Preserve This Belleville ‘Town Jewel,’ Historical Society Says (Op-Ed)

BELLEVILLE, NJ — The following op-ed comes courtesy of the Belleville Historical Society. Find out how to post announcements or events to your local Patch site.

The Belleville Historical Society would like to express our concern about the potential designation of the Cozzarelli Memorial Home as an "Area in Need of Redevelopment" (ANOR).

The building was constructed in 1887 and as far as we know, it was Belleville's first funeral home. It is one of the last surviving historical structures in Belleville. The construction of Route 21 in the early 60’s wiped out most of Belleville fine historic homes. In the 70's, the foolish and short-sighted construction of an addition in front of the Belleville's Public Library erased the magnificent Carnegie facade from the landscape of Washington Avenue. In the 80's, a proposal to demolish our historic Town Hall building was fortunately stopped.

The Cozzarelli building is most famous as a location for “Soprano” episodes. But long before the Sopranos, the building had a nationwide reputation for an interior with its artistic and architectural beauty. Thanks to the creative genius of the late James Cozzarellii, this artistic masterpiece, second to none, exists in Belleville, it rivals any fine home anywhere in New Jersey. We are forever grateful to James Cozzarelli for his other wonderful creation, the celebrated Carnegie Room at the Belleville Public Library.

An ANOR designation could potentially allow any developer to demolish the building. The building is in immaculate condition and located in a prime location. It would be difficult to understand how it could possibly meet the statutory requirements to be declared ANOR. With the construction of new residential and mixed-use buildings nearby and the construction of a new parking deck directly across the street of the Cozzarelli building, there are ample opportunities for this beautiful building to thrive and continue to exist as a town jewel. An ANOR designation places the building in peril and the Belleville Historical Society is opposed to such a designation. It is our hope that the township makes every effort to preserve this building so that any future development proposal will allow it to continue to enhance Washington Avenue.

Don’t forget to visit the Patch Belleville-Nutley Facebook page. Send local news tips and correction requests to eric.kiefer@patch.com. Learn more about advertising on Patch here.