At the Schools It was news to the Board of Ed. BOE Attorney Anthony D’Elia sent a letter on May 24 to Clifton City Manager Al Greco concerning the Council’s recent announcement that it planned to construct ball fields on the Athenia Steel property. This came as somewhat of a surprise to D’Elia who wrote, “The Board has not ruled out any sites which might be utilized to address the overcrowding situation, including Athenia Steel.” D’Elia then asked that the Council address traffic and environmental concerns at the site, if it feels Athenia may be used for a school. Last month, the city said it planned to start construction next year on a 30-acre park at the former Athenia Steel industrial site. The first phase of the project involves the construction of two soccer/lacrosse fields. The plan may also include a bike path and walking trail in the woods by the fields. The second phase calls for a playground, an ice hockey rink, a softball field and a basketball court. The city would need to get state approval to construct an access road along a rail line on the site’s east side. It would also need permission from Trenton to build on the northern section of the site. The BOE voted 7-0 on May 17 to accept the Council’s suggested reduction of the school budget by one tax point, or $527,000. Superintendent Michael Rice said the Board will cut $327,000 from health insurance and the other $200,000 will be offset by an increase in interest earned at the district’s new bank. by Jordan Schwartz 78
June 2007 • Clifton Merchant
This image should be very familiar to Cliftonites. It first appeared on the cover of the Nov. 2003 Clifton Merchant Magazine, illustrating the school overcrowding.
Athenia Steel Timeline January 1907 – A small steel mill opens in Athenia. January 1937 – National Standard Company of Niles, Michigan purchases the company from its founders for an undisclosed price. June 1987 – National Standard says it has received purchase offers from several parties who promise to continue operating the plant. January 1988 – National Standard announces Athenia Steel will cease operating on the 35 acre tract at the end of February. November 1990 – The adjacent former Shulton and Athenia Steel tracts are rezoned as planned development sites, which allows the properties to be used for commercial development, as well as manufacturing. July 1999 – The City Council agrees to buy the 35-acre tract for $5.5 million. The Council plans to build 250 subsidized senior citizen apartments in two four-story buildings on the site. The plan also calls for two baseball fields, two soccer fields, and four basketball courts. Mayor James Anzaldi says he wants to break ground within two years. As a condition of the sale, National Standard agrees to pay for an environmental cleanup of the grounds. January 2001 – Council votes unanimously to rezone the Athenia Steel property to allow for construction of the senior housing and rec facilities. January 2002 – Clifton receives a grant of $250,000 from Passaic County to pay for designs of ball fields planned for the Athenia Steel tract. July 2002 – NJDEP approves National Standard’s cleanup of the first six acres of the Athenia Steel site. Clifton pays $1.72 million for the six acres. Former City Manager Bob Hammer says he believes a 125-unit senior citizen complex will be complete on the tract within 18 months. June 14, 2003 – Council members ceremoniously break ground for the 125 unit senior citizens complex that was completed in the Fall, 2004. November 2006 – NJDEP declares the site’s northern section free of industrial contaminants. May 2007 – The City Council announces plans to construct a 30-acre park.