Prime commercial locations should not wisely be the place for social services, as a basic rule of "the best use" of available space. Just how many homeless people are within Montclair? How does one prove eligible homelessness? Where are other facilities, to judge whether there is a need in any location? But, just like the Wildwood lot, the owner can do what it likes with the assest I suppose.

This is a good opportunity for a consortium of those working to support Montclair's homeless to come together and put together a proposal for federal support to assist some of the most needy in our town. Carl Ben Witzig's concern about "best uses" of commercial locations is valid. But Bloomfield Avenue has many vacant commercial spaces even better situated that could be used for commercial development. We need this opportunity to care for the homeless.

A Homeless center could be installed in the police station building, Valley and Bloomfield Ave. But is that the best use of that space? The SS building being owned by US government, does not pay local taxes... school, municipal, county. Deeding it to a non-profit organization for restricted use (homeless center only) or to the town for qualified uses, apparently would leave it off the tax rolls. But to opinionate well we should know the homeless need. How many do we have now? I agree, if needed, it might be a good deal. If not needed, it would be a lost opportunity or even a shame.

Shortly after deinstitutionalization laws went into effect in the seventies I was in graduate school on Long Island. My supervised field placement was in the dept of social services in Bayshore under whose auspices services to the homeless fell. The town of Bayshore Long Island became very close to the equivalent of a 'Bowery' (haven for vangrant persons, predominantly males) due to the number of homeless social service recipients on the area of the agency.

Granted, many of that population were recently discharged from Pilgram State and Central Islip pych faciities. But the fact remains that it is not unusual for service recipients with few options of where to go tend to linger in close proximity to the angencies and facilities they rely upon.

I hope that in going forward with this proposal the impact the clientele might have on local businesses will be taken into account. In addition, I wonder if consideration has been given to the construction of a combined municipal/police head quarters at that site!.

After thought:
Homeless people particularly homeless families with children are not criminals and services provided to them must be provided with compassion and dignity in a appropriate hopefully warm setting not unlike the salvation arm facility in town and in churches. Many persons who become homeless say, during a recession or during an economic depression develop emotional issues and should not be around persons carrying weapons.

I say the following with the utmost respect and sensitivity that I can muster:
Let's see, some of us would have adults armed with weapons in our schools. Quite possibly a good number of us would welcome police stations providing services for the homeless. In a society such as that who would patrol the streets? Senior citizens I presume, after all we are home days any way!

Why not develop this building into a use that would bring a lot of positive traffic to this part of Bloomfield Avenue, a section that is struggling with empty storefronts, low-grade stores that need to be updated, and a need to bring more traffic to the retail establishments already in place. Would this be accomplished as a facility for the homeless? I don't think so. And I think there are other locations for a homeless facility that would work better.

Future use choice for this facility is very important in the economic development plans of Bloomfield Center. We must review all feasible options and plan carefully. That way, it can become a real asset to the community.

This is the only one-story block along the avenue. I say knock it down, along with the adjacent tire store and construct a 4-5 story building. If the township wants to use this specific property to help homeless families with Montclair roots, then I'd suggest it permit an additional floor, over and above whatever a would-be developer might seek, and seek the build-out of some permanent apartments for now-homeless families.

Also in reply to Rhonda Kriesel, this is not the section of Bloomfield Ave particularly struggling with empty storefronts. That's a block up, from Fullerton to Park, courtesy of Mr. Grabowsky. A vibrant and diverse town like Montclair needs "low grade" stores and the fact they they are there, paying rent, suggests local demand.

Unfortunately it is not glamorous to support the homeless or poverty in Montclair. Yes, I mean our neighbors. It's glamorous to have fundraisers for Haiti. A night of music and community service hours with a few promoters basking in the glory. How much was raised for Haiti? While we ignore poverty in Montclair. It's a travesty and we are teaching our kids the lesson that our neighbors bring down our house values but Haiti brings community service hours and college application gold stars.

Esther, I am appalled that you totally misunderstood what I have written. Au contraire my friend, our sentiment is the same.
In response to someone's comment that a Homeless center could be installed in the police station building, I wrote the opposite of what you seem to understand I wrote. My statement was:
. . . Homeless people particularly homeless families with children are not criminals and services provided to them must be provided with compassion and dignity in an appropriate hopefully warm setting . . .
I have reread and reread my statement, I did no mention the homeless carrying guns. So sad you misread/misunderstood my comment. But, it's not about me. The homeless DO NOT BELONG WITHIN A POLICE STATION. I think on that we agree.
Lowell, yes you are right, that was a kicking fundraiser at the UUCM last nite. We Americans were very active in bringing an end to apartheid in So. Africa and some of us are indifferent to Stop and Frisk of minorities in our cities.

emiliac, I too was appalled at how Esther misinterpreted you. People should take the time to read more carefully before attacking others here.

I also fully support you on how wrong the Stop and Frisk behavior of law enforcement people with minories is. Those of us with minories in our families can very much appreciate how wrong this is.

Regarding South Africa, yes some of us were appalled by apartheid, just as seeing it going on in other places in the world today. But to think that the US government assisted in the undoing of apartheid is really a bit of an insult to the people of South Africa who suffered and died for their freedom. Despite the rhetoric of sanctions, the US government and industries continued to support the South African government until change became a fact. Let's be honest about our own role in the suffering of others and the dishing out of congratulations.

The 4th Annual Concert for Haiti is a full fledged corporate fundraiser organized by residents of Montclair - http://edeyo.org/news-photos
It would be fantastic to fundraise for our local Montclair foundations with the same spirit of fundraising and community service as Edeyo. Lets share some of the glamour, music, community service and public relations right here at home with our neighbors in need.
MNDC - https://montclairmndc.org/
Homecorp - http://www.homecorp.org/

emiliac - i think this line......
"I hope that in going forward with this proposal the impact the clientele might have on local businesses will be taken into account"
is what rubbed that person wrong and it rubbed me wrong a bit as well. im not sure where all the weapons talk came from but moving right along.....

i think its a great idea as i have interned at a homeless shelter IN montclair. many residents have no idea just how many of their neighbors are one step away from being homeless or one step from just getting back from that reality. they dont realize how many kids in the schools are from shelters nor do they realize how absurd that stereotypical image is in comparison to who individuals and families experiencing homelessness really are.

For the record, the lovely gentleman from Haiti who started the Edeyo foundation is a beloved Montclair resident who began a school there many years ago. The fundraisers designed for this unique school which provides an education to those childre who would otherwise be uneducated are not a designer fundraisers at all but are a tribute to an organization and a local family with roots in our town as well as Haiti. Our homeless in Montclair are actually far better off than any of the families living in Haiti.
That being said, I couldn't agree more that we all should be doing more locally. Last night MESH served 27 warm meals to homeless in Montclair at the presbyterian church on Groce Street and Tuxedo. those same families (yes there were children) were then going to be transported to a different church to sleep. Also there was a Human Needs Food pantry fundraiser at the home of a family here in Montclair this weekend as well and please let's not forget how many residents work at Toni's kitchen frequently, too. My point is please don't disparage a fundraiser for a good cause, and let's celebrate the local things we do well for our residents and encourage more folks to get involved more frequently.

And, yes, I agree that we should use the SS office to aid those in need. Obviously there were at least 27 men, women and children in need of a warm place to stay on a very cold night last night.

Melissa, thank you.

Yes - little tiny fundraisers all over Montclair. Lets be serious about our town here. When will there be a full blown fundraiser ala Annual Haiti for our neighbors. If you look at the financials for Edeyo (posted on the website) they have a lot of support. Please don't be blind to the fact that a fundraiser for Haiti is more glamorous and gets better Public Relations than a fundraiser for our neighbors. Sorry, I don't think we take a good enough look at how many of our neighbors live or how many live in and out of shelters. It is a travesty !!

Lowell the human needs fundraiser wasn't tiny, it had a matching grant of up to 30k and Edeyo has a partner in NYC who is a famous nightclub owner so Much of their money also comes from celebrities, But it has taken them a long time and a lot of hard work for them to raise that money and I might remind you that there was a catastrophic earthquake during that time as well. Instead of begrudging them, I challenge you to plan a fundraiser for our local charities and lead the cause. I think you'd get a pleasant surprise how many in town would come out to support.

Melissa, I don't live in town I'm just passing through. I can't afford to live here. I am a child care provider. I challenge the Edeyo committee and sponsors to plan a fundraiser for our local charities. They would do a great job. Yes I know there was a massive earthquake in Haiti, but I see close up the poverty in Montclair. Do you?

You know, it seems the homeless includes every age: young children, teenagers, parents, empty nesters as well as seniors. This center should serve them all, and be a focus point for assistance, education, cultural events, etc. A full scope of life needs. That would be great. Please note that HUD requires it to be a 501 (c)3 that takes over the property - by definition, not for profit, but making a contribution to the economy of Montclair

mtc parent, thank you.

I dont think it would be a good idea putting a homeless shelter in an area that gets a lot of business from visiors thus contributing to the tax rolls. It would seem out of place putting a homeless shelther in an area that includes the Wellmont and other nice restaurants. It would probably be better putting it in the more blighted areas of montclair.