South Orange Mayor: Village Hall/Beer Garden Project Hits Snag

SOUTH ORANGE, NJ — A plan to build a restaurant and beer garden at the former Village Hall may have hit a snag, South Orange Village President Sheena Collum says.

Although some local residents had raised concerns about pedestrian safety, noise, parking and adherence to historic preservation standards, many others lauded the plan to transform the run-down property into a local eatery and pub, with the possibility of an outdoor beer garden.

• See related article: South Orange Village Hall: Transformation Into Restaurant, Beer Garden Approved

However, on Thursday, Collum wrote that Stuart Wainberg of Wainco South Orange LLC has filed an appeal with the Superior Court of New Jersey to stop the redevelopment. The South Orange Planning Board and the project’s applicant, Landmark Hospitality, were named in the suit.

According to Collum:

“Integrity means something - it actually means a lot. Working in ‘good faith’ to identify collaborative solutions isn't easy work but it should and must be done. And if I ever feel that someone is trying to take advantage of the governing body or this community, I fight back.”

Several South Orange residents expressed disappointment that the proposed restaurant and beer garden have hit a legal roadblock.

• “My first question is why? The longer this building sits as is the less value it has to the developer. Delaying the project isn't good for the community.”
• “Why can't we have nice things like other towns right near us... instead we'll let a dilapidated building sit and rot... and then you ask why I and many other SO residents wind up spending more time and $$$ frequenting other downtowns than our own.”
• “A beer garden would be awesome. Now it gets to sit vacant because someone didn't get their own way.”
• “This is really, really disappointing. My family and I have been looking forward to this! We enjoy the Stirling Hotel beer garden... but I'd certainly rather stay here and spend the money in South Orange.”

However, not all commenters were in support of project.

• “Some don't want the project but want town hall to be town hall.”
• “You really can't tell me that you think that landmark building should be turned into a beer garden. How degrading. Will your beer garden still be featured on our formal letter head maybe they can feature one of the waitress's serving a big mug of beer. I guess our roots don't mean as much today. Yes, money is a consideration but it should have been considered through the years and not left to rot.”

What do you think, South Orange? Do you support the idea of turning the former Village Hall into a restaurant and beer garden? Let us know what you think in the comments section.

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