As sure as you’re born, a parking garage erected by Ridgewood’s village government will be co-opted for use by out-of-town commuters in accordance with the preferences of those seeking to dismantle New Jersey’s deeply ingrained “home rule” tradition and replace it with a new oligarchical style of regional government. Imagine a regional, multi-county board of overseers populated by Gwen Hauck-type cloned hand-puppets easily manipulated by nameless, faceless third-party wealthy power brokers. That’s what many forward-thinking progressive statists see in their dreams. They don’t give a whit about mere business owners and their parking concerns…
A parking garage that close to the train station and bus stop would be sufficient to serve commuters. The street level spaces near the should all be limited to 3 hors for the benefit of CBD businesses and their customers. Oh, and parking should be free on Sundays. Okay, now someone else can be king for a day…
The chamber wants it for increase parking for the business but you say it for the commuters. Can’t have it both way. And if you think that the commuter are going to get off the train and eat and shop in Ridgewood I don’t think so. Commuter just want to get home after a long day. On a side not if they get off the train after 5:30 they couldn’t shop anyway all the store are closed. Which is it?
If it is meant to be a place for long-term commuter parking, then I can see a better chance of it working. For this to happen, the existing all-day parking bays at/near the train station and the bus station will need to be changed to meters that only allow short-term parking intended for shoppers and diners.
The parking garage under consideration would be constructed across the street from Our Lady if Mount Carmel Church. Has this location been determined to be the best? What happened to the lot across the street from TD Bank on Franklin Avenue? Wasn’t that lot condemned for the purpose of erecting a parking garage? And wasn’t a bond issued at the time that we never used to build the structure?
Readers say at the end of the Taxpayers will be on the hook for the garage while business,developers and NJT will all benefit from it
My questions:
1. What happens if parking revenues fall short of expectations?
2. What is the proposed parking fee structure for the new garage?
These are very important questions and I will explain why. For the first one, the answer is pretty obvious. The Village taxpayers will be on the hook for it as the construction bond cannot be reneged on just because you hoped there would be enough revenue. The second one will absolutely dictate the success or failure of the entire project. Any fee structure that is more than street parking will completely disincentivize most people from using the garage. They will circle the blocks until a street space frees up, or they will go somewhere else to eat/shop. As I’ve stated before, this garage will represent the parking location of absolute last resort, and I predict it will be viewed in years to come as one of those “what were they thinking” buildings.
Its called a shell game. money from the parking revenue is now used to support the town budget. money from the new garage if a surplus will be used to pay the loan off on the new garage. If revenue from the new garage isn’t adequate the town (I mean taxpayers) will have to make up the shortfall.
Or should the Village tax the CBD landlords for the garage or local businesses, their the ones that are going to profit from it.
Ridgewood NJ, Walker Parking study compares a traditional self storage parking complex of 5 stories to using an automated vehicle storage and retrieval system(AVSRS). A 5 level self park structure would increase parking approximately 350 spaces while the AVSRS at a significantly higher cost would add approximately 393 spaces according to Walker.
Walker looked at 2 types of automated parking systems Puzzle and Rack .
Self park would cost roughly $42,200 per car and total cost estimate of $11,500,000.
Puzzle Automated Park $60,900 per car and total cost estimate of $23,900,000.
Rack Automated Park $53,800 per car and total cost estimate of $17,310,000.
Larger capacity self park 394 spaces , $30,800 per car and total cost estimate $12,140,000.
Walker Parking Consultant Study – Ridgewood Hudson Street – July 5th
Parents are often at fault, directly or indirectly, when children and teenagers become hooked on electronic media, playing video games or sending texts many hours a day instead of interacting with the real world and the people in it. And as discussed in last week’s column, digital overload can impair a child’s social, emotional and intellectual growth.
This sad conclusion of many experts in child development has prompted them to suggest ways parents can prevent or rectify the problem before undue damage occurs.
“There’s nothing about this that can’t be fixed,” said Catherine Steiner-Adair, a Harvard-affiliated psychologist. “And the sooner, the better.”
As Susan Stiffelman, a family therapist, put it in The Huffington Post, today’s parents are unprepared “to deal with the intense pull and highly addictive nature of what the online world has to offer. As parents, we have an opportunity to guide our kids so that they can learn habits that help them make use of the digital world, without being swallowed whole by it.”
Ridgewood NJ, Is it just me, or does the draft wording of the proposed non-binding referendum question suggest that property tax revenues will not be required to finance or build a “downtown parking garage?”
The proposed wording of the question voters would see on Election Day, read aloud by Mayor Paul Aronsohn during last Wednesday evening’s Village Council Work Session, is as follows:
“Do you support a proposal to finance and build a downtown parking garage on the Hudson Street lot, located at the corner of Hudson Street and South Broad Street, by bonding up to 15 million dollars of public funds, which would be paid for by using parking revenues.”
Doesn’t the wording of this question imply that parking revenues will be the sole source of funding required garage financing and construction?
So what happens if there’s a recession, like we had in 2008, and people cut way back on shopping and dining out. No shoppers, and no diners means no parking revenue. Then who’s left holding the bag? You guessed it folks!
Remember fellow voters, the Village Hall renovation project was sold to taxpayers with a projected cost of $4.5 million. At $11 million, they stopped counting. To this day, we still don’t know how much was spent renovating Village Hall.
I’m skeptical that parking revenues alone can pay for a $15 million garage. I’m also skeptical that the brain trust at Village Hall would be actually able to bring in a project on time and on budget.
Before you enter the voting booth this coming November, know exactly what you’re voting for and how it might impact your pocketbook/wallet (i.e., property tax increases).
NONBINDING REFERENDA – ALL MUNICIPALITIES AND COUNTIES
The governing body of any municipality or county may “ascertain the sentiment of the legal voters of the municipality or county upon any question or policy pertaining to the government or internal affairs thereof” by adopting an ordinance or resolution at a regular meeting requesting that the proposition appear on the ballot at the next general election. The request must be filed with the county clerk no later than 74 days before the election. (N.J.S.A. 19:37-1 et seq.)
Once a municipal governing body has adopted a resolution or ordinance placing a nonbinding proposition before the voters and transmitted the request to the county clerk, the voters of the municipality have the power to place a reasonably related nonbinding question or policy before the voters by presenting to the governing body a petition signed by 10% or more of the registered and qualified voters of the municipality. The governing body must adopt a resolution at its next regular meeting requesting the county clerk to print the proposition as formulated and expressed in the petition on the ballot and must file the request with the clerk no later than 60 days prior to the election. (N.J.S.A. 19:37-1.1)
Ridgewood NJ, On Friday July 10th , the Ridgewood Guild mixed its weekly summer program, Music In the Night, with the first ever Art in the Park. The Art was located in and around Van Neste Square Memorial Park. Visual artists will be present with their work on display and for sale.
The musical feature at the park was Take 4, a trio fronted by James Mabli and around town, the following musical artists participated in front of Village restaurants:
Mike Flanagan – It’s Greek to Me
Emily Ertle – Ridgewood Coffee Company
Brielle Liebman – Due / LaTour / Malee
Dom Boresta – Mediterraneo / Sant. Egidio
Deirdre Morgan – Kilwin’s
Jake Thistle – Ben and Jerry’s
Johnny Horizon – Daily Treat
Memorial Park at Van Neste Square, E. Ridgewood Ave. at Van Neste Square
PERFORMANCES: Jul 19
Sunday @ 1PM in Van Neste Park, Ridgewood
Directed by Ryan Pifher
Starring PLP’s Summer Interns
A special thank you to our show sponsor: Ridgewood Chamber of Commerce
Shakespeare’s classic love story gets a modern update with PLP’s latest adaptation starring our summer interns. Check out this dynamic performance in Van Neste park in Ridgewood and visit Porch Light’s table for discounts and info on our upcoming season.
For more details, please call us at 201-445-2600 or email [email protected] www.experienceridgewood.com
Ridgewood NJ, On Saturday, July 11th, Ridgewood Parks & Recreation, in cooperation with Jacobsen Landscape Design and Construction Inc. of Midland Park, hosted the Great Ridgewood Duck Derby at Graydon Pool. Residents came out and embraced the national “Come Alive Outside” campaign and joined in for an afternoon of fun family activity.
This event featured an array of different types of entertainment. There was a number of different kinds of activities throughout the day such as beach games, a sand sculpture contest, duck decorating, face painting, and ultimately concluding with an exciting rubber duck race down the Ho Ho Kus Brook.
Review: Harper Lee’s ‘Go Set a Watchman’ Gives Atticus Finch a Dark Side
By MICHIKO KAKUTANI
We remember Atticus Finch inHarper Lee’s 1960 classic, “To Kill a Mockingbird,” as that novel’s moral conscience: kind, wise, honorable, an avatar of integrity who used his gifts as a lawyer to defend a black man falsely accused of raping a white woman in a small Alabama town filled with prejudice and hatred in the 1930s. As indelibly played by Gregory Peck in the 1962 movie, he was the perfect man — the ideal father and a principled idealist, an enlightened, almost saintly believer in justice and fairness. In real life, people named their children after Atticus. People went to law school and became lawyers because of Atticus.
Lisa Mayisoglu of Lisa’s Mediterranean Cuisine Introduces Personal Training and Healthy Meal Services
(RIDGEWOOD, NJ, July 9, 2015 — Lisa Mayisoglu, Chef/Owner of Lisa’s Mediterranean Cuisine, is pleased to announce an exciting new business venture, Mediterranean Zone, which combines her two greatest passions, food and fitness.
Mayisoglu, a certified Personal Trainer and Nutrition Consultant, is now offering personal in-home training sessions, group fitness classes and balanced, healthy meals for clients.Mayisoglu, an avid fitness enthusiast and marathon runner, has acquired advanced training in fitness, wellness, nutrition and weight management for all ages. Said Mayisoglu, “Life is too short; I believe everyone should do what makes them happy. Fitness and food are huge parts of my life and with Mediterranean Zone, I have created a business that combines both. People lead such busy lifestyles and often don’t have time to take care of themselves properly. By offering exercise instruction and healthy, portion controlled meals, I’d like to help people lead healthier, more active lifestyles.”
In-home personal training sessions begin with an initial complimentary baseline fitness assessment, followed by exercise routines which are customized for each client based on levels and goals. Each program focuses on cardiovascular exercise, strength and agility building, balance and flexibility. By
using a mix of kettle bells, resistance bands, weights, Pilates/Bousu/medicine balls and more, Mediterranean Zones’ always-varying routines keep clients motivated and enthusiastic. Individual 55 minute sessions are $100, or ten sessions can be purchased for $900.
Mediterranean Zone also ofers group classes for those who want to team up with others on a fitness journey. Fat Burning, Energy Zone, Strength and Cardio classes include a total body workout in a group setting to boost motivation. Sessions are held Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings 8:00am, 9:30am and 10:30am now through October at the Ridgewood Duck Pond (1100 East Ridgewood Avenue, Ridgewood). Individual 55 minute sessions are $25, ten sessions $200. Reservations are suggested Tel. 201.978.5384.
To complement Mediterranean Zone’s fitness instruction, nutritional support is available for a complete lifestyle change. Mediterranean Zone meals, which are prepared at Lisa’s Mediterranean Cuisine and exclusive to fitness clients, can be picked up at the restaurant or delivered during in-
home sessions. The menu includes several deliciously, healthy appetizers, salads, main dishes and sides, each with calorie content and portion size noted. Highlights include:
Added Mayisoglu, “Fad diets come and go. The Mediterranean diet has been around for ages andproven to reduce the risk of heart disease and cancer. Mediterranean Zone’s menu includes heart-healthy foods that taste great and will naturally promote weight loss. Most diets aren’t successful
because they leave people feeling hungry; that simply isn’t the case here. This isn’t a diet, it’s a lifestyle with real food. You won’t find any shakes on our menu.”
Mediterranean Zone is located at 28 Oak Street, Ridgewood, NJ 07450. For more information, clients can call 201.978.5384, or visit https://www.facebook.com/MediterraneanZone, or Instagram at Mediterranean_Zone.
Fallen Ridgewood Tree Limb takes out Power Hawthorne
July 11,2015
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, On 7/10/2015: Police and fire department personnel in two (2) neighboring municipalities responded to separate reports of fallen tree limbs that blocked roadways and disrupted electric service late Friday afternoon.
Ridgewood public safety teams were dispatched to a home on Oak Street, where a Village owned tree limb had fallen on the front lawn, knocking out electric, phone, and cable TV services. In neighboring Hawthorne, police and fire units converged on Minerva Avenue, where a limb from a privately owned tree had crashed to the ground, destroying a back yard shed and taking down several wires. No injuries were reported in either incident.
Reader says Village should offer an alligator amnesty program for residents who wish to get rid of these illegal, exotic pets?
Ridgewood NJ, Village and Wildlife officials in Bergen County believe an alligator found swimming in the Passaic River Wednesday may have been someone’s pet that was released into the wild.
The alligator discovery is now raising concerns about how the owners obtained it in the first place and where it will go.
In New Jersey alligators are classified as a “potentially dangerous species,” which means only highly trained expert should be handling them . A source at the Village Hall said , “keeping Graydon gator free is a top Village priority “.
Ridgewood NJ, Come enjoy beautiful music and art in downtown Ridgewood, NJ tomorrow, July 10, 2015. The Ridgewood Guild is coupling its weekly summer program, Music In the Night, with the first ever Art in the Park.This will be located in Van Neste Square Memorial Park. Visual artists will be present with their work on display and for sale.
The musical feature at the park will be Take 4, a trio fronted by James Mabli.
Around town, you can catch the following musical artists at these fine restaurants:
Mike Flanagan – It’s Greek to Me Emily Ertle – Ridgewood Coffee Company Brielle Liebman – Due / LaTour / Malee Dom Boresta – Mediterraneo / Sant. Egidio Deirdre Morgan – Kilwin’s Jake Thistle – Ben and Jerry’s Johnny Horizon – Daily Treat
