Daffodil Festival 25,000 Residents = 25,000 Daffodils
Sun, October 18, 2015 from 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
The Stable Community Center, 259 N. Maple Ave. Ridgewood, NJ 07450
Ridgewood NJ, The Conservancy for Ridgewood Public Lands has, with our community, planted 14,000 daffodil bulbs throughout our Village. The goal is 25,000.
Please join the Conservancy at the Stable, Sunday October 18, 11am-2pm, to help plant 5,000 daffodils. Then come to Van Neste Park on Sunday April 17, 2016 to celebrate our annual Daffodil Festival.
You’re invited to be a part of this new Ridgewood legacy. Please support the planting of 5 daffodils with a donation of $25. visit the website www.cfrpl.org.
Rich, thanks for the pointer to page 24.“Given that the new demand stream is not anticipated to cover debt service for the garage, the parking system will need to increase revenue on existing spaces if it is to be self-supporting.”
OCTOBER 9, 2015 LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2015, 9:09 AM
BY MARK KRULISH
STAFF WRITER |
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS
Designs and architectural renderings for a potential parking garage on Hudson Street were presented on Wednesday, providing the public an opportunity to view different proposals for the deck. A financial review was also presented.
Representatives from Desman Design Management and S&L Architecture Studio offered three different options with varying degrees of size and parking efficiency, along with distinctive architectural structures.
All three design ideas were for a four-story building with five levels of parking, one of which included a building that stayed within the footprint of the site while the other two explored taking some of the right-of-way from Hudson Street.
The Hudson Street site does have some constraints, said Desman Design principal Tim Tracy. The first option for a garage did not explore any unique solutions and contained angled parking and side ramps at the western and eastern ends of the building, which resulted in a 124,000-square-foot building and a net gain of 236 parking spaces.
The second option tinkered with the footprint of the site on the western side and resulted in a slightly larger facility at 130,000 square feet and a net gain of 253 spaces.
A third design expanded further on the idea of extending the lot and building a cantilever over the sidewalk, which would give the village a net gain of 317 spaces and a building that is 139,000 square feet. This option enables the village to get 330 square feet per car, which Tracy said is within the industry standard and also allows the access easement on the eastern end to be retained.
I hate them all so much. Throughout the state of NJ and country (taxes, tolls) and now the town, everything goes on the back of the average person.
Now they want money from people eating breakfast and dinner at all the restaurants–lunch wasn’t enough. I suspect that the restaurant owners will not be pleased.
Thursday evenings when many stores were open and the meters were “off” used to be a convenient time to shop. That’s gone.
Can I “afford” a dollar? I can afford a dollar. Am I willing to pay it? No. I also happen to detest valet parking for a long list of reasons–including that they change your radio settings and I simply don’t want strangers in my car or to tip someone for a service that I don’t need in the first place (parking in my own town).
For me and surely many others, the downtown will become even more of a place to avoid than it is now. And we’ll be stuck paying for the garage that’s being built only to absorb lost parking spaces when the apartments go up.
If we were paying more for parking to maintain Schedler as a nice park, or rebuild the dam at King’s Pond, or some other project I could support, I might feel differently. Who wants that stupid, ugly garage, anyway? Last week I advised Sook to move as soon as her lease was up (soon).
30% cost overrun for ramps at Graydon Pool & Lester Stable
October 10 ,2015
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Due to an estimating error made by the Village’s Engineering Department, the new handicapped ramps at Graydon Pool and the Lester Stable will cost $28k more than anticipated, an increase of approximately 30% above what was originally projected.
According to Village Manager Roberta Sonenfeld, the error was associated with miscalculating the quantity of materials needed for the project.
No word as to whether any disciplinary action was taken as a result of the mistake.
Ridgewod Nj, This pretty much sums up the issue. Taken verbatim from a report commissioned by the Village Council:
“Given that the new demand stream is not anticipated to cover debt service for the garage, the parking system will need to increase revenue on existing spaces if it is to be self-supporting.
There will be a natural uptick in revenue as Parkmobile becomes more utilized. Apps of this sort increase compliance and also disallow “piggybacking” onto a previous parker’s leftover meter time. We have increased revenue in 2015 and 2016 to account for Parkmobile’s impact. While a 15 percent increase is common, we are projecting a five percent increase.
Extending meter hours and enforcement until 9 pm is the first recommended step. Since daytime retail and restaurant customers pay to park, it is fair to ask evening restaurant customers to pay as well. In addition, metering the streets in the evening can provide parking management solutions to crowding in the future, should the Village wish to reduce employee parking along streets that should be available to customers.
Evening rates alone will not cover the projected debt service; it will be necessary to increase rates as well. In order to achieve a debt service coverage ratio of 1.5, our projections assume the following:
• Evening rates will go into effect in 2016.
• On-street meter rates will be increased to 75¢ along key streets (blocks 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 10, and 11) in 2016.
• Core area rates will be increased to $1 in 2017, with the rest of the on-street parking and all off-street parking going to 75¢. This is projected to be the opening year for the garage.
• After five years (in 2022), $1 parking should increase to $1.25 and 75¢ parking should increase to $1 if necessary.
• We assume some reduction in parking demand with each increase as people look for free alternatives (farther away on street, or in private lots) or choose to go elsewhere. We use an assumption of 10%.
• We have not projected a shift in demand away from Ridgewood Avenue and other core streets to the cheaper garage or other off-street lots, as we assume the 25¢ differential will not significantly alter people’s preference for convenient spaces.
We further assume that the demand reductions discussed above will cover the limited shift from more expensive to less expensive resources.
Delzio letter to the editor published on 10/2 by The Ridgewood News
Councilwoman has clear conflict
TO THE EDITOR:
Councilwoman Susan Knudsen acknowledged two weeks ago that she had recused herself from further council votes on Schedler Park. She did so through an opaque and nuanced explanation for the recusal and after she voted against the Schedler Park proposal at the Village Council meeting on Aug. 12. That’s a fact.
Councilwoman Knudsen’s conflict is simple; she failed to disclose a personal interest in property adjacent to Schedler Park. In her role as a council member, we expect Councilwoman Knudsen to be truthful and transparent, and not play games on issues that affect the future of our village.
Now that Councilwoman Knudsen has recused herself from any further Schedler discussion at the municipal level, she would better serve all citizens of the village by 1) dropping the deception and 2) assisting the Ridgewood Eastside Development group (RED) in its quest to preserve the Schedler house, which is part of the current Schedler Park development plan.
Finally, Councilwoman Knudsen’s father, Jack Traina, needlessly insulted the other members of the Village Council, see The Record, Aug. 24, at noon, amended at8:20 a.m., same day.
An apology by Susan to all involved is appropriate and warranted.
Don Delzio
CORRECTION
The Ridgewood News October 9, 2015
In a letter to the editor written by Ridgewood resident Don Delzio and published in last week’s edition, Mr. Delzio wrote that Councilwoman Susan Knudsen stated during a public meeting that she would recuse herself from “further council votes” and “further Schedler discussion at the municipal level.”
Councilwoman Knudsen made no such statement. She stated that when the village attorney suggested that there might be a conflict that she heeded his advice until such time that the Local Finance Board responds to her inquiry.
The letter also stated that the councilwoman failed to disclose a personal interest in property adjacent to Schedler Park. Councilwoman Knudsen does not own any property adjacent to or near Schedler Park. The councilwoman stated at the meeting that her family member who lives in the vicinity of Schedler does not live in her household. Tax records reveal that her parents own property near Schedler.
The Ridgewood News regrets the errors and any embarrassment or distress it may have caused Councilwoman Knudsen.
I said there is no net gain, because there is no net gain. In the case of Brogan, those spaces are being lost because the Council majority approved the introduction of ordinances which allow for development of the property. That same majority is touting a net gain in total number of parking spaces due to this garage plan; they’ve conveniently forgotten about the lost spaces at Brogan caused by their approval of development there. And you seem to have conveniently forgotten about the loss of street spots on Hudson Street. If the garage is full of those who now park at Brogan and Ken Smith, and who could perhaps park there for years if it were not for the Council majority’s rush for massive development, where’s the net gain for use by shoppers and restaurant patrons? I oppose this plan because it is asinine, expensive, and nothing more than a shoot from the hip attempt buying the good will of and future campaign contributions from major property owners in the Village.
SPRING AWAKENING’s Ali Stroker caught the acting bug at age seven, five years after being paralyzed from the chest down in a car accident.
“I was a little girl in a wheelchair. And then when I started to perform, I felt like I was now an actress and a singer. And it gave me another identity. And it made me feel really good.”
Stroker talks with CBS Evening News about her road to Broadway.
….Several weeks back it was posted on the blog that the grass roots group Citizens for a Better Ridgewood had filed suit against the Village of Ridgewood and or The Ridgewood Planning Board to stop the change in the master plan for the CBD. The Fly has since learned that no one at Village Hall has any knowledge or has been served with the paperwork . Can someone enlighten the Fly on where the law suit stands?
It is quite ironic that the restaurant owners who lobbied so long and hard for this garage (Saraceno, Sullivan, & Vagianos) screwed themselves and their patrons in the process by demanding a structure so large (i.e., expensive) be built that the only way to pay for it is by extending metered parking times until well into the evening.
I can’t wait until they come running back to the Council a few years from now asking that the metered parking be pushed back until 6 PM because their businesses are suffering.
Lesson to be learned John, Ed, and Paul – You can’t have your cake and eat it too!
Ridgewood NJ, The Ridgewood Elks Lodge, located at 111 N. Maple Ave., has completed a massive renovation of their bar area.
New bar, carpeting, and raised ceiling for a comfortable feel.
The Elks is only 1 or 2 lodges in the state of New Jersey that is open to the public.
Stop in for the best pricing on drinks and burgers in town. Open Monday to Friday, 5 pm. to Midnight.
Look for the OPEN light in the window.
Thinking of a rental for a party?
Our massive hall is ideal for any function. And, we’re one of the few halls that has a real bar and real liquor license.
Need more information, stop by or call 201-652-1100
Did anyone know, our Village Hall was the original Elks Lodge?
Unjunked, Sustainably-Sourced Versions of America’s Favorite Candies Now Available at Whole Foods Market Ridgewood in Limited Edition, “Day of the Dead” 3-D Themed Packaging
October 8,2015
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, UnReal®, the unjunked food company, announced today that it has partnered with Whole Foods Market® Ridgewood at 44 Godwin Avenue and other regional Whole Food Market stores this Halloween to offer its junk-free candies in limited edition, 3-D packaging with a “Day of the Dead” theme. Now, for the first time, kids and families in the neighborhood can treat themselves to unjunked versions of traditional candies like Reese’s® and M&M’s® that taste unbelievably delicious – no tricks, just 100% real treats. UnReal is reinventing America’s favorite candies by ethically sourcing the best-tasting, non-GMO ingredients without gluten, corn, or soy – and with up to 40% less sugar per serving. The brand’s limited edition seasonal product offerings include a 3-D Halloween Bucket with four varieties of treat size UnReal candies, as well as four different bags containing 10 treat size UnReal candies.
“Whole Foods customers want healthier options for their families without compromising taste and fun, so we’re offering them the Halloween candy they love – without the excess sugar and artificial ingredients that come with the typical trick-or-treat haul,” said UnReal CEO, Steve Konczal. “Halloween is a time when parents are conflicted, wanting their kids to enjoy candy, and yet mindful of the very real health issues. So, we’re launching a super-natural candy revolution alongside Whole Foods Market, and we’re aiming to reclaim Halloween by unjunking it. Together with fun packaging and in-store merchandising grounded in the true ethos of Halloween, we’re helping consumers make a better choice during the biggest candy-buying holiday of the year, when a staggering $3 billion of chocolate candy is purchased.“
Available now at Whole Foods Market Ridgewood, the limited edition UnReal Halloween Buckets feature innovative, 3-D designs with a colorful “Day of the Dead” theme created by renowned illustrator, Steve Simpson. The Halloween Bucket is a one-gallon “paint can” designed for trick-or-treating or for carrying to a party. It’s filled with 40 pieces of individually wrapped UnReal candy in four varieties — UnReal Milk Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups, UnReal Dark Chocolate Coconut Peanut Butter Cups, UnReal Candy Coated Milk Chocolates and UnReal Candy Coated Milk Chocolate Peanuts. Four varieties of bags are also available, each containing 10 individually wrapped UnReal candies. Suggested retail pricing is $19.99 for the Halloween Bucket, and $4.99 for each of the 10 piece bags. UnReal’s candy will be showcased with striking and imaginative displays, including painted skulls, all in the spirit of celebrating life and turning reality into unreality at Halloween.
Started by two teenager brothers after much of their Halloween candy was confiscated by their parents, UnReal is making America’s favorite candies better tasting, using the healthiest and most sustainable ingredients possible. While healthy confectionery has historically compromised on taste to deliver on better-for-you ingredients, UnReal puts flavor at the forefront. The team has explored over 1,000 recipes, searching the globe for the best tasting healthy, fair trade, organic, and sustainably-sourced ingredients for its unique recipes. To get your own UnReal Halloween treats, visit Whole Foods Market at 44 Godwin Avenue – or to purchase online, visit https://www.getunreal.com.
Click Here to read the complete Walker Parking Garage Feasibility Study that was presented in the October 7, 2015 Village Council Public Work Session.
Special Public Hearing – October 14, 2015
The Village Council of the Village of Ridgewood shall conduct a Public Hearing in the Sydney V. Stoldt, Jr. Court Room on the fourth floor of the Ridgewood Village Hall, 131 North Maple Ave., Ridgewood, NJ at its October 14, 2015 Regular Public Meeting, which meeting begins at 8:00 p.m.
The purpose of this Public Hearing is for the Village Council to receive comments and suggestions from the public for the Village of Ridgewood’s 2015 Bergen County Open Space Trust Fund Municipal Park Improvement and Development Grant application. The Village has applied for this grant for Phase 1 work on the Schedler Park property, located at 460 West Saddle River Road, Ridgewood, NJ. Phase 1 would encompass basic infrastructure improvements to include: installation of underground utilities (water, electric, sewer); demolition of two-car garage, small shed; capping of inoperable well; selective removal of down, dead, diseased trees; site clean-up; and cut in proposed parking lot driveway entrance.
Ridgewood NJ, Did you watch the UStream from the Village Council meeting last night about the parking garage?
The plan is one of the most bizarre I’ve ever heard of.
Here’s why:
1) No net gain of spaces due to loss of at least 1, if not more private lots because of high density housing (Brogan), and the loss of 17 on street spaces on Hudson Street (Mt. Carmel church goers get screwed, as we expected they would).
2) Garage must be full, yes full, in order for it to pay for itself. They will fill with commuters during day, including out of towners. They will also push all valeted cars into lot at night. Expect them to change zoning to prohibit valeted cars from being parked on private property. Also expect them to push all employee parking (now at Ken Smith) into lot. In short, there will be no room in lot for shoppers/restaurant users during the day.
3) On street metered parking will soon begin at 9AM and end at 9PM. “Premium” on street spots will now cost $1.00 per hour and escalate each year. Rates in surface lots will also increase at the rate of 25 cents per year beginning at 75 cents per hour. Expect parking charges to be incurred on Sundays if money is tight.
4) No mention whatsoever of how much it will cost to park in the garage, but there was talk about making it a 24/7 pay to park facility.
5) Enforcement will escalate to bring in more revenue. More parking enforcement agents?
6) No answer provided to the question of whether parking utility revenues now allocated to fund Village operations will need to be funneled to pay for the garage, leaving tax payers the burden of replacing the funds – increased property taxes maybe?
7) After hearing all of this, Councilwoman Gwenn Hauck had nothing to say other than “I’m all about aesthetics,” at which point she then proceeded to lambaste the garage design firm about the exterior appearance of the facility. Can you believe that one?
In short, this entire parking garage will be the biggest boondoggle Village taxpayers will experience in decades, if not the last century.
VOTE “NO” ON NOVEMBER 3 IF YOU HAVE ANY COMMON SENSE.
Ridgewood NJ, the above Picture is taken near the Exxon station which we know would have been an ideal spot for a parking garage.
Confirmed the station is closing next week.
So, this picture shows; Street light near La Bocca is on 24 hours a day. ( Also one down the block)
Small traffic cone across from the barber shop. That used to be a lamp post. Older gentleman hit it in December. When someone complained to the town it looked like it was falling down, lamp post was removed. 10 months and not replaced? Surprised no one has stolen the cone.
Traffic sign near the Woof-Furry, completely bent. Street sign pole to the right of that, leaning precariously.
