I Need A Hero!

Plofker bought it and is now trying to re-sell it? What's the deal?

What's the deal? Uh, the guy is trying to make a shitload of money without adding any value to the community he raises his own family in. Did you think he gives two shits what kind of town Montclair is? It's bank account, bank account, bank account. Sort of some pathetic small town version of The Donald.

What's the deal? Uh, the guy is trying to make a shitload of money without adding any value to the community he raises his own family in. Did you think he gives two shits what kind of town Montclair is? It's bank account, bank account, bank account. Sort of some pathetic small town version of The Donald.

that's right. no comb-over for him and no saving of anyhing historical

Jerry Mosier had posted that the building has been designated as a historic landmark and can't be demolished.

Anyone know how much Plofker paid for it?

Jerry is wrong. Any building can be demolished and you don't even need a permit.

Happy holidays

so now the Barista is giving free advertising to pfloker. good one

I just googled and he spent about $1M for it.

jmo, are you around? Please clarify re historic status.

Mr. P., I once again suggest that you rent the space to youth and community arts groups for a dollar a year. I'm sure it would be great tax-wise, and you could rehabilitate your sadly bedraggled image in town

Mr. Potter morphs into George Bailey! Just in time for the holiday season!!.

As with other narcissistic personality types, Mr. Plopper fails to see that anything is wrong with his actions. If you're waiting for a reformation of sorts, I would not hold my breath.

You don't need a hero. You need a saint.

Where was everyone when the theater was open?

I went a few times and hardly anyone was there.

(This cry is much like the Marlboro Inn. Everyone wanted it to stay, but no one used it.)

I'd love to see a big old theater in town, but the truth is that it is hard to make it profitable.

If only I had a spare million....

we wee all sitting in the back with our forefathers.

Pee Wee sitting in the back with his foreskin.

what happened to the MEDC? wouldn't they help P-doody find a buyer.

http://www.montclairtimes.com/page.php?page=12299

"I’m working with the Montclair Economic Development Corp. about what options might exist,” he said. “We are working on it now, doing some back research about how other communities of similar size have gone about doing this kind of thing.”

While expressing his support for the concept of a community arts center, 1st Ward Councilman Gerald Tobin said he would like to see the financing of the project stay out of the public domain.

“Keep it open through the Arts Council and the MEDC,” said Tobin. “For the town to take over, it would be a big mistake. Foster it through some private entity. You have to count on people in the private sector to step up to the plate.”
"

maybe it could be made into the Pfloker museum and display all things pfloker.

In response to profwilliams' comment, the Wellmont was most likely poorly attended because of the sad condition it had fallen into. One major problem being the lack of heat in winter and probably equal lack of cooling in summer. If the establishment was properly restored there is little reason not to expect excellent patronage. I'm somewhat familiar with the restoration of this theater in Suffern, NY (http://www.bigscreenclassics.com/indexlafayette.htm). I've attended special events there and the place is beautifully done. But most importantly, it works well within the community by showing first run features along side the more specialized events. If someone with the right vision took over the Wellmont, it could serve a similar purpose. And how about moving that marquee back onto Bloomfield ave (as shown in the vintage pic) for starters?!

I used to attend film showings when they interested me. The facilities were not A-1; so true.
However, The Claridge is not my favorite spot and why does a six theater venue have such inadequate bathrooms?

I hope someone takes care of the Wellmont. (It has a very historic, wistful energy.) Years ago, I wrote an article about the Darress Theater in Boonton (a historic venue which was renovated and loed) which I think might still be operating.

I used to attend film showings when they interested me. The facilities were not A-1; so true.
However, The Claridge is not my favorite spot and why does a six theater venue have such inadequate bathrooms?

I hope someone takes care of the Wellmont. (It has a very historic, wistful energy.) Years ago, I wrote an article about the Darress Theater in Boonton (a historic venue which was renovated and loved) which I think might still be operating.

Such short memories ...

The Town HAD a theater -- 12 Miles West. They couldn't afford Montclair, but Bloomfield wanted them. So they moved.

Did the MEDC do ANYTHING to save 12 Miles West? Does the MEDC do ANYTHING for the economic development of the community, as opposed to lining the pockets of developers? Oh, wait a minute! They did sponsor those kids selling candybars at the Farmers Market!

How can we complain about the Wellmont, and suggest they find an artistic company when the town just dumped 12 Miles?

And, IMHO, Clifton Commons is a pleasure compared to the overexpensive DUMP that is the Clairidge! I've been in basements that have bigger seating areas and screens, and yet they continue to charge full price! For my money, I travel to Clifton Commons and get clean floors, a big screen, comfy chairs, and good sound.

The Clairidge is just another guy ripping off the people!

What we need in this town is a power base. Let's stop pissing and moaning about Plofker this, and Plofker that. Stop being a victim! If we want to promote the arts, let's do so ourselves and not depend on someone else. And if the MEDC can't help, that's fine, but let's stop giving them money.

Look to South Orange and the beautiful performing arts center they've built. Montclair has enough folks with the financial means and the artistic background to do something excellent with this building and return it to use as a legit theatre. The options are limitless... collectively community groups could use it, a resident theatre company could be created, commercial road shows could be brought in (ala the Community Theatre in Morristown.) How sad that it just isn't likely to happen. The local government sure as hell isn't going to help, the owner isn't likely to be willing to cut into his profit to make it happen and none of us are going to do anything other than bitch and whine on this website!

Yes, lets stop giving the MEDC money. I vote for that.

What were the candybars for that the kids were selling, was it the MEDC itself or some other business?

Pfloker doesn't help by snatching up historic properties and then selling them off so they can be torn down.

The centerpiece for New Brunswick's revival is the restoreed State Theater, an old vaudaville house. A restored Wellmont could be a great boon to our downtown area.

Remsen, Tobin, and the rest will never stop giving money to the MEDC.

Greetings from Dubai. The Wellmont is within the downtown historic district. It external façade cannot be altered without the approval of the Montclair Historic Preservation Commission. Period. Demolition is also under the MHPC purview. You can thank the current council for this. I know I do.

That doesn't protect the inside -- which is amazing, correct?

the inside can be sold off, historic piece by historic piece.

Isn't the MHPC appointed by the town council and can be removed at will?

JMO is right - because the Wellmont is LOCALLY designated historic there are more protections for it than if it were only listed on the State and National Registers, which only protect against publicly funded encroachment. However, nothing is guaranteed so it would be great if someone with a vision bought the building.

Jmo,

Can the great HPC protect the interior of the Wellmont? The inside is where the real historical value appears to be.

The exterior doesn't seem very special.

I am having a tough time posting, since Etisilat, the local phone company here has blocked this site. So I am sending it via email to the Baristas and they are then putting it up. The interior is not protected, and this is based on NJ Land Use law, has nothing to do with our local ordinance. I wish we could, but to do so would be ruled illegal. You are right, hopefully a forward thinking buyer will see the value in the Wellmont's interior. For those who are cynical about local politics remember that the Noodle rest at Bloomfiled and Gates was destined to be a tear down and then turned into a Walgreens. The owners of Azora bought it and restored this 19th century stables to a functional level. It is because the MHPC together with the town council pushed this. THe developer, ARC properties knw that to demolish the building would have taken two to three years. Which is why they backed out of the deal. Not to sound like a toady the township owes a lot to Remsen, Michaelson, Tobin who pushed for the extension of the downtown district. Regardless of what you feel about htem I can tell you that builidng would be dust if not for their support of I am having a tough time posting, since Etisilat, the local phone company here has blocked this site. So I am sending it via email to the Baristas and they are then putting it up. The interior is not protected, and this is based on NJ Land Use law, has nothing to do with our local ordinance. I wish we could, but to do so would be ruled illegal. You are right, hopefully a forward thinking buyer will see the value in the Wellmont's interior. For those who are cynical about local politics remember that the Noodle rest at Bloomfiled and Gates was destined to be a tear down and then turned into a Walgreens. The owners of Azora bought it and restored this 19th century stables to a functional level. It is because the MHPC together with the town council pushed this. THe developer, ARC properties knw that to demolish the building would have taken two to three years. Which is why they backed out of the deal. Not to sound like a toady the township owes a lot to Remsen, Michaelson, Tobin who pushed for the extension of the downtown district. Regardless of what you feel about htem I can tell you that builidng would be dust if not for their support of I am having a tough time posting, since Etisilat, the local phone company here has blocked this site. So I am sending it via email to the Baristas and they are then putting it up. The interior is not protected, and this is based on NJ Land Use law, has nothing to do with our local ordinance. I wish we could, but to do so would be ruled illegal. You are right, hopefully a forward thinking buyer will see the value in the Wellmont's interior. For those who are cynical about local politics remember that the Noodle rest at Bloomfiled and Gates was destined to be a tear down and then turned into a Walgreens. The owners of Azora bought it and restored this 19th century stables to a functional level. It is because the MHPC together with the town council pushed this. THe developer, ARC properties knw that to demolish the building would have taken two to three years. Which is why they backed out of the deal. Not to sound like a toady the township owes a lot to Remsen, Michaelson, Tobin who pushed for the extension of the downtown district. Regardless of what you feel about htem I can tell you that builidng would be dust if not for their support of the commision.

I haven't seen anything to suggest that the building is in danger of being knocked down. It's for sale or for Lease from what i can see, what's wrong with that?

How come these "forward thinking" people didn't come forward when Plofker bought it in the first place? There's a big number posted on the side of the building, has there been interest?

Dear JMO,

Let me persue this logic. Why didn't Remsen, et. al., become "involved" when 12 Miles West was forced to move out of town because of lack of support? Where was their interest then? And what happened to their interest in the historic upper montclair train station when they refused to vote a resolution to oppose de-listing of the property?

JMO, you can't pick and chose. You have to consider their overall record!

12 Miles West moved because the owner of the Hinck Building raised the rent beyond what they could pay. As far as the train station that is a red herring. As I see it now, it will be refurbished with respect to historic standards. The problem there was NJ Transit, which frankly has tried to run roughshod over this town going back to the Bay Street clearance project. No administration is perfect and certainly this one will not please every one all the time. If it did something would be wrong. But if you remember back during the Reidy days, and prior to the the Bob Czech days, you will see that the township governance is more functional and responsive to taxpayers. The reality is we have a tax base that is primarily supported by homeowners. IT was this Council and the previous one under Russo that approved the Downtown Historic District and its expansion, insisting that the then Hahnes plot be included so that what was developed would be in keeping to the surrounding community. Up until then MHPC had little power, had no districts to administer, and was in danger of becoming extinct. I know personally that if not for Mayor Remsen, Councilors Tobin and Michaelson, Jessica de Konnick, and yes even Don Zief, there would be no MH.

JMO,

Gee, you may want to re-think the train station bit. It's in the record that the town council refused to even VOTE on a resolution to not de-list the train station. Red herring my foot. Look closer at the details. Insurance? Possible conflicts of interest? Read the Montclair Times, Jerry.

I wasn't around in the Reidy and pre-Reidy days (and aren't we getting the least bit tired of STILL blaming him for everything wrong?), but if these current guys are MORE functional than Reidy and pre-Reidy I'm sure glad I didn't live in Montclair then!