Here is the middle portion of Wednesday’s Speedwell Avenue redevelopment hearing before the town council.
In this segment, architect Dean Marchetto describes a modular design intended to create a neighborhood feel for housing units. He talks about trying to incorporate architectural touches from around Morristown to give the proposed housing a sense of place.
Developer Richard Murphy describes a proposed revision to allow existing townhouses along Clinton Street to stay. And he asks the council to authorize him and town planners to finalize revisions to the current redevelopment plan, for submission for council approval at a future date.
“Tonight we’re just looking for feedback,” he says.
Responding to a question from resident Linda Carrington, Richard Murphy also suggests that the developer, not the town, would do a better job of maintaining the project’s green spaces and should be responsible for upkeep, perhaps through an association of buildings on the site.
Another resident, Yoram Meyer, raises concerns about a five-story housing complex creating a “canyon” on Early Street.
Councilwoman Alison Deeb asks if the green space can be created first; Richard Murphy says “economic realities” probably weigh against that for Phase I. (Around the 17-minute mark of this segment.)
“In the worst of times, and we’re truly in the worst of times…we have to start creating cash flow before we start creating things that don’t create cash flow, that cost a lot of money,” the developer says.
MORE ON THE SPEEDWELL REDEVELOPMENT:
Video: Morristown council authorizes more tinkering on Speedwell plans, 1 of 3
Video: Morristown Speedwell Avenue project, 3 of 3
Morristown starts redeveloping the Speedwell redevelopment plan
