Whither New Brunswick?
A few MOT readers have pointed out that some of the Brunswick redevelopment projects aren’t so bad, so perhaps the Minister of Things shouldn't be so negative. I agree that some are actually quite nice. But, does that mean I shouldn't be negative?
Let's be generous and say only 1 out of 2 new revitalization efforts are horrible eyesores, should I consider that to be OK? The Minister of Things gives his most vehement NO! There is NO MORE ROOM in our city to be wasted on neighborhood destroying monstrosities. Each one is a crime perpetrated on the character and vitality of the city that we will likely have to live with for the rest of our lives.
Good stewardship of the city is not a little bonus to be rewarded with a gold star. It is something to be demanded 100% of the time. I wouldn't applaud a doctor because some of his patient interactions didn't result in malpractice, and I won't give those responsible for the redevelopment of New Brunswick a pass either just because they only mess things up most of the time.
posted by The Minister of Things @ 1:04 PM
7 comments
7 Comments:
Whatever.
New Brunswick is one of the ugliest cities in New Jersey, and the fact is: it doesn't have to be this way! The fact is, every redevelopment project I’ve seen, uses the same cheap building materials that’s trying to look like stucco, or some form of brick imitation. And, to be perfectly honest, many of the buildings look like they were designed by the same architect who clearly got their degree online. Seriously, every building that's been built in the last 10-15 years has the same cheap stucco (which is typically a façade hiding Styrofoam by the way) and is either a combination of two-toned maroon and beige, red and beige, or is just red-ish with another off-white color that absorbs every diesel plume this side of the turnpike. There is very little new development in this town (barring the colonial-styled Johnson & Johnson headquarters) that even attempts to be aesthetically pleasing to look at.
Anyone who disagrees with that was either born here, never left New Jersey and investigated interesting cities, or both. Sorry, but it’s true.
While I think there is something to be said about being positive, and not harping on the negative, uglification is alive in well in New Brunswick. I just hope this forum provides a new mechanism to raise the already underwhelming standards here in the "healthcare city".
Now that's a name for a town!
So, essentially what Seneca is saying is that it takes someone who is completely unfamiliar with the city to tell all of us indigenous folk how ugly our home is. Thanks Seneca, for seeing the forest over the trees and telling us the truth about our home. Lord knows we wouldn't have figured it out ourselves without your fearless leadership.
Clearly Mr. Omega is unhappy with Seneca's last comment. Seneca apologizes to Mr. Omega for somehow coming off as offending, arrogant, and perhaps snooty.
Seneca hopes to clarify that she only hopes that the "uglification of New Brunwick" column can inspire more New Brunswickians, like Mr. Omega, to play a more vocal role in the City's future physical form. Seneca hopes that there are other New Brunswickians who feel similarly as Mr. Omega and she also hopes that the "uglification" column can take current development decisions head on and not beat around the proverbial bush. This is not to say that Seneca doesn't feel like there are clear assets in the community and that it's all bleak, but rather she hopes native people like Omega will get mad at policy makers in the city, not developer critics like, Seneca.
Woof, woof, bow, wow.
Team Fluffy! says:
Seneca is not completely unfamiliar with New Brunswick, nor is he trying to tell the natives what to think of their fair city. The fact remains: New Brunswick is ugly. There are only a small number of attractive buildings or blocks. It's very sad. Mr. Omega should be proud of his long-standing residence, particularly in light of the fact that very very few people live in New Brunswick for extended periods of time. It's a transient town and it shows in its appearance. It does not look like a place where anybody cares. And because there are so few vocal long-term residents who care about the town, the city fathers feel free to give RWJ and others free passes to build hideous crap. It's a tragedy. New Brunswick should be a gem of a city and the fact of the matter is that it's barely tolerable. New Brunswick needs committed, devoted long-timers like Mr. Omega to keep up the good fight! Keep on keepin' on, Mr. Omega.
While I appreciate Team Fluffy's and Seneca's thanks for living in this city for so long (since 1998), but I have to correct them in their assertion that residents don't care for their community, and if they do, it's far and few in between.
They say regime change begins at home, and that coudn't be more true in New Brunswick. But "at home" means "your block," "your street" or "your home." There are thousands of long-term residents who care endlessly about keeping their home, making sure their neighborhood is safe, and that it's a pleasant place to live, work, and raise a family. Unfortunately, New Brunswick is like any struggling city that is willing to give free reign to the highest bidder. There are countless community group within each of New Brunswick's six wards who are working with the police and the governing body to make their immediate existence better.
We have to start slowly in New Brunswick. We have to start at home. I resent the sentiment that New Brunswick residents don't care about their home. I resent that a bunch of "neo-transients" want to be so immediately critical. We have been trying for a long time, and we will continue trying to make New Brunswick the home we have always wanted.
The Minister of Things says to supposedly non-neo-transient MattOmega: have fun in NYC. Thanks for the lecture.
Apologies to MOT readers for the inside joke.
Note to readers: Don't let the Minister of Things shape the way you think. Mattomega is a New Brunswick resident, and will continue to be one for a long time.
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