OFFICIALS MARK GRAND OPENING OF REBUILT UPPER MONTCLAIR STATION
Upper Montclair Station Restaurant offers dining option for customers
June 18, 2010
NJT-10-038
NEWARK, NJ — U.S. Representative Bill Pascrell, Jr. and NJ TRANSIT Executive Director James Weinstein joined Montclair Mayor Jerry Fried and other officials today to mark the grand opening of the newly reconstructed Upper Montclair Station building, featuring the Upper Montclair Station Restaurant.
Constructed in 1892, the original Upper Montclair Station building sustained extensive damage from a fire in February 2006. A new station building with a restaurant, public restrooms and customer waiting area was built in its place, in keeping with the historic architecture of the previous structure.
“I want to congratulate NJ TRANSIT and the Township of Montclair for rebuilding the Upper Montclair Train Station after an unfortunate fire and for seizing the chance to bring some improvements to the station site,” said Congressman Pascrell (D-NJ-8), who had served for a decade on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. “The restored station and its new restaurant are sure to serve well daily commuters and the Upper Montclair Business District.”
“The newly rebuilt Upper Montclair Station and restaurant will enhance levels of comfort and convenience for rail customers, while offering economic, functional and aesthetic benefits to the community,” said State Senator Nia Gill.
“I am happy to see the restoration project completed. It represents an important link to the economic life of Montclair through a partnership between NJ TRANSIT and local government,” said Assemblyman Thomas P. Giblin.
“This is a great example of a successful public-private partnership that will generate commercial revenue for NJ TRANSIT, while providing an attractive amenity for Montclair-Boonton Line customers and Montclair residents alike,” said Weinstein.
“We worked closely with NJ TRANSIT and the developer to ensure that the new station building harmonizes with the surrounding area,” said Mayor Fried. “We are pleased to have the station and the new restaurant as assets to the community.”
“Our top priority was to ensure that the rebuilt station building preserved the historic integrity of the original structure and blended with the fabric of the community,” said Ralph Nuzzo, owner of the Upper Montclair Station Restaurant and co-owner of Notchwood, LLC, the project developer. “I look forward to welcoming Township residents and NJ TRANSIT customers to the new restaurant.”
In September 2007, the NJ TRANSIT Board of Directors approved a 10-year land lease to Notchwood LLC, with three additional five-year option periods. Notchwood, based in Little Falls, was selected in July 2007 as developer and tenant from proposals evaluated by officials from NJ TRANSIT, Montclair and the Montclair Township Historic Preservation Commission.
Notchwood’s responsibilities included planning, designing, financing, building, operating and maintaining the restaurant and station building.
Improvements to the new, 2,800-square-foot building are valued at more than $1 million, funded privately through the developer and through fire insurance proceeds.
About NJ TRANSIT
NJ TRANSIT is the nation's largest statewide public transportation system providing more than 895,000 weekday trips on 240 bus routes, three light rail lines and 12 commuter rail lines. It is the third largest transit system in the country with 165 rail stations, 60 light rail stations and more than 18,000 bus stops linking major points in New Jersey, New York and Philadelphia.