the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, on the Facebook page ,”It takes a Ridgewood Village “Steve Kim points out what the Ridgewood blog has continued to point out to no avail for so many years ,more pressing than parking is the problem with traffic congestion in the Village of Ridgewood. The problem has been so ignored that the Village has over the years exacerbated the situation with so called “traffic easing” ie turn 2 lanes into one under the trestle and install a suicide bike lane . Place “valet” parking eating up street parking and of coarse approving massive high density housing in the central business district .
Mr Kim points to a future problem ;
“The proposed Performing Arts Center at RHS is 36,000 square feet in size with 1000 seats.
Let’s say on a sold out event, 300 cars converge.
There are maybe 60 or so parking spots at the school for all purposes? Where would these cars go? The proposed build would reduce, not increase the number of spots.
From S Maple to Paramus Road is about 6,500 feet in length. An average car length is 15 feet. Assume 10 feet between cars.
300 x 25 = 7,500 feet
Assuming there is no other through traffic (E Ridgewood is a busy street), just the cars going to PAC would more than cover from S Maple to Paramus Road end to end. This will be an intractable logistical issue…
RHS is not a feasible location for PAC.
Traffic, parking and security are key issues. Moreover, borrowing $30 million to build one is impulsive, fiscally irresponsible, and will impact school operations.”
I do not drive anywhere near the CBD…I go around.
You’re going to need to widen that radius given all that’s happening…
The performing arts center is being proposed because the band, orchestra and choir currently “perform” in the CAFETERIA or rent the sanctuary at West Side Presbyterian Church for their spring concerts. Space for music at RHS is beyond subpar. Currently, the families of band, orchestra and choir students park on the street or in the parking lot for performances. So if the number of seats was reduced from 1,000 to reflect the number of people who would typically attend a performance, the parking situation would remain unchanged.
People just wait and see until all these apartments are done in the CBD. If you think it’s bad now oh my God. Park your car and walk or buy a bicycle.
Yes walk or bike! So much better for you AND the environment!!
Start walking!
I love all this congestion. There’s going to be so much more traffic from all these new condos being built. More people more cars more shopping more spending yes. And more of the things we never think about or talk about. Just think about 1000 more people living in the CBD. Think about all these people need supplies food services it’s going to be interesting. I wonder how much the town is receiving in taxes at all these locations being built. And what are we providing them in return just interesting just curious just a thought anyone now.
Ok, let’s presume that the space for choir, band and orchestra is “sub-par”. Not agreeing that this is as important as more/better teachers, etc but let’s just accept that. Is the PAC worth $30M? Question in my mind that we need a $30M anything in town. If you consider that resources (ie taxpayer’s willingness to pay more taxes to pay off bond vs maybe instead buying a home in Ho-Ho-Kus or Wyckoff) would think answer is obvious.
I have three words for you: Gwenn. Albert. Paul. Thank them when you see them. One walks dogs up and down Linwood Avenue. One skulks around Stop and Shop. One runs a bible study at the church across from Stop and Shop. Let us pray
Welcome to small towns USA becoming mini cities. This is not unique to RW. Hackensack, Summit, Milburn, Westfield, Montclair and Deleware, North Carolina, Austin, Portland,…. Population explosion, incoming migration from Europe and South America. Make more money and spend more money. We have become greedy. Traffic is a minor low risk result that government is willing to take