Home Care In Bloomfield, NJ

Developers want to build two six-story, mixed-use buildings with apartments, parking and retail space in Bloomfield.

|Updated Wed, Dec 20, 2023 at 1:16 pm ET

BLOOMFIELD, NJ — The Bloomfield Town Council advanced two proposed real estate projects to their next phases during their recent meeting.

The council heard presentations about the two resolutions from township attorney Michael Parlavecchio prior to unanimously voting in favor of them on Dec. 11 (watch the video below, cued to Parlavecchio’s comments). Read both resolutions here.

Bloomfield Broad Associates LLC is asking permission to build a six-story mixed use project with 125 rental residential units with on-site parking and about 6,000 square feet of retail space.

According to Parlavecchio:

“In April of this year, the council designated the area of 11 to 35 Broad Street and 29 to 31 Washington Street and 440 Franklin Street – which is located in the phase two redevelopment plan – as a non-condemnation area in need of redevelopment. We're here for the next step in the redevelopment process. And that's designate the redeveloper of the site [Bloomfield Broad Associates LLC] and to authorize the township to enter into redevelopment agreement for the redevelopment project.”

The council also voted in favor of a resolution that designates an interim redeveloper for another project on Bloomfield Avenue and Farrand Street.

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Franklin Development Group LLC has signed a contract of sale for the purchase of the property located at 666-668 Bloomfield Avenue and 41-43 Farrand Street. The company intends to demolish the existing building improvements on the site, and plans to build a six-floor mixed-use building with 30 residential units, 30 parking spaces and retail space.

The redeveloper estimates that the project will cost approximately $14.7 million and would be constructed within 18 months after all governmental approvals have been obtained.

According to Parlavecchio:

“[Franklin Development Group] has signed a contract of sale to purchase the property at 666-668 Bloomfield Avenue and 41-43 Farrand Street. That's the True Value rental site next to the old Bloomfield electric redevelopment project. In fact, this is the same developer that did the adjacent site at Bloomfield electric. Franklin Development has made an application to be designated as the redeveloper of that site … This would again designate them pursuant to the redevelopment plan and subject to the negotiation and approval of a redevelopment agreement within the next 90 days. We'd move on from there.”

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Bloomfield Pastor: "When I arrived here is 2019, I knew that the convent cannot – should not – remain vacant forever."

BLOOMFIELD, NJ — Church leaders are planning to convert a vacant convent at St. Thomas the Apostle Church in Bloomfield into residential housing for seniors.

A proposal under consideration in the Archdiocese of Newark would convert the convent into up to four double residences and four singles, with two parking spaces per unit, Essex News Daily reported.

“The developer [Valorev Capital of Brooklyn] is looking to sign a 99-year lease,” the Rev. Lawrence Fama said. “The income for the parish is minimal. The developer is investing a lot of money to bring the building up to code and make it beautiful inside.”

According to a church bulletin, the Bloomfield Zoning Board of Adjustment has scheduled a public hearing at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 25 via Zoom on the application to convert and adaptively re-use the existing convent building into a residential building with eight dwelling units.

Fama gave some background on the proposal in a letter to the congregation last summer. The message read:

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“I’m writing you today about an important topic in the life of our parish family. For decades our convent had been the home for members of the Sisters of Charity of St. Elizabeth, who taught in our school and worked in our parish. Sadly, as the number of sisters has decreased dramatically (from around 2,000 in the 1960’s to less than 175 today), the Order of Sisters withdrew from our school and parish over 10 years ago. At one time there were 16 sisters in our convent, but since that time the convent has remained vacant.

“When I arrived here is 2019, I knew that the convent cannot – should not – remain vacant forever. I saw the potential in converting the building into independent senior housing to meet the need for this in our area. Many of our aging population are now ‘empty nesters,’ who find that their home is too big and too expensive. Also, many do not want to move out of the area, as they want to continue to be near family, friends, doctors, etc.

“A year or so ago, I asked the Property Management Office of the Archdiocese if they knew of a developer who had done conversions of church buildings into senior housing. They recommended Valorev Capital – a company the Archdiocese has been working with on some projects, including the conversion of the convent at St. Paul of the Cross in Jersey City into senior housing.

“Since that time, I have met with David Scharf and Zakary Levin from Valorev Capital, as well as Steve Belloise and Martha Rodriguez from the Archdiocese, and Jim Gasparini, our former Director of Operations here at the parish.

“As I write this, Valorev Capital is preparing all the necessary documentation to go before our town’s Planning Board in order to receive the proper approvals. Once the plans for the convent are approved, Valorev Capital is looking to construct six to eight units of independent senior housing and sign a 99-year lease with the parish. Valorev Capital will present an ‘Information Night’ here in the fall, once the town approves the plans.

“Please keep the success of this project in your prayers as it will benefit the parish and the wider community.”

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BLOOMFIELD, NJ — The Third River has risen above its "flood stage" in Bloomfield as of Monday after parts of New Jersey were walloped by rainy weather.

The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a Hazardous Weather Outlook and a Flood Watch that will remain in effect in the Essex County region until 5 p.m.

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The Third River at Bloomfield was at 6.22 feet at 8:05 a.m. The flood stage is 6 feet.

Meanwhile, the Peckman River at Verona was at 3.53 feet at 7:40 a.m. The flood stage is 3.5 feet.

BLOOMFIELD WEATHER FORECAST

Here’s this week’s weather forecast for Bloomfield as of Monday morning, according to the NWS:

Today: Rain, mainly before 1pm. Temperature falling to around 51 by 2pm. Breezy, with a south wind 10 to 15 mph becoming west 16 to 21 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 33 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 36. Southwest wind 7 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph.

Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 42. Northwest wind 7 to 11 mph.

Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 29. Wind chill values between 20 and 25. Northwest wind 7 to 10 mph.

Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 44. Northwest wind 11 to 13 mph.

Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 32.

Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 45.

Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 29.

Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 42.

Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 30.

Saturday: Partly sunny, with a high near 43.

Saturday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 32.

Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 45.

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BLOOMFIELD, NJ-- It's getting to be that time of the season where high school wrestlers begin to gain consistency in their overall performances.

At Bloomfield High, the boys team has received some good efforts of late, and that important quality, consistency, is beginning to gain a foundation, as the 'second season' of the sport rapidly approaches.

There's still a few weeks left in the regular season, and plenty of action ahead. Bloomfield will host a quad match, on Jan. 20, with old-time Big 10 rivals Belleville, Kearny and Orange providing the competition. The quad begins at 10 a.m.

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On Jan. 22, Livingston comes to The Pit, for a 6 p.m. bout. That match was scheduled for Jan. 19, but pushed back a few days because of inclement weather.

The Essex County Tournament will also be contested this coming week, on Jan. 24 and Jan. 25, at the Codey Arena, in West Orange, starting at 4 p.m., on both days. On Jan. 27, the Bengals will travel to Newton, for a dual match, starting at 10 a.m.

The regular season concludes on Feb. 10, and then the mad rush begins with the district championships, on Feb. 17, at Nutley High, and the regions, the following week, at West Orange High. And, of course, those wrestlers who advance past the regions will compete at Boardwalk Hall, in Atlantic City, on Feb. 29, March 1 and 2.

In Bloomfield's most recent match, it lost a 36-33 decision to West Orange, at The Pit, on Jan. 17. The Bengals most impressive efforts came from Nick Kopacz, at 106 pounds, Matthew Miller (120), Viraj Moore (150), Trevor Frantantoni (175), Will Cordero (190) and heavyweight Gabe McCulloch.

Kopacz, a sophomore, has become a force at 106, winning his last five bouts, including the West Orange match. He's also bumped up to 113 pounds a few times.

Miller, a sophomore, wrestled one of his best matches of the season, against West Orange, and if he continues that, the Bengals' lineup will only be stronger.

Frantantoni, a senior, has improved in every match, since he returned to the mat after an excellent football season. Cordero is a senior and seasoned competitor, and Moore, a junior, has fit in well in the middle of the varsity lineup.

McCulloch, a junior, has wrestled very well. His only setback, so far, came by ultimate tie breaker, 2-1, and he continues to show dominance on his feet, with speed and strength.

There will be some very exciting matches coming up in the next few weeks, for the Bengals.

BLOOMFIELD, NJ-- Families and local community leaders spent this past Saturday at Watsessing Elementary School giving back to Bloomfield residents in need, as part of the Township’s programming to commemorate Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

Organized by Bloomfield’s MLK Season of Service Committee and councilwoman Wartyna Davis, participants put together approximately 600 care packages for the local unhoused population, prepared food deliveries for seniors in partnership with Toni’s Kitchen, and conducted cleaning and maintenance of the school’s classrooms and hallways.

“I’m so excited that we can have a day of service where we celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King [Jr.], and his ability to bring people together,” said Watsessing school principal Shamshadeen Mayers. “We are a melting pot – we have people from all over the world here. I think it’s so fitting that at one of our schools, we can have a day of service where we bring our community leaders together, to show people that we are a unified Township, and that we want to continue to celebrate Dr. King and what he did for our country.”

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Taking part in the day’s activities alongside the Watsessing community were Bloomfield councilmembers, as P.O. well as Board of Education President Kasey Dudley and Vice President Shane Berger.

For Mayers, Saturday’s event served as a meaningful opportunity to honor Dr. King’s legacy and get his students involved in helping local residents in need.

“It was very important for me to have the day of service here at our school, because I want our school community to be a part of modeling the importance of service, the importance of unity, and the importance of inspiring others to give back to their communities,” said Mayers.

Also taking part in Watsessing’s day of service was Assemblyman and former Bloomfield Mayor Michael Veneziaand Assemblywoman Carmen Morales, who were both elected last November to represent New Jersey’s 34th Legislative District.

Venezia thanked those who showed up to take part in the day’s activities, and also announced the recent expansion of the state’s Working Class Families Anti-Hunger Act, which makes children of more than 60,000 families in the state newly eligible for free lunch programs through their schools.

“We have to remember the purpose of why we are able to have these days off, and that’s to give back to our communities, which is what Dr. Martin Luther King stood for,” said Morales. “It’s about unity, bringing the community together and honoring those who are less fortunate.”