BY MICHAEL OLOHAN
OF NORTHERN VALEY PRESS
ENGLEWOOD, N.J.—Hoping to hold a citywide conversation to decide if Englewood should move forward on developing a community center, City Council members approved a $48,000 contract to hold up to six forums to seek public input on the issue.
A contract for up to $48,000 was OK’d 4–0 on Feb. 19 to hire communications consultant Joyce Dudley of Dudley Hamilton Associates to organize five or six forums citywide—including one meeting in each of four city wards—to help focus on whether Englewood should pursue a community center. Councilwoman Cheryl Rosenberg was absent.
In 2018, at least three city groups initiated public outreach on possible community center ideas, including Northern New Jersey Community Foundation’s Project Liberty, Metro Community Church, and Shiloh A.M.E. Zion Church.
All efforts initially focused on repurposing the nearly 120-year-old Russell C. Major Liberty School, a vacant building recently declared as an area in need of redevelopment by the city, as a community center. The school is located at the Tenafly Avenue and Palisade Avenue junction, near the city’s business district.
It was not immediately clear whether each effort would continue separately or work together with the city’s initiative to solicit input and consensus for a community center.
‘Facilitating discussions’
The contract was awarded to Dudley Hamilton Associates for “facilitating discussions centered around the establishment of a community center” notes the resolution.
Dudley’s three-page proposal details her approach and philosophy for the upcoming citywide public engagement effort, which starts off with “complete transparency” by the City Council and mayor on a possible community center.
She notes the governing body need to know where they are on the idea of a community center, what they intend to do to reach resolution, what they need from the community, and expected outcomes from the up to six citywide meetings planned.
The proposal notes that “authenticity” by the City Council is important.
“It is important not to overlook the long-term pain and frustration connected to this issue. That pain must be acknowledged with respect and used to move forward,” Dudley states.
Dudley’s approach highlights a focus on the future, including development of a vision for the city, involving residents, city officials and key stakeholders.
One key part of her proposal involves sharing “key facts and information” including city demographic trends, research on similar vibrant and diverse communities, costs related to a community center, city funding capacity, and perspectives of the city’s youth on a community center.
Dudley said the public meetings’ value derives from facilitating communication between people of different racial, religious and cultural backgrounds, identifying common ground, finding new ways to engage residents, and creating a residents’ advisory committee.
Before public forums begin, Dudley will coordinate with the City Council and interview members, officials and individuals suggested by council members. Following the initial kickoff meeting, Dudley will provide a summary and recommendations before moving forward. No dates have yet been set for public meetings.
‘Maximize inclusion’
The plan recommends at least one meeting in each of the city’s four wards “to maximize participation and inclusion” as well as one or two “other sessions in neutral territory,” such as a school or library.
The proposal notes that “there are many competing issues and interests around the use of space and ways to meet the needs of [the city’s] growing and diverse population…as well as collaborative efforts of support that have been made by churches and others.”
Dudley’s plan notes Englewood’s “demographic mix has grown and shifted” in three decades of discussing a community center and says she hopes a community center conversation “will provide some guidelines for the city as it continues to evolve ways to effectively leverage its growing diverse population in ways that make Englewood stand apart.”
‘Moving forward or not’
“I think this will help us to make a decision that we can act on,” said Councilwoman Cheryl Rosenberg about the upcoming forums.
“At the end of the day, the council has to decide whether we’re moving forward or not. We need to make it clear and be clear as to how we’re going to pay for it and have a clear action plan to move forward,” said Rosenberg.
Council President Katharine Glynn said the forums will offer “a positive atmosphere for dialogue” and that Dudley’s guidance and facilitation “ensures a fair and transparent process” for upcoming meetings to gather input.
Councilman Wayne Hamer, who held a November session at which Dudley facilitated the second half, said the hiring of Dudley to focus city attention on a community center will help determine whether the idea moves forward.
‘Everything is on the table’
“This is probably the first time the council and city is having a very serious and protracted conversation about getting this done, said Hamer Feb. 20. “I think everything has to be on the table to start the conversation.”
Hamer noted that most people he speaks with do want a community center but the question comes down to what that really means to each person and whether Englewood can come together to create such a center.
“All of the parts have to be weighed and considered as it does impact the whole city. The more people who are engaged and participating the greater chance this works. Otherwise, it’s just talking about it,” Hamer said.
A longtime community center advocate, resident Amy Bulluck had pressed Hamer to hold a special meeting in November 2018 to discuss a community center.
While some critics have opposed a community center, citing potential costs and lack of community support, Bulluck wants all residents—for an against—to speak their minds.
“I hope this is not smoke and mirrors,” Bulluck said of planned meetings.
She said she was happy Dudley had been hired to hold forums, and took to Facebook to thank the council for engaging Dudley.
She called the meetings “a step in the right direction” and said she anticipated “full engagement from the residents. This is your opportunity to be heard whether you are for or against it. All ideas on programming, financing, location, should be shared. If this is to be a true community center, then the community must be engaged. Can we count on you?” she asked.
Master Plan mention
In Englewood’s 2009 Master Plan, prepared by the city Planning Board, the plan cites the need “for a center or centers of community activity.”
The plan noted several ways to create such a facility, such as creating a central community center in a dedicated building, creating such a “centralized community center” as part of the city’s public school system, or by using existing city resources and having a central programming arm to provide a coherent and comprehensive program.
It notes community centers in Teaneck and Edgewater as examples, adding, “A central community center must serve a variety of interests and must be identifiable as a facility that is easily accessible to all and to which all are welcomed. In a community as diverse as Englewood, a central common location would be advantageous to the success of a center and permit Englewood youth to walk to the center.”
The plan notes a community center in the school system “offers the community access to greater funding and the facility will be familiar to a large number of Englewood’s young people.”
Liberty School fate?
One likely scenario sure to be a topic at upcoming sessions is possible use of Liberty School, an issue that lies unresolved despite advocates pushing for its reuse and preservation.
The school’s “adaptive reuse” has been a singular focus of the non-profit Project Liberty, whose recent efforts have focused on repurposing the historic structure as a community resource or community center.
Michael Shannon, Project Liberty chair, arranged presentations for the council on “adaptive reuse” of the school.
In addition, another consultant arranged by Project Liberty told council members that a repurposed Liberty School could serve as “a cultural anchor” to downtown Englewood.
In November, Bulluck asked the council to consider refocusing an existing $18,000 T&M Associates contract for a Liberty School “redevelopment plan” and instead use it to do a study of the school as a possible community center. No action was taken.
Hamer previously said that no “redevelopment plan” would occur for Liberty School without considering other consultants such as those recommended by Project Liberty, who specialized in restoring historic structures via “adaptive reuse.”
A February 2018 presentation by a Beyer Blinder Bell architect recommended Liberty School be repurposed as an arts or community facility. Project Liberty offered to work with the city on repurposing efforts, though no further action or meetings occurred.