FROM THE EXPRESS TIMES (North Jersey Media Group)
Thursday, August 17, 2006
P'burg considering dropping the "South" from South Main Street.
By TOM QUIGLEY
The Express-Times
PHILLIPSBURG | Some say it's a meaningless name game.
Others call it a small part of a larger renaissance occurring in downtown Phillipsburg.
Council President Jim Shelly's proposal this week to change the name of Phillipsburg's downtown thoroughfare from South Main Street to Main Street drew a wide range of reaction Wednesday.
The response depends on whom you talk to along this historic and diversified street of restaurants, taverns, beautifully restored homes and buildings. There are also churches and a smattering of social service agencies tending to the area's needy.
There's no denying the rep. For many, the words "South Main Street in Phillipsburg" conjures images of drug dealers, prostitutes and muggers.
It is an image town leaders and local investors have worked for years to eradicate. Therein lies the reason behind the name change proposal slated for a vote early next month.
Shelly said the votes are there for passage.
"It's no secret that South Main Street has a negative image," he said. "It's one that we want to discard as we move forward with this revitalization."
Polishing its image
The town recently received a $3 million grant from the Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission for such things as sidewalk, curbing and lighting improvements.
"We know that there's a lot more work to be done," Shelly said.
There's a move afoot to establish nightlife along the street by keeping restaurants and shops open later and providing musical entertainment, Shelly said.
"We really want to get people down here to look and see what's happening here," the council president said.
Shelly said Mayor Harry Wyant brought up the name-change idea some three years ago. It fell flat due to concerns people had about mail delivery.
"The mail thing really spooked a lot of people," Shelly said.
He said people will get their mail without a hitch even if it's addressed to South Main Street.
Bad reputation
One area resident said he doesn't understand why the street has a bad reputation.
"I used to live in Jersey City and Union City," said Joe Clark. "This (Phillipsburg) is not like that."
Clark said the downtown area is a great place to live, but the name change is unnecessary.
"It's a needless expense," he said. "The street is going to be the street no matter what you call it."
"What I want to know is where is North Main Street," he added.
There actually is a North Main Street and its name will remain the same.
Former Phillipsburg Councilman Sal Cassar opened The Towne Market on South Main Street almost 30 years ago.
"There's literally been hundreds and hundreds of thousands of dollars, mostly private, invested in beatifying and restoring South Main Street to the jewel that it once was," Cassar said.
He said the name change is a small, though important, part of that effort.
"It's only one part of the culture and soul of South Main Street," Cassar said.
Like it or not
Eighteen-year-old Brent Cassar -- the merchant's son -- said he doesn't think the name change is such a hot idea.
"If you like the area you're still going to like it," he said. "If you hate it, you're still going to hate it."
Thirteen-year-old Mark Gunderman -- who was hanging with his friends outside Cassar's market Wednesday -- said the downtown area is a good place to live.
"There's a lot of kids I can hang out with," he said.
Mel Badway owns the Reynolds Pharmacy on South Main Street. He said a name change pales in comparison to the work needed to improve the street.
"If we're talking about perception, then let's clean it up," he said.
Badway said each morning he's greeted with trash and litter on the street and sidewalk in front of the pharmacy. There are old newspapers, food, bottles, cans and other items, yet the street sweeper only comes through on Fridays, he said.
"When people see change they're going to be here whether it's South Main or Main," he said.