First look: L-shaped housing pitched for Morristown train station

Housing complex proposed for Morristown train station parking lot. Image courtesy of Dean Marchetto
Housing complex proposed for Morristown train station parking lot. Image courtesy of Dean Marchetto
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In Joni Mitchell’s heyday, they paved paradise and put up a parking lot.

She might sing a different tune in 21st-century Morristown, where a developer aims to reverse the equation.

Architect Dean Marchetto, left, Morristown planner Phil Abramson and town Administrator Jillian Barrick, Oct. 11, 2018. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
Architect Dean Marchetto, left, Morristown planner Phil Abramson and town Administrator Jillian Barrick, Oct. 11, 2018. Photo by Kevin Coughlin

“We build communities, not just buildings,” Dan Sudler of Bijou Properties told the town council, which on Thursday got its first look at plans for a five-story, L-shaped 89-unit housing complex behind the century-old Morristown train station.

If the Hoboken company wins a series of approvals from the town, and buys the 1.75-acre parking lot from the Morristown Parking Authority, it will redevelop a space that has been on drawing boards since at least 1999, when it was earmarked to become part of a “Transit Village.” 

The town designated the lot for redevelopment in 2006.

Councilman Bob Iannaccone listens to redevelopment proposal for train parking lot, Oct. 11, 2018. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
Councilman Bob Iannaccone listens to redevelopment proposal for train parking lot, Oct. 11, 2018. Photo by Kevin Coughlin

“This will be a transformative and catalytic project for the area,” town Planner Phil Abramson said. Mayor Tim Dougherty expressed hope the excitement “becomes contagious” for owners of nearby lots ripe for redevelopment.

“You’re going to say, ‘Wow, this is Morristown! This is very special'” when your train pulls into the station, said project architect Dean Marchetto, who designed the triangular Fox Rothschild office, among other Morristown structures.

Marchetto promised an “elegant landmark” of brick masonry in a “Grand Hotel style” that will complement the venerable station. Abramson anticipates apartments, not condos.

Another depiction of the housing project proposed for behind the Morristown train station. Image courtesy of Dean Marchetto.
Another depiction of the housing project proposed for behind the Morristown train station. Image courtesy of Dean Marchetto.

Plans call for two studios, 41 single-bedroom units, 41 two-bedroom units and five three-bedroom layouts, at rents to be determined. The rooftop would get a pair of duplexes and a terrace, according to Marchetto, and both ends of the L would have retail: 1,770 square feet at one end, 3,580 square feet at the other.

Town zoning mandates pricing 15 percent of the units as affordable for people with low- and moderate-incomes.

Dan Sudler, development manager for Bijou Properties, introduces himself to the Morristown council, Oct. 11, 2018. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
Dan Sudler, development manager for Bijou Properties, introduces himself to the Morristown council, Oct. 11, 2018. Photo by Kevin Coughlin

Today, the lot has 72 parking spaces. The proposed project would have 137, all submerged from view. Seventy-four spaces in the basement would be reserved for residents. Another 54 would be for public use, and 11 spaces would have dual use, Marchetto told the council.

The Bijou proposal was chosen over a handful of others that envisioned larger projects, Abramson said. Zoning would have allowed six stories and 105 units, he said.

For years, the planner said, officials longed to spruce up the drab area where people descend from their trains.

“It’s a parking lot…It doesn’t really reflect how great Morristown is,” Abramson said.

Councilwoman Hiliari Davis, left, and Council President Toshiba Foster listen to presentation about train station project, Oct. 11, 2018. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
Councilwoman Hiliari Davis, left, and Council President Toshiba Foster listen to presentation about train station project, Oct. 11, 2018. Photo by Kevin Coughlin

Another goal, he said, is to make the area around Lafayette Avenue–Morristown’s second-heaviest-traveled artery, with 15,000 vehicles daily–“more livable.”  Residents of Olyphant Drive and Jardine Road already have been consulted, he said.

Abramson pledged to meet with owners of the All County Rental Center, who attended Thursday’s council presentation to learn more about how the proposed development will affect their business.

Marchetto described Bijou Properties as a boutique builder of lofts and apartments that emphasize green design.

Councilwoman Alison Deeb, Oct. 11, 2018. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
Councilwoman Alison Deeb, Oct. 11, 2018. Photo by Kevin Coughlin

Councilwoman Alison Deeb asked if anything can be done to dress up the station’s front side. Abramson said overtures to NJ Transit have proven frustrating.

Toshiba Foster, the council president, inquired about a rooftop restaurant for the proposed project.

“It’s not in the cards on this one,” Marchetto said, citing technical obstacles. “But I’ll keep that in mind.”

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11 COMMENTS

  1. Nothing they build is intended for the life-long Morristown. Most jobs in Morristown don’t even pay enough for the people who work there to also be residents there. Morristown is pricing anyone who isn’t well off right out of town. Morristown will be filled with NYC commuters and the wealthy. It’s no longer a hometown for the middle class or below.

  2. I am all for improving our spaces and making Morristown beautiful but I have to agree with Cat on the funky math reference parking spots. Assuming at least one car per residence, that means 89 of the 137 parking spots will be used by folks living there leaving only 48 spots available as opposed to the previous 72. Where are the normal commuters supposed to park? Where will the patrons of the businesses on the ends park? There is a reason it started as a parking lot lest we forget.

  3. this is all great, but how about providing some affordable housing for those the don’t fall in the low or moderate income brackets? try starting rents at $1600/1700 instead of the 2000 range.

  4. How about designing one extra level of parking that’s “building height” so that it can be converted to rental/office/studio space when fewer cars are needed……. Kind of split the difference…..

  5. This is great! I wish they would do something like this on the Morris Street Redevelopment site instead of the horrible proposal of a storage unit. Morristown is letting is sit and become a giant vacant eyesore!

  6. When you live next to the train station, you may not need two cars and some may not need any. People also tend to forget all the unused spaces at the Highlands project on the other side of the station.

  7. It’s unfortunate that they aren’t going with 6 stories. Also, many millennials are doing without cars. 74 spaces will probably work.

  8. 140 bedrooms, and they only want to park 74 automobiles? Get real! Also, they are cutting the number available commuter parking spaces.

  9. are they going to start fixing the inadequate roads through morristown…. It is painful now…. Morristown needs actual planning beyond selling cheap land for lots of housing

  10. 89 Apartments, a total of 140 bedrooms, yet they are only providing 74 parking spaces for residents. How does that make sense??? Come on Morristown, stop giving away the town!

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