Livingston Mall
Last week, the community had the opportunity to share their thoughts on what they want to see done to the Livingston Mall property. Specifically, participating residents were able to talk with one another, and then present their ideas to planners who will help turn their ideas into tangible plans.
The kickoff event on March 17 was very well attended. Residents filled the room prepared to offer their opinions about what they would like to see done with the mall. The planning company Topology provided general parameters of how residents should be thinking about the property (it will not make financial sense for a developer to construct a 60 acre park, for example; there will need to be a combination of retail, business, and residential elements incorporated to entice someone to want to build), and participants branched off into smaller groups to fill printed maps of the mall property with drawings of what they hoped to see.
Sessions were held throughout the week, open to the public, as the planners worked off of the ideas, before final working designs were unveiled last Saturday.
We now have a rough outline about the future of that property, compiled with the help of interested residents. Topology presented a master plan with three-dimensional and digital images illustrating the potential future of the Livingston Mall property based on the week of discussions and workshopping. The result is likely what many in the community might have reasonably expected to see – a combination of housing, offices and retail elements alongside greenery and even a pond – but was reached with their input.
“We learned a lot. It’s great when the residents come out because you get a chance to hear what’s on their mind. That’s exactly what took place last week,” Mayor Ed Meinhardt said during the Monday, March 24, Township Council meeting. “We are nowhere near the conclusion, we are at the beginning of this stage, but it certainly was a good start and we look forward to what happens next for this process.”
There are instances – in social media posts, at Council meetings – where residents have complained that they have little say in the major decisions that happen in Livingston. We have many additional steps and several years before any of the ideas from these meetings become reality, but we are very encouraged by what we have seen this past week. We will have to wait to see what ultimately becomes of these suggestions, how they ultimately affect what will happen with the mall property, but it was a promising and productive week. It now feels like the public has a better idea of what can reasonably be expected to happen with the area, and those in charge of re-zoning it know exactly what the community wants to see done.
First Aid Squad
This year, the Livingston First Aid Squad is celebrating its 75th anniversary. What started as a group of firefighters creating an ambulance service some 85 years ago has since become a staple of this community.
Our own Tribune publisher Jennifer Chciuk is a life member of the squad after serving ten years of active duty, and was the second female captain of the squad in the late 1980s.
“There is nothing like being part of an organization that exists solely to help residents in need,” Chciuk said. “It was a very satisfying and uplifting feeling to be an active part of that group.”
We cannot begin to fathom the number of residents’ lives that our first aid squad has saved over three quarters of a century, and our volunteer members deserve our thanks and praise.
In recognition of the milestone, LFAS is also offering several training programs and special events throughout the year. The first of these will be a first aid and CPR training course held this Saturday, March 29, at the squad’s 50 South Livingston Avenue headquarters. This class has already filled up, but there will be ample other opportunities throughout 2025.
Next up will be presentations on senior first aid (10 a.m. on Thursday, April 17, in the Senior/Community Center) and how to save a life in an emergency situation (7:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 8, at LFAS headquarters). A pancake breakfast and meetand- greet with LFAS members will be held on Saturday, June 1, with the time to be determined. Additional programs will be announced throughout the year.
We encourage the community to attend some or all of these events, both to show your support for the squad and to learn potentially lifesaving tips.
