A century-old industrial site that once served as a trolley station has been an eyesore in the North Ward of Orange after a fire tore through the station’s former waiting room. A plan to redevelop the block into a 136-unit apartment building — designed by OCA Architects — was approved by the planning board in September.
The property at 356 Washington Street, which sits on the city’s northern border near Rosedale Cemetery, once served as the final stop on the Orange Crosstown Trolley line. History-lovers mourned the loss of yet another of the city’s historic sites to tragic fires in the past few years. Tax-abatement? Yes, for 22 years.
85 Main Street The site of a vacant furniture shop near Military Park could be redeveloped into a five-story apartment building. The 52-unit building with two separate rooftop terraces was approved unanimously by the planning board last month. However, Council President Tency Eason, who often advocates for adequate parking in new developments, said the 42 spaces offered in the ground-floor garage wasn’t enough, “We’ve done a lot of development in Orange,” Council President Tency Eason. “And we know we do not have parking.” However, Gerard Haizel, the principal of the Nishuane Group, the city’s planner, said that “behaviors have to change.” Haizel noted that the building’s location near two train stations and a number of buses could alleviate the need for all of the tenants to own a car. Tax abatement? None.
76 Cleveland Street Most of the city’s major developments have been concentrated on the south side of Main Street, near the train station. This five-story apartment building across the street from Orange HUUB includes 72 market-rate units and an 82-car parking garage. The developer, Peek Properties, has massive footprint on this city, with two other properties, three more under construction, and others in the planning stage, all in all bringing hundreds of new residents. Tax-abatement? Yes, for 15 years.
