Officials mark grand reopening of NJ TRANSIT Upper Montclair Station

Written by jrood

U.S. Representative Bill Pascrell, Jr., and NJ TRANSIT Executive Director James Weinstein joined Montclair Mayor Jerry Fried and other officials today to mark the grand opening of the newly reconstructed Upper Montclair Station building, featuring the Upper Montclair Station Restaurant.

Constructed in 1892, the
original Upper Montclair Station building sustained extensive damage from a
fire in February 2006. A new station building with a restaurant, public
restrooms and customer waiting area was built in its place, in keeping with the
historic architecture of the previous structure.

"I want to congratulate
NJ TRANSIT and the Township of Montclair for rebuilding the Upper Montclair
Train Station after an unfortunate fire and for seizing the chance to bring
some improvements to the station site," said Congressman Pascrell (D-N.J.), who
had served for a decade on the House Transportation and Infrastructure
Committee. "The restored station and its new restaurant are sure to serve well
daily commuters and the Upper Montclair Business District."

"The newly rebuilt Upper
Montclair Station and restaurant will enhance levels of comfort and convenience
for rail customers, while offering economic, functional and aesthetic benefits
to the community," said State Senator Nia Gill.

"I am happy to see the
restoration project completed.  It represents an important link to the
economic life of Montclair through a partnership between NJ TRANSIT and local
government," said Assemblyman Thomas P. Giblin.

"This is a great example
of a successful public-private partnership that will generate commercial revenue
for NJ TRANSIT, while providing an attractive amenity for Montclair-Boonton
Line customers and Montclair residents alike," said Weinstein. 

"We worked closely with
NJ TRANSIT and the developer to ensure that the new station building harmonizes
with the surrounding area," said Mayor Fried.  "We are pleased to have the
station and the new restaurant as assets to the community."

In September 2007, the NJ
TRANSIT Board of Directors approved a 10-year land lease to Notchwood LLC, with
three additional five-year option periods. Notchwood, based in Little Falls,
was selected in July 2007 as developer and tenant from proposals evaluated by
officials from NJ TRANSIT, Montclair and the Montclair Township Historic
Preservation Commission. Notchwood’s responsibilities included planning,
designing, financing, building, operating and maintaining the restaurant and
station building.

Improvements to the new,
2,800-square-foot building are valued at more than $1 million, funded privately
through the developer and through fire insurance proceeds.

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