Readers spoke loud and clear in the latest poll. With almost three-quarters of the 57 votes solidly getting behind one choice, it’s probably the highest percentage in any of the recent polls. It wasn’t even close from the start. The total number of votes also fell just short of our highest yet (58), some two polls ago.
The question was sparked by plans for a park along Essex Street, near the Riverwalk development.
“How important is green/open space in your vision of downtown Rahway?”
Fewer condos, more parks — 14 percent, (8/57)
We don’t need Central Park but balance development with open space — 73 percent, (42/57)
If it doesn’t pay taxes, don’t bother — 12 percent, (7/57)
I’m always open to suggestions for upcoming polls so feel free to email or comment. Check out the new poll, at right.
The city’s Web site has a map of the traffic changes planned for downtown this spring. Last I heard, the changes were aiming for around the same time as the Irving-Fulton realignment, which was ahead of schedule for April 1 (Tuesday).
so far i have seen at least a dozen people blow through the stop at the corner of main and irving down by the theater which use to be a yeild sign. there will be a few head on’s when they change the road directions. people will still think it is a one way and when they go around the bend there by monroe and main “wham’. or some a-hole double parked and some one pulles around them. the 4way stop might work after some people blow through them on irving and elm. oh well i guess there will be growing pains. don’t know if you did a pole on should they leave main and irving as a one way or change it to a two way. i say keep it a one way,more parking tickets for the town,lol.
Any chance of a dog park in Rahway??? I like the idea of having a few parks to add to the atmosphere in the downtown area. It would be nice to relax with a good cup of coffee (from a shop that doesn’t yet exist) sitting on a bench (that hasn’t been built) and just watching people (that don’t come downtown…yet, at least) walk by.
yes alexis.. beacause you have requested a dog park in the comments section of a blog, i will go ahead and grant your request and a dog park will be installed promptly
Thanks Captain Anonymous!A dog park would be a great idea. I’ll bet many new people moving into the condos/apartments downtown would like a place where they could bring their dogs to run off-leash for a bit.
Wow anonymous, you have those powers. Of course I posted a request in a comment section of a blog hoping that you would see it one day and “grant” my request. It is the only reason I even come to the blogs….Anyhow…the question was just meant to spark up conversation (thanks Matthew for picking up on that).
Alexis, Way to get the conversation going. Interesting suggestion. The county a few years ago tried a dog run at Echo Lake Park, off Rt 22 in Mountainside, and it proved popular enough to make permanent. Not sure if the planned Essex Street park would have enough land for a dog run but I could see potential in the Wheatena section of Rahway River Park, another county park, since there’s more passive land and it’s close to downtown (from Elizabeth Ave).
About 5 years ago, Union County looked at a few locations in Rahway for a dog park and then abandoned plans due to their parkland’s proximity to the Rahway River (which, as us oldtimers know, likes to flood every now and again) and the city’s water plant. Linden has a dog run behind Target/Shoprite, but it is not as nice as the one in Echo Lake Park/
As an example, the city of Seattle has some great dog parks (both within existing parks and other quite urban areas), all of which are maintained by volunteers. Citizens petitioned the city government, helped identify potential sites, and eventually formed a nonprofit group (Citizens for Off-Leash Areas, or COLA to maintain and promote dog parks. It definitely takes some time and effort, but it can be done!
A dog park would be nice but I think you would have a tough time finding a place where people wouldn’t mind hearing dogs bark all the time. By the way, did anyone check out the Skyview open house this past weekend. I went on Sunday and the apartments looked beautiful and despite the real estate market there was a long line of people waiting in the Silcon office. That gave me a good feeling about how Rahway is developing.
Anonymous, see the comment left by Walter on the Mar 26th “She’s a brick…” post. Sounds like he had a different impression…
Mary, to each their own I guess. The apartments are as big as the 2 bedroom rentals at River Place, over 1200sqft. And I thought the granite countertops, cherry wood cabinets and stainless steel appliances didn’t sound very cheap to me. But like I said to each their own. You say tomato, I say..
I live in River Place and was considering purchasing at Sky View. I didn’t make the open house but looking at the floor plans they have available, I wasn’t to fond of the layouts they were offering. I am curious about the condos at Savoy. There are a few layouts there that I am definitely interested in.
Went to the open house on Sunday. The condo’s were very nice but small. Extra money for the city view (can’t I just go up to the rooftop garden to see the city?) Only one parking space guaranteed that costs $65/month. There was no storage space in the 2 apartments we were shown. Overall, disappointed but can’t wait until they are finished to see how it affects Rahway. Looking forward to seeing what the retail space has to offer and to hang out on the rooftop.