The Westfield Town Council has recently approved a new project to transform the downtown of Westfield. This project is a $440 million downtown redevelopment plan involving the Lord & Taylor building and the train station. It proposes 310,000 square feet of office space, 205 total residential units (154 of which are 55-plus age restricted), two public spaces, two commuter garages, improved streetscapes, and 27,000 square feet of street-level retail. This is the largest project in Westfield’s entire history, and there is a big debate on the ethics and importance of the project. For example, the Westfield Advocates for Responsible Development group filed a lawsuit against the project, which failed to prevent the project.
Edison Intermediate School (EIS) students and faculty have varying opinions on the One Westfield Place Project, such as sixth grader Braedan Mckee. “I think we shouldn’t put [One Westfield Place] in,” he said. “Even though it would add more living space, they would demolish some stores to make space. It would also make lots of people complain and disagree, causing the town to disconnect.”
Braedan proposes another way for the town to spend the money. He stated, “The town should focus on sporting centers and turf fields instead of unnecessary projects.”
Eighth grader Timothy Carolan thinks similarly. “Although it opens up housing to people who can’t afford it and brings in tax revenue, it wouldn’t look good with the atmosphere of Westfield. It also creates a lot more traffic on Rahway and North and South Avenue which is already congested.”
Although some of the students are against the project, EIS all grades ELA writing coach Rich Mcnanna thinks One Westfield Place is a good idea.. “It would allow for more affordable houses while also bringing in more tax money for the town through new residences and businesses,” he said. “It opens up new restaurants and business opportunities for people.”
He also stated, “The project could earn back all the money spent through taxes and more.”
Seventh graders Krshnay Arora and Lawrence Guo feel differently about the development. Krshnay stated, “[The downtown] will lose its old-fashioned style and become more modern while also becoming less quiet and peaceful with the new residents.”
Krshnay advocates for keeping Westfield a smaller town instead of urbanizing it. “The project will transform Westfield from a small town to a more urban one which is not what we need as a town.”
Lawrence feels similarly to Krshnay. “It makes the town much more crowded and less enjoyable to live in,” Lawrence said. “I wouldn’t go there as there isn’t much need to go or for it to be there.”
EIS students and faculty alike have mixed feelings about the building plan with most against it while some are a bit more neutral on the topic. “It brings more business to the town and gives more choices to eat and shop,” EIS Gifted and Talented Teacher Esther Van Riper stated. “A con of the project would be causing congestion, and downtown is already packed with little parking.”
She also remarked that, “It ruins the vibe of the town as it makes smaller businesses harder to open. Rent is also already expensive. I can’t pick a side, but I would say that it’s hard to see the town spend that much money on one project when they could’ve spent it on other problems or projects that need to be addressed.”
School Resource Officer (SRO) Ricardo Johnson feels similarly. He stated that, “Downtown could use an update, but I don’t think we should be spending as much as we are when there are other things to address.”
He added, “It would make the downtown look better and more urban, but I think it could affect current businesses by opening new competitors and options.”
