Updated on February 22, 2002
Applied
Social Science Research
in Montclair:
The Pine
Street and Glenfield Park Neighborhoods
Putting
social science to work for the community.
for the PineGlenTalk
email list! A neighborhood resource for announcements and discussion
of local issues. Just click on the link and follow the directions.
Additional items of interest:
The
1947 Montclair Civil Rights Audit
The
1964 Montclair Civil Rights Audit
The
1980 Montclair Community Audit
Our
Lady of Mt. Carmel's 75th Anniversary Retrospective (published in 1982)
Population
of Montclair since 1900
Race
and Housing in Montclair by A.J. Faas with Richard P. MacDonald (posted
February 22, 2002).
Montclair
Housing and Rental Information by Janet Donofrio
A project of the Institute
for Community Studies of Montclair State University, coordinated by Dr.
Jerry Kloby.
What
this site is about:
This is an introduction to a threatened but
viable neighborhood, urgently seeking to re-establish its history, sense
of pride, neighborhood attachment, and its unique identity. The Pine St./Glenfield
Park section of Montclair Township, New Jersey, is an enclave which can
be thought of as a “community within a community,” with characteristics
that are separate and distinct from other sections of Montclair.
The following collection of information is
for the purpose of identifying and discussing significant issues within
the Pine Street and Glenfield Park area. The nature of community issues
are rarely simple, and this area’s difficulties are no exception. The most
telling perspective is usually that of the residents themselves. Therefore,
much of what is dealt with here is directly constructed from the expressed
concerns and desires of the neighborhood residents and their representative
organization leaders. Additionally, some outside perspective supplements
the residents' views, including statistical and demographic information,
to make the picture of the neighborhood’s issues a more complete one. Keep
in mind, however, that the neighborhood has many strong points going for
it, and these are discussed here also. A balanced assessment from multiple
perspectives of the Pine St./Glenfield Park neighborhood’s problems is
necessary in order to find the best solutions. Hopefully, this information
can help in that quest.
How this
research started:
In collaboration with community partners,
MSU is proposing activities to address issues pertaining to community organizing,
housing, and education. These activities are to empower the neighborhood
residents to revitalize their community infrastructure and community spirit.
This report on the community’s needs is the beginning of such an undertaking.
The neighborhoods where the research was conducted
are the target areas for the Community Outreach Partnership Center (COPC)
being proposed by the Institute for Community Studies, the Center for Community-Based
Learning, the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, the College
of Education and Human Services, and the Center for Pedagogy of Montclair
State University. The COPC would be funded by the Department of Housing
and Urban Development for a three year period and would be a partnership
between the University and a number of community organizations in the target
area. Such a center would be a focal point for collaboration between the
University and the community. Research was undertaken in order to determine
MSU's and Montclair's viability as a candidate for funding, as well as
to pave the way for future work within the community. Whether or not the
COPC comes about, this research will be valuable for its exploration of
the Pine St./Glenfield Park area. [For more about COPC see Bringing
COPC to Montclair State University by Kathryn Hammond.] Note:
Montclair
State was awarded a COPC grant in September of 2001; for more information
go to: Insight.
Much of the inspiration for this site comes
from the work of twelve senior sociology students at Montclair State University
who were part of the Senior Research Project class. Their work produced
a composite picture of the Pine St./Glenfield Park neighborhood that is
the foundation for the information presented in this site. For this, those
students are due thanks.
Site Map:
1. Introduction
to the Pine Street & Glenfield Park Neighborhoods - A
more detailed overview of the area, by Tony Lazroe, Development
Coordinator of College of Education and Human Services, and Jerry Kloby,
Coordinator of the Institute for Community Studies; with Karen Kadus, Planner,
Township of Montclair.
2. Voicing
Needs - Expressed concerns of the area's residents.
2.1 Community
Identity and Pride.
A. Decline
of Community Identity.
B. Lack
of sense of community.
C. Lack
of neighborhood pride or identity.
D. Loss
of neighborliness and civility.
E. Lack
of communication between residents.
F. Lack
of community attachment.
G. Especially
for youth.
H. Loss
of a sense of history.
I. Desire for community center.
2.2 Community
Representation and Support.
A. Decline
of Community Representation and Support
B. Lack
of effective communication between residents and town officials.
C. Representation
in larger town government.
D. Filing
complaints over perceived lack of services.
E. Desire
for community directory.
2.3 Delivery
of Services.
A. Lack
of law and code enforcement.
B. Refuse
collection.
C. Snow
removal.
D. Postal
delivery.
E. Perceived
lack of police service.
F. White officers v.
black residents.
G. Desire for more foot patrols.
H. Perceived
lack of respect.
I. Decline
of Community Upkeep
J. Decline
of physical appearance of neighborhood.
K. Construction.
L. Road closings.
M. Desire for more
parks.
2.4 Community
Security.
A. Decline
of Community Security
B. Fear for
personal safety.
C. Safety
of children.
D. Safety
of women.
E. Safety
of elderly.
F. Desire
for more street lighting.
G. Presence
of undesirable activity.
H. Congregation
of unnecessarily large groups of youths and young adults outdoors.
I. Underage
drinking and public drinking.
J. Illegal
drug sales and drug abuse.
L. Perceived
negative use of parks.
2.5 Youth
Support and Opportunity.
A. Decline
of Youth Support and Opportunity
B. Concern
over school attendance.
C. Concern
from parents over school quality.
D. Youth getting
involved with “street life.”
E. Lack of
after school activities.
F. Rift between
youths and adults.
2.6 Education.
2.7 Housing.
A. Decline
of Affordable Housing
B. Rising
rents.
C. Apartments
becoming unaffordable — Lease structures.
D. Perceived
lack of home ownership opportunities.
E. Anticipated
difficulty for children to grow up and remain in neighborhood.
F. Disruption
of tradition — Prior generations in neighborhood.
G. Impact
of the rail line.
H. Desirability
for commuting professionals.
I. Creation,
development, and maintenance of housing.
J. HOMECorp.
K. Off site links:
Montclair
Times Article on Rent Control
NAACP
speaks out on housing costs in Montclair
2.8
Business and employment concerns
A. Decline of Business
B. Business closings.
C. Lack of employment
opportunities for residents.
D. Promotion of
new business for resident employment opportunities.
E. Consideration
of Small Business Administration support programs.
6.
History.
Off site links:
Bill Fischer's paper on
The
Development of Montclair.
Montclair Library photo
archives.
History of Montclair,
official website of the Township of Montclair.
Looking
at Pine Street & Glenfield Park:
Perhaps the most visible
change in the neighborhood is the construction of the Montclair Connection,
a rail link that will offer a one-seat ride to midtown Manhattan. The construction,
due for completion in the fall of 2001, has caused the demolition
of nineteen houses and the displacement of twenty seven families, to say
nothing of the street literally being torn up and replaced with railroad
tracks. In short, we have a “community within a community” which
in essence is a community-at-risk, being further impacted by a redevelopment
project that threatens to obliterate what remains of this once, and still,
unique area.
Voicing
Needs:
The most significant statements
of need relative to the neighborhood came from the residents themselves.
After much collaboration, the COPC Advisory Committee reached out into
the neighborhood and held an open public meeting for all residents at Mt.
Carmel Church on Pine St. The meeting was held on March 15, 2001, and was
attended by a diverse group of approximately 125 area residents, township
representatives, neighborhood community-based organizations, Montclair
State University staff and students, the Montclair Police Department, and
a representative of the Board of Education. After an introduction, the
audience formed seven focus groups designed to promote small group discussion
and interaction. Residents then identified the greatest needs confronting
their neighborhood, and suggested ways to address these needs. The issues
and needs expressed by the residents along with demographic research are
the basis for discussion of, and involvement in, the Pine St./Glenfield
Park neighborhood. That so many individuals came out to a public meeting
and voiced their concerns speaks volumes for the positive potential and
untapped energy that still remains at the heart of the neighborhood.
Many of the comments made
by the residents had to do with issues related to the social infrastructure
of their neighborhoods. Lack of familiarity with each other, inadequate
communication, and lack of organization were all cited as contributing
to a dearth of pride, respect and responsibility.
2.3.B.
Refuse collection.
At the open public meeting
held on March 15, 2001 residents consistently expressed concerns about
the refuse collection in the neighborhoods. Student researchers from
the MSU Sociology Department documented abnormal heaps of garbage in building
lots and several yards within the neighborhoods (pictures).
Other students reported litter lined streets throughout the Glenfield Park
and Pine St. neighborhoods. Of the streets cited, perhaps the worst
at the time was Maple St. Here, among the handful of small businesses
and both single and multi-family homes, students reported accumulations
of every sort of litter ranging from cigarette butts and broken glass to
underwear and washing machines.
It has been suggested by residents that the situation could be rectified
by more consistent refuse collection. Residents of the Pine St. and
Glenfield Park neighborhoods have complained that they have been oftentimes
neglected by the waste management services, particularly in time of inclement
weather. It is also possible that residents could be more informed
about refuse codes and collection schedules.
2.3.E.
Perceived lack of police service.
A prime concern of many
residents at the open public meeting was the eradication of drug and criminal
activity in the neighborhood. Residents claimed that police efforts
in the area were relatively ineffectual. "The riff-raff are still
here," one resident announced. The residents clearly expressed a
desire to have police help them improve the quality of life on Pine Street
and Glenfield Park, but they felt that the police have not invested an
effective presence in their neighborhoods.
The corner of Pine St.
and Glenridge Ave. has long been a popular center for illegal activity.
It is here that residents complain that, aside from loitering, there is
underage and public drinking as well as a general congregation of persons
engaged in suspicious activity. "The Corner", as it is commonly known,
has recently become the subject of more public, and somewhat controversial,
consideration. A recently published article in the Montclair Times
entitled 'A
Street on the Run' addressed the issue, albeit in a way that many have
be skeptical of, despite the corner's checkered reputation.
In the presence of such
undesirable activity the residents have requested a greater police presence
to help provide a greater sense of community safety. Still, it is
not only their presence that is desired, but their active involvement,
not only in combating criminal activity, but in playing a positive and
active role in their community life. Residents want to be able just
to hear a simple "hello" from the police in their neighborhood, not just
problem oriented interactions. Residents requested police assistance
in monitoring children getting off the school busses. They have asked
for a "forceful, but caring" police presence there on an ongoing basis,
not just task forces there after problems arise.
2.3.F.
White officers v. black residents.
In
addition to a desire for a greater police presence, residents have expressed
concern over the racial composition of the police force in their neighborhoods.
Residents, the majority of whom are African American, have complained that
few of the officers working in their neighborhoods are African American.
This, it is felt, not only compromises the effectiveness of police work
in the neighborhood, but also compromises the residents' identification
with law enforcement.
2.6
EDUCATION
Our intention is to address
what has been referred to in recent years as the “achievement gap” between
white and minority students, with the specific target of the activity being
students from the Pine Street/Glenfield Park neighborhood. It is our contention
that the “achievement gap” is a manifestation of several factors, only
one of which is the student's ability to achieve, and that among those
factors contributing to the achievement gap are the conditions of the neighborhood
described within the Needs section of this proposal.
The achievement gap in
the Montclair schools manifests itself slightly differently. The Montclair
Public School system is a magnet school program and has been nationally
recognized as a model of a racially integrated system. The district has
embraced the concepts of equity and racial balance, and racial balance
has been both achieved and maintained at all schools. Although student
performance overall has improved over the last decade there is a community
wide concern that in the aggregate, students of color have not demonstrated
the performances levels that their white counterparts have demonstrated.
In a high school that is 40% white and 60% non-white, no less than 78%
of the students who are classified are non-white, and 79% of the students
who fail one or more courses are African American. Our sense is that the
majority of the students who are on the lower end of the achievement gap,
i.e., those who are under performing, are from our target neighborhood.
Thus, the project components address the needs of these particular students.
2.7
HOUSING
Montclair’s real estate
activity continues to flourish even during this economic slowdown. The
Township’s racial diversity, variety of housing stock, access to public
transportation and excellent park and public school system attract families
of different income levels wishing to experience a more “urban” suburb.
Montclair has always prided
itself on its ability to attract people of all income groups. Unlike neighboring
municipalities, it welcomes affordable housing, and seeks to retain and
increase its supply. It is therefore disturbing to discover that the new
rail line (the Montclair Connection) being constructed through the Pine
Street residential neighborhood is impacting affordable housing availability.
The Pine Street and Glenfield Park neighborhoods have always offered more
affordable housing units than anywhere else in the Township. Nineteen housing
units were demolished to allow the rail link construction through the center
of Sherman and Grant Streets located within a CDBG eligible census tract.
Investors are now attracted to this neighborhood, with its tall, brick,
multi-family buildings constructed at the turn of the century, because
of its easy access to the one-seat train ride to midtown Manhattan that
will be available in Fall 2001. Residents are complaining about increases
in their monthly rents when only minor improvements in the physical condition
of the buildings are being made. Unable to afford the higher rents, residents
are being forced to look for more affordable housing elsewhere.
