A Citadel Grows In Baristaville

well THEY obviously have too much money!

I don't believe there is any such thing as having too much money.

But I do have a question: Will that parcel generate any real estate tax revenue for the town?

The Salvation Army's site notes:
The new facilities (artist rendering shown above), will include an expanded social services wing, 12 classrooms, a multipurpose sports hall and a 280 seat chapel/auditorium. A planned drop-in center catering to those already serviced through the Corps feeding program will provide job training and referral, social interaction and counseling.

Will they have a thrift store? Didn't see that on the site.

Amazing that they have no neighbors -- just green for as far as the eye can see.

Got to get me them glasses.

The neighbors in the rendering have immolated.

I'm sorry, I don't understand why they are creating this HERE and not in NEWARK...

Won't this increase traffic from Newark to Montclair?

If I have a skewed view of what Salvation Army services means, please feel free to educate me, as to me it simply indicates the smell of urine.

Catseye, I will take the liberty to educate you.
The Salvation Army in Montclair is a church. The chapel is no different than that of The Presbyterian/Methodists/Unitarians etc.
Besides that - they aren't CREATING it all of a sudden. The Salvation Army Citadel has been there for YEARS. They have torn down the pre-existing building and are putting this up in it's place. You do have a very skewed version of what the Salvation Army services mean. It is a place of a worship as well as a charitable organization. There are plenty of people right here in Montclair who could use the Salvation Army's services - they don't need to all come from Newark. These services were provided before the expansion. Considering you didn't notice it before, I am sure your world will still revolve once it's completed. I went to that church and while I am not affiliated it with it now at the age of 23, I can honestly say that in the years I went, it never smelled of urine. Try to open your mind a little bit.

That's one massive building, for a good cause.
Unfortunately, the entry looks like it was designed at the height of postmodernism, sort of 1982 or so. Will they be playing Sheena Easton tunes at the dedication ceremonies?

Thank you Marty...

I was trying to be frank...and that got your attention.

Yes, I was familiar with the previous Salvation Army before it was torn down, but no I had never been inside.

It does appear to me that there have been less homeless people wandering around downtown Montclair since it was torn down. And YES, I did used to see the homeless/destitute at the bus stop going back east.

And the library seems to house less homeless people as well, although JUST today I went in and could NOT stay too long due to the smell of a patron which extended over 1/2 the first floor.

You don't know my politics or my history, but I am not on the Right.

In my experience of witnessing but not being involved with the salvation army, they seem to give sustenance to the destitute, but if you see the same people over the course of years, you have to wonder how many lives are literally turned around.
I do realize how complicated this can be due to mental illness, drug/alcohol addiction etc.

There should be services for homeless/destitute people, I just don't think it should be the library and I think the Salvation Army should have created their new building somewhere to serve a greater # of people if that is their intention.

I do not want to have to be fearful of walking around down-town...

Catseye,
your statements are valid. I didn't assume you were on the Right. Part of the reason that they are expanding is to accommodate programs that help homeless people get back on their feet through job training and counseling. As far as putting it someplace else to serve a greater population, there is a center in East Orange, about 8 or 9 in Newark, etc. They are everywhere. They aren't all the same either. My grandmother ran an entire Adult Rehabilitation Center in Mt. Vernon, NY. Some centers, such as that one, house men until they can beat their addictions and go back to their lives and families. Montclair is obviously not one of those centers and therefore tries to help those they can reach. It is difficult to sum up the Salvation Army on a message board because there are so many aspects to the organization.
The homeless and destitute will be in Montclair whether the Salvation Army is there or not. They are simply trying to help those in need. Part of the reason you would see homeless people wandering around is because they couldn't support the number of people needing help. Hopefully with the redevelopment they will be able to keep them off the streets and help them turn their lives around. But, like you said, there are those with mental illness and drug addictions that are very difficult to treat. Unfortunately, that goes beyond what the Salvation Army can do. They do not impose their help on others, they simply provide it to those who seek it.
It's idealistic to think that every person walking into the Salvation Army in need will walk out a changed person. As great as it would be, it's just not reality and never will be. We do live in an age where people find it much easier to take advantage of help by hitting up a soup kitchen 3 meals a day instead of getting their life together in order to feed themselves. With that said, I'm not on the Right either... but I am realistic.

"The Sallies" have long been my favorite charity. Something like 96% of what they raise actually goes into charitable endevors while they pay their own officers crap money and even ask them to pay for their own health insurance. (Are you listening, United Way? Red Cross?) They pay far, far more than lip service to Christian precepts to aid those less fortunate. It is a commitment most of us will never ever dream of.

Now I will go off and play a CD of Charles Ives' "General William Booth enters Heaven" while I try to forget that catseye seems quite stubbirnly ignorant about this one....

I learned to play the trumpet, in part, due to an excellent SA youth program in Newark. I was all of 9 years old and took the bus, all by myself, to downtown NWK, to participate in a youth band.

I would thrill to the magnificent sound of brass as I listened to some of the older more accomplished players show off their chops. Awesome chops they were, indeed.

Thanks again Marty...

Sounds like a great org..I always liked their motto on their huge 14th st structure in the city.

It may seem cold and selfish, but it is still a VERY strong aversion that I have when encountering people wandering around who could be miscreant or pose a health hazard.

I was stalked two years ago over a period of many months by a mentally challenged (only slightly) man downtown who also threatened to kill my partner. He was jailed for this. He is now free again and can be seen roaming the downtown area. (he also has a fascination with young girls).

I also have a concern for the business interests downtown. People like to go downtown...I want business to thrive. People will not want to convene downtown if there is a threat to their person to do so. Or if it is simply unpleasant. Who wants to sit on a bench when someone has sat there previously who smells horribly foul? These things linger...

And health contagions...TB...etc.

Maybe the salvation army can assist in cleaning up the mess of the people they are attracting to the town.
Please don't tell me that there won't be whole new populations coming into town...

I work too hard and pay too much to live in Montclair not to have the right to complain about this...

How many native homeless people are there in Montclair right now? Do you know?
How many will be here a year after this building opens?