached the podium first and asked the council about the value of the project.

"I'm concerned about how the value of the project was decided," LaPorta said. "From what I have read, the town of Westfield is going to get $200 million over 30 years. How is value decided?"

Brindle later responded to this concern, and said LaPorta was conflating what the town will receive from the PILOT agreement with the value of the land.

Streetworks has previously stated that the PILOT would generate $200 million in additional revenues over 30 years for Westfield, which they argue would help stabilize taxes, fund public improvements and support other municipal projects.

"The value of the land is completely separate from that $200 million," Brindle said.

Resident Michael Domogala said he was impressed by the One Westfield Place preview center, which is located at the former Chico's building at 76 Elm Street, but expressed concerns about overdevelopment.

The preview center is open to all residents and offers a full-scale model of the One Westfield Place proposal. You can learn how to schedule a time to visit the center here.

"The vastness of the project is a truly monumental undertaking and each and every resident should be prepared for the changes that will forever transform our town," Domogala said.

Domogala said he drove through Garwood along both North and and South Avenue to "achieve the best approximation of what South Avenue may be like in the next few years" and noticed "the canyon-like feel at street level, the already continuous construction and repaving, the diminishing view of the natural tree line, heavier traffic flow and newer, taller buildings and parking garages."

He said he moved to Westfield after previously living in Hoboken where there was "incessant congestion, traffic and construction."

"You can't sell me on the idea that the redevelopment team or the company has a beloved connection to Westfield," Domogala said. "This is about making the most money possible in a way that they believe upsets the least amount of people possible."

Brindle later argued that the layout of Cranford would be a better comparison, as opposed to looking at Garwood.

Domogala added that residents should have more of a say in the size and scale of the project and that the redevelopment should be put to a referendum vote.

However, Brindle said state law actually prohibits referendums on redevelopment projects. She said the reason for the preview center, as well as upcoming Facebook Live videos on the redevelopment, is to involve the public in the planning process and allow them to ask questions.

Resident Greg Kasko voiced his support for the project and the idea of redeveloping the train station parking lots.

"An asphalt parking lot is the worst investment for a town, especially if we can build on it," Kasko said.

"As far as overdevelopment is concerned, I've watched this town through the 70s, 80s, 90s, 2000s, 2010s and now we are falling behind our neighbors," Kasko added. "The same people that come to the microphone about vacant stores downtown say 'we can't do this project.' Well then they can't complain about those stores being vacant downtown."

Brindle reiterated that the project would bring more foot traffic to the downtown.

She also encouraged people to read the FAQ posted to Westfield's website that answers several commonly asked questions about the redevelopment.

Read some of Patch's previous coverage on the One Westfield Place project below:

• Debate Erupts Between Westfield Councilman + Mayor Over Redevelopment
• Lord & Taylor Development Gets Mixed Response From Westfield Residents
• Westfield Councilman Leaks Plans For Lord & Taylor Redevelopment

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