IRVINGTON, NJ — The construction of the new Taco Bell restaurant at the site where the former Servicemen’s Clubhouse stood on Springfield Avenue is complete and preparing to open for business, one of Mayor Tony Vauss’ signature economic redevelopment achievements since being sworn into office four years ago.
“Taco Bell will be a tremendous benefit to the area, as a whole, for several reasons,” said Vauss on Friday, Jan. 19. “First, restaurants and eating establishments are more successful when there are multiple, in close proximity, as they give patrons options to choose from. Second, having a fast-food restaurant with a drive-through located on this side of the bus terminal, the second largest in the state of New Jersey, would increase business to nearby businesses, as they offer dining alternatives, typically available in any thriving business district. Third, Don’s Diner, Taco Bell and Anjitios actually complement each other by offering different menu options and dining atmospheres. From casual dining to fast-food and ethnic cuisine, each provides patrons with a unique experience.”
Vauss said he recognized the importance of economic development and redevelopment to revitalizing the township of Irvington when he took office in 2014, and that the new Department of Economic Development was created to implement his administration’s strategies in that area. Since its inception, the department has accomplished the following economic and redevelopment activities, among other achievements: Finalized the deal to locate a Walgreens on Springfield Avenue; facilitated the plan to begin the comprehensive renovation of Berkeley Terrace, a 153-unit development; worked with developers to facilitate the development of approximately 25 single- and two-family residential units; facilitated the development of phase one of the old Irvington General Hospital site, where more than 100 mixed-use rental units were constructed in 2017; worked with developers to complete the renovation of two vacant and blighted apartment buildings totaling 46 units on 18th and South Munn avenues; generated more than $3 million in revenue to support overall township projects and programs; hosted the first special tax sale, a tool designed to both generate revenue and decrease the number of abandoned and blighted properties, to return them back to the tax roll; hosted the mayor‘s business summit for the past two years; updated and facilitated the implementation of the township’s first source employment linkage program, to ensure Irvington residents are hired for jobs generated throughout the township; and worked with developers to bring a Blink Fitness to the corner of Eastern Parkway and Maple Avenue.
“I assisted the developer of the Hilltop Project on the site of the old Irvington General Hospital on Chancellor Avenue with securing a $9 million tax credit to support this project; 46 properties in town will be rehabilitated in 2018 through this special tax sale initiative; and construction on the new Blink Fitness will begin this spring,” Vauss said. “The Department of Economic Development has been working closely with Mr. Mehta, the owner of the new Taco Bell franchise on Springfield Avenue, to both facilitate the opening and hiring of local residents. They are presently working on resolving an electrical issue with PSE&G and anticipate opening a few weeks thereafter. A grand opening will be held in partnership with the township a few weeks after Taco Bell opens.”
The new fast-food restaurant replaced the old Servicemen’s Clubhouse, which was torn down in June. A last-ditch effort to save the building by having it designated a historical site mounted by Brenda Jenkins, of the Volunteer Network for Veterans, failed.
“It’s gone,” said Ed Kaiser, a longtime township resident, on Thursday, June 22, 2017. “They tore it down last week on a Sunday, while everyone in town was busy doing something else. It was literally there one day and gone the next.”
Although that building was demolished to pave the way for progress, former Camptown VFW Post 1941 Sr. Commander Franklin L. Prather said Sept. 3, 2016 that Irvington’s veterans still have a place to call their own, and that the VFW Camptown Post on Chestnut Avenue, “should be for disabled American vets, American Legion vets and all other veterans groups. If we work together, we can reach out to them and work with them to get all our veterans in the township of Irvington the services that they need.”
For more information about the township’s Department of Economic Development, contact Director Kyana Woolridge at 973-757-2303.
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