
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
HACKENSACK, NJ — The newly elected Hackensack City Council is pressing the brakes on a nearly $12 million plan to build a large indoor sports complex in Johnson Park — a project approved by the previous administration and heavily criticized by residents from the start.
In a unanimous vote at a special council meeting on August 4, officials adopted a resolution to suspend the $11.98 million construction contract with APS Contracting Inc., citing a strong desire to re-evaluate the project based on community input and broader public benefit.
“The sports complex is something almost no one in Hackensack has wanted since day one — except a few former council members,” said Mayor Caseen Gaines. “We want something in Johnson Park that benefits the greatest number of residents, not just a select few, and doesn’t take another decade to build.”
🛑 Why the Pause?
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Ground was broken in May, but no major construction work has begun.
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Residents have long raised concerns about:
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Project cost overruns
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Limited community benefit
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Taxpayer burden in a time of rising rents and taxes
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The plan has ballooned from an estimated $7M in 2016 to a projected $40M+, despite an original timeline of just two years.
The suspension triggers a “for convenience” clause in the contract — meaning the city can halt progress without financial penalties.
⚽ What Was Planned?
The previous plans called for a 70,400 sq. ft. indoor stadium-style facility with:
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A full-size turf field (convertible into multiple smaller fields)
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Baseball infield areas
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Wrestling space
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Bleachers, concessions & offices
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Large private-use rental opportunities to outside clubs
The prior administration promoted the complex as a potential revenue generator, but critics argued it would serve too few residents while costing many millions.
🔍 What Happens Next?
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Council members say this is not about cancelling improvements — it’s about rethinking the best use of Johnson Park.
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The city will now:
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Gather public feedback on new ideas for the space
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Explore less costly outdoor recreational features
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Retain the parking expansion plan (~250 spaces) to better serve park users
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Coordinate any redesigned use with state DEP over environmental remediation needs
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“We aren’t going to saddle residents with bad decisions from the past,” said Councilman Philip Carroll. “We’ll build something cheaper, smarter, and for everyone — not just for a select group.”
📣 Your Voice Matters
Hackensack officials say they will be announcing community listening sessions soon. Residents are strongly encouraged to participate and help shape the future of one of the city’s largest green spaces.
🗨️ What do you think should go in Johnson Park instead of a massive sports dome? Playgrounds? Outdoor courts? Gardens? Amphitheater? Drop your ideas in the comments!
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Good for you Hackensack.
This is the way it should have been done to begin with. Residents should have an input. After all it’s their tax dollars that are being used and their neighborhood.
As Ridgewood continues to transition from village to mini-city, we can learn a lot from our friends in Hackensack.