Feedback sought on PNC bank buy

[Guest]

[Guest]

[Guest]

[Guest]

I think everyone is missing a key point - The reason why the PNC bank was presented for purchase to the TC is for the parking spaces that the town was able to use. The building is only a secondary issue. Now they are scrambling to figure out what to put into the building and came up with a quick answer of a new library even if it's not needed.

This is backwards thinking since the value of the property is in the building not the land. This is a bad investment for our town to undertake.

I think the problem with our TC is that we do not have anyone on the committee that has a financial or investing background. That's why we have a 23 million dollar debt and want to spend more money in a recessional time.

[agree]

Agree. The key is the free parking spaces. The library idea is just to show to the tax payers that the TC is not doing it for the benefit of the Main St. business owners.

I wonder why the town is in such a hurry to make the purchase. Who is pushing to make the deal happen?

[Guest]

The Cranbury Business association almost closed shop and is on life support. If the owners themselves don't want to stay organized and work for the town, then why should we as resident tax payers consider spending money on them? Seems to me that the businesses would want to demonstrate that they are not just here for a dollar. Now, some seem to be getting active in our town, but the businesses that have been here seem to have no interest in our community.

At the same time, the business have changed so that the down town is no longer a destination (hardware, pharmacy, etc..) Those who say it is to bring people ignore basic business principles. You draw people by providing new services and services that add new value. For example, it does seem that Gil and Berts has done for down town what could not have been accomplished by antiques stores and niche shops. Gil and Berts is attracting people to town, because they have a product that was not there before, is good and appeals to the majority of people.

[mba]

A thriving main st. (more diverse stores) will bring more business. A library will take away a good spot for business. Have you seen our library schedules during summer?

Sunday closed
Saturday 10 am - 2 pm

How is that going to bring more people to the main st.?

In fact, I'll argue that it will hurt the businesses there more.

[Cranbury Conservative]

The purchase cost of the building will be in the range of 1.3 million. The recent report in the Cranbury press speaks to 20 parking spaces being used by the town. That works out to $67,000 per parking space! As was stated above this make no financial sense what so ever.

[guest1]

Attend the township meeting on Monday May 19 at 7:00, when the TC will hear the public's opinions on this issue. Do not assume that the township will not buy the building just because we are in debt. If you want your opinion known, speak up to the people who need to hear it.

[Cranbury Conservative]

Agreed I hope everyone who opposes this purchase does show up and speak out. I know I will be there!

[Guest]

Also, don't forget to send your comments to township Clerk Kathleen Cunningham at twpclerk@cranbury-nj.com.

"Interested parties who are unable to attend can e-mail their opinions on the purchase to Township Clerk Kathleen Cunningham at twpclerk@cranbury-nj.com."

[Michael]

If all we are looking for are the parking spaces, couldn't we deed restrict (or whatever we would need to call it) the property to allow for downtown parking? That plus a new business would be a great asset.

[traveler]

What kind of business would everyone like to see on the old PNC Bank site? I'm not sure myself, but I sense it needs to be something new and imaginative to help stimulate the downtown area and to give people a reason to drop by. Any thoughts and/or comments?

[Guest]

[Michael]

We could use a convenience store in town again.

[Guest]

A nice mom and pops convenience store would do very well and is very much needed ! Anyone that has the cash will make a lot more with this type of store.