Another Xanadu ?
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Hackensack NJ, Bergen County Executive Jim Tedesco promoted what he called ,” a visionary public transportation, infrastructure and economic development project between the County of Bergen and the BCIA took a major step forward after receiving unanimous approval from the NJ State Local Finance Board. The project, praised by the Finance Board for its innovation, will transform vacant property and one of the state’s busiest bus depots into a multimodal transportation hub right in downtown Hackensack, the County Seat. It’s a fact that public transportation provides economic opportunities. Every $1 invested in public transportation generates $5 in economic returns.”
Apparently the County Executive and the Finance Board didn’t get the remote work memo and have failed to notice a precipitous drop off of residents commuting to New York or anywhere.
(Ridgewood Train Station)
The coronavirus pandemic is upending work for everyone all across the globe. To prevent the virus from spreading at the workplace, more and more organizations are turning to remote work as a necessary step to continue their day-to-day operations. This unpredicted new reality represents uncharted territory for many organizations and people managers accustomed to having their employees onsite.
Tedesco went on, “Included among the project features are a new indoor bus terminal featuring a two-story passenger waiting room and electric charging stations, which will assist NJ Transit as they move forward electrifying their fleet and 96 units of workforce and veterans housing built to LEED certification. This will provide a downtown living experience for the average middle-income worker.”
“The 133 River Street project also includes two levels of enclosed parking with over 200 spaces, office space, and ground floor retail/constituent service space. The multimodal transportation hub will generate collective revenue from leased office and retail space, the workforce housing units as well as an anticipated lease with NJ Transit, which added support for the Board’s determination that the project is a sound financial investment.”
By the way didn’t the Hackensack School budget get voted down? https://theridgewoodblog.net/hackensack-voters-say-no-to-170-million-schools-proposal/
The County Executive summed it all up,” This project is transformative and furthers our goal of building a less congested, more connected, and environmentally conscious Bergen County.
Assemblywoman Holly Schepisi was not so sure , “Today after a less than 8 minute presentation with not one question posed, the New Jersey Local Government Finance Board unanimously approved a quarter of a billion dollars of new debt requested by County Executive Jim Tedesco and the rubber stamp all democratic Bergen County Board of Commissioners for new County offices and suites, a new bus terminal in Hackensack and apartments. The testimony provided incredulously stated that NO increases in taxes would take place to service this $250 MILLION obligation. There are no checks and balances left in our county or our State. This is what happens when single political parties rule too long with no opposition to call them out on fiscal responsibility.”
Bergen resident Michael Homaychak also chimed in , “County Government is redundant with local and State Government in many areas. Instead of cutting county government. The Democrats are expanding it and hiring more people and expanding office requirements. And rising property taxes are food to service the beast.”
Meanwhile back at the ranch, Murphy is shutting down the state and restricting travel….
How soon before busses are outlawed?
How about the mayor and council putting some money into the bus station in the CBD. That little building is turning to be into a real shit hole. It’s always smelly. All the wood is rotting out, I took the transit bus a few days ago, and I was looking at the building oh my God.
The Borough Hall desperately needs a coat of paint. Or are they going to let it rot and then expect taxpayers to pony up a couple hundred million for a new building. One can only imagine what the parking garage will look like in 10 years.
You’re so right village hall all the molding needs to be stripped right down repaired primed repainted correctly not half fast. It’s amazing Mile things go and go and go.