South Jersey Real Estate Blog

PATCO expanding into Gloucester County

image via Flickr

On Tuesday PATCO & NJ officials accounced plans to expand rail service into Gloucester County.

"Delaware River Port Authority CEO John Matheussen says the line would run from Camden to Glassboro, making stops in several towns -- including on or near the campus of Rowan University.

He says the cost will be around $1.5 billion. The state has committed more than $500 million from two transportation funds. It's not yet clear where the rest would come from.

Matheussen says construction could begin in 2010 or 2011, and the line could be carrying passengers as early as 2014."

via CBS3

2009 South Jersey Restaurant Week

 

I think the banner says it all!  If you live in South Jersey or are visiting this week (maybe looking for a new home) it's Restaurant Week!  If you venture out you're sure to have a great meal at some of South Jersey's finest at a great price!

Head over to SJ Hot Chefs to view the list of participating restaurants and view menu's!

Enjoy!

The Battle Over Affordable Housing

Late last year Gov. Corzine signed an amendment to the Fair Housing Act which had some major impacts to local towns.  These changes ended RCAs (which let towns pay other towns to meet their requirements) and increased the amount of units needed to be built.  Five local towns have filed an appeal, this include Cherry Hill, Evesham, Medford, Mount Laurel and West Deptford.   

via the Courier Post:

"The three main complaints of the lawsuit, according to coordinator Michael F. Cerra, challenge COAH's methodology for producing the mandated numbers; its failure to account for state and local initiatives, like open space and local zoning; and its ignorance of the Fair Housing Act, which states affordable development should not burden taxpayers.

Medford, which is required to build 271 affordable units, was one of the first towns in the state to file a separate court appeal, according to its COAH attorney Ron Morgan. The township doesn't have the sewer capacity to hold that additional number of units and is challenging COAH's mapping, Morgan said. "The numbers are completely unrealistic," he said. "The vacant land maps COAH used are completely off the wall, with areas of Lenape High School marked as potentially developable."

At least 60 tri-county municipalities have not filed affordable housing development plans with the state, while 39 in the tri-county, including Cherry Hill, Evesham, Medford, Mt. Laurel and West Deptford, have joined in the League of Municipalities in appealing 24 of COAH's policies."

To learn more visit The New Jersey League of Municiplities website

Fall colors of South Jersey

I believe one of the best things about living in Southern New Jersey is that you get to experience a little bit of all four seasons.  This time of year the fall colors are all around us.  The leaves are starting to change creating scenic sights everywhere you turn.  I posted some pictures last year and thought it was appropriate to dig out again.  You can click play below to view a slideshow of the pictures...   

Golfing at Willow Brook Country Club

Touted as "One of the Best Kept Secrets in Burlington County", Willow Brook Country Club is a favorite destination for area golfers.  Willow Brook is a public course which spans both Moorestown & Delran townships located on Bridgeboro Road.  The course was designed by William Gordon and opened back in 1968.  For more information on the course, fee's or to make reservations, you can visit the Willow Brook website. 

I've had the oportunity to play here several times including this past week in the Delran AA golf outing.  It was a lot of fun and as always, the course was in great shape.  Below are some photos of the course that I took.  You can also view more at my Willow Brook CC Flickr photoset.

Lined up for a shotgun start

 

  

Of course this is how we spent most of the day...looking for our lost shots! 

 

In Remembrance on Sept 11

  This is the war memorial located in front of the Delran Municipal Center

Learning Made Fun at The Franklin Institute

Yes, I used learning and fun in the same phrase.  The Franklin Institute in Philadelphia is a hot spot for school field trips and visitors of all ages because they do exactly that.  They made learning fun. 

There are several permanent exhibits to explore.  You can take a walk through a model human heart in The Giant Heart exhibit.  Space Command lets you learn about space and space exploration.  Learn all about trains and take a ride in a Baldwin 6000 at The Train Factory.  Other exhibits teach about electricity, air flight and more!  Also be sure to check out the nations second oldest Planetarium, an IMAX theater and the many traveling exhibits. 

If you've never been, I highly recommend taking the trip over the bridge.  It's located right in Center City at the corner of 20th St and Ben Franklin Pkwy.  If you take the Ben Franklin Bridge - Take 676 West. Exit at the "Ben Franklin Parkway/Museum Area" exit. At the top of the exit ramp, all traffic must turn right onto 22nd Street. One block later, turn right onto the Ben Franklin Parkway. Stay in the far right hand lanes. One block later, turn right onto 21st Street. One block later, 21st Street intersects with Winter Street. Just past the intersection, the entrance to the parking garage is on your left hand side.

    

Have you been to the Zoo?

Have you been to the Philadelphia Zoo before? If not...why not?

Regardless of which bridge you prefer, the zoo is really easy to get to. Just make your way over to the Schuylkill Expressway and hop off at Exit 342. The Zoo is right there, and there is tons of parking along Girard. As long as you avoid rush hour, the Schuylkill really isn't that bad of a drive and isn't as scary as many make it out to be!

Did you know that the Zoo is the first in the United States? It's been around since 1874 - now there is some history for you! From Wikipedia -

"The Philadelphia Zoo is one of the premier zoos in the world for breeding animals that have been found difficult to breed in captivity. The zoo also works with many groups around the world to protect the natural habitats of the animals in their care.

The zoo comprises 42 acres and is home to more than 1,300 animals, many of which are rare and endangered. The zoo features a children’s zoo, a balloon ride, a paddleboat lake, and many interactive and educational exhibits."

I was there last week as part of a class field trip and the kids love it! It's a chance for them to explore, learn and just be a kid. So if you haven't been before, believe me, it's worth taking a day to visit!

Philly Commute Costs To Increase This Fall

Do you live in New Jersey and commute to work in Philadelphia?  Thinking of moving to New Jersey to commute to Philadelphia?

Starting in September, this commute could cost a few extra dollars each month.  The DRPA just announced proposed fare increases today, which if approved, will be effective September 2008.  Here is a summary from the press release:

BRIDGE TOLLS

1. A $1.00 increase September 2008, another $1.00 increase September 2010 and cost of living increases every two years after that. There will be proportional increases for all other toll classes.

2. A phase out of the commuter discount. The credit for 18 crossings a month on the same transponder will be reduced to $12 September 2008, reduced to $6.00 in September 2009 and the discount would end September 2010.

3. The Senior Citizen discount would remain with a few changes. The Senior discount will now be directly linked to an E-ZPass account and will only be accepted during off-peak hours. The peak hours when the discount will be invalid are from 6-9am and 4-7pm Monday thru Friday. The Senior Discount will be 50% of the normal toll and is limited to one crossing a day. THE DELAWARE RIVER PORT AUTHORITY REMAINS THE ONLY TOLL AGENCY IN THE COUNTRY WITH A SENIOR DISCOUNT.

4.The current commercial discount will be eliminated.

5.CREATION OF A NEW GREEN PASS DISCOUNT. This new $1.00 discount will be offered to E-ZPass customers driving low emission vehicles that get at least 45 miles to the gallon. The vehicles must meet the California Super Ultra Low Emission Vehicle or pre-model year 2005 hybrid vehicle certified to the California Ultra Low Emission Vehicle Standard. This discount is scheduled to sunset after two years.

PATCO FARES

1. A 10% increase September 2008, another 10% increase September 2010 with cost of living increases every two years after that.

2. The federally mandated reduced fare program for seniors and disabled which is now 57 cents would increase to 62 cents September 2008 and then 70 cents September 2010.

3. PATCO fares vary depending on the length of the trip however looking at the person who travels from Lindenwold, Ashland or Woodcrest, to Center City Philadelphia the cost of a one-way ticket would increase 25 cents from $2.45 to $2.70 September 2008. In September 2010, the cost would increase 30 cents from $2.70 to $3.00.

If you're intersted to learn more, there will be two public hearings. These will be held on July 22nd at Rutgers-Camden and July 23rd at the Cruise Terminal in South Philadelphia. Both hearings will be from 6pm to 8pm.

 

Versus (VS.) TV network coming to Philly

Recently I made a post citing some general observations about why I think the South Jersey region is still thriving despite all the doom and gloom coverage about the economy.  Well, I received an email this past weekend providing yet another example of how this area is still growing. 

The Versus TV network is relocating to the Philadelphia area, and with it, bringing more jobs in our backyard.  You can check them out at versus.com/jobs

Hockey fans are very familiar with Versus TV, but for those of you who are not here is some info:
Now in more than 72 million homes, the Comcast-owned network is the national cable home of the National Hockey League (NHL) and the Stanley Cup Playoffs, The Tour de France, Professional Bull Riders (PBR), World Extreme Cagefighting (WEC), Professional Boxing, the Boston Marathon and Davis Cup. The network also offers collegiate sports from top conferences such as the Pac-10, Big 12 and Mountain West.

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