What Can Be Done About Springfield's Empty Storefronts?

It's difficult not to notice all the empty storefronts in downtown Springfield. During a recent visit to the Morris Avenue area, I noticed nine. One of the properties is said to have been vacant for close to three years.

Changes clearly need to be made. But implementing change is at this point an open question.

"Obviously, we can't do anything to fill up the storefronts if people aren't going to want to put businesses there, " said Deputy Mayor Bart Fraenkel,  "The economy over the past year or so has also played a major part."

Rental prices, property beautification and the types of businesses that come into the town are variables he says the township has no control over. "But what Mayor Shehady, myself and committeeman Jerry Fernandez did was walk through town with our zoning officer," Fraenkel added.  "We were trying to identify the different types of things that can be dealt with from the governing body. . .in terms of zoning violations, making sure that areas are cleaned and properly maintained. That's the type of thing that the governing body has the ability to address.  We're being very proactive in that."

Not all of the business owners agree. One, who didn't want to be identified, said he'd been in the area for close to five years. Within that time span, he claims, little has been done to encourage people to come to or stop along Morris Ave. "It's like a ghost town," saidwho thinks a movie theatre would make a major difference. "There are very few property or street lights, so there's a safety concern. The sidewalks need improving. Business owners keep opening stores here but have no luck with their businesses. The township is not beautifying the town."

Fraenkel is placing much of the responsibility on the people who own the properties. It was two years ago, he said, that the township began having meetings with some of the property owners. They were told, in effect, that it was their responsibility to address any issues of disrepair. Some of the issues most readily noticeable to this writer were a few dusty, clutter-filled and unwashed store windows.  Several of the buildings have neglected (rusted or chipped) facades or old, dreary signage that is in need of updating. There were also upswept areas in front of properties.

"I was giving them an opportunity to do things without having fines for not doing it properly," explains Fraenkel, was Springfield's Mayor for two years. "Some people took it upon themselves to do the right thing and some of them did not."  There are stores, it should be noted, whose facades are well manicured. The property owners who haven't made improvements, Fraenkel adds, have been given notices or been told that they have summonses requiring that they correct particular issues.

To that end, Fraenkel acknowledges that it's unreasonable to require property owners to put up new, uniform awnings or signage. "It's probably not a very reasonable thing to ask of store owners. Especially those who are already struggling or trying to survive," he says. "But there other things they can do."

Stephen Keller owns McLynn's, an Irish pub-style restaurant located in the center of the area. He says his business hasn't been too affected by the lack of burgeoning businesses in the 10 years its been open. "Since we came here and it was pretty much already like this, I can't really say how much business we've lost because of it," Keller said. "The downtown area is so short that it's a quick drive through and people don't really know what's here."

One property owner, who asked to remain anonymous, suggested the township lower the speed limit. "It might help things," she said. "But to be honest, there are several factors that have resulted in the empty stores. The economy is at the top of the list." She suggested, as well, that the chamber of commerce get involved in the process. A store in this owner's building, which looks to be in relatively good condition, has been vacant for over a year.

Because there are so many vacancies, Keller says, Springfield has become a destination town; out of towns who shop in town rarely spill their business over to a second store. "I think that makes it difficult for store owners who may count on people just strolling through," he added. "If there were more stores filled, business would probably be better for a lot of people. Some of my customers say they've heard that there was going to be a revitalization, but it hasn't happened."

So what will happen now? "I would like to believe there will be meetings going forward," Fraenkel said. "Believe me when I tell you that the governing body has been exploring every possible alternative in an effort to make this a more viable and more vibrant area."