Preparations are underway for the remodeling of the Boulder Run shopping center. As towns around America seek to restore the vitality of the aging strip malls that populate the land, numerous voices are imparting their vision as to how these development plans should proceed. The process for Boulder Run was no different.
The project in Wyckoff met resistance from residents and organizations such as The Friends of Wyckoff. One concern was with the architectural design of the proposed mall remodeling and expansion. A lawsuit filed last year attempted to revoke the approval won by the developer, but the Court felt any failure on the part of the advisory Design Board did not warrant overturning the authority of the Planning Board. Without clear design standards detailing the preferred building or site layout design for the Township, it would be difficult for a municipality such as Wyckoff to try and dictate arbitrary standards on one specific development.
Another factor effecting design is that the role of architect in the aesthetic design of buildings has been diminished over the past decades. The influence of general contractors, developers, office planners, interior designers, and other specialists has grown in the development of commercial space. The muscle of large anchor stores has also increased as corporations focus on funding studies of consumer habits in an effort to optimize their processes, marketing campaigns, retail location and floor space.
Other residents expressed concerns over increased traffic stating that the proposed plans had not fully addressed this issue. Safety is always a paramount concern for towns which are family orientated and contain many households with children. With aesthetic design issues a moot point, the impact of increased traffic and the management of this traffic will continue to be a point of contention.
Many residents are looking forward to the increased offerings that the remodeled Boulder Run will provide. The dramatic increase in gas prices, and a growing elderly population continuing to live independently, make local shopping more appealing and convenient. Small towns in America are aware of their need to maintain vital local economies in competition with mega malls and discount outlets. Local businesses play important roles in the support of civic organizations, help create a stable tax base and provide employment opportunities. The debate over suburban development has been ongoing for decades, and will undoubtedly continue.
