New arts council in Ridgewood will consider performing arts center
Thursday November 29, 2012, 4:54 PM
BY DARIUS AMOS
STAFF WRITER
The Ridgewood News
Even before he became mayor and was elected to the Village Council, Paul Aronsohn took weekend strolls through the Central Business District and marveled at a specific building, which aesthetically stood out from the rest. The building, he recalled thinking at that time, could be used for a different purpose.
And when Bank of America finally moved from the location in 2010 and left the building at the corner of East Ridgewood Avenue and Prospect Street vacant, those thoughts churned even faster.
“My wife and I used to stop at the Bank of America building and peer inside. We used to say that this would be a great theater or arts center,” Aronsohn said earlier this week. Evidently, the thought was not unique to the mayor’s household.
This project has to many problems and details to be worked out first.
Who is going to pay for this this center ? Who is going to pay for the two parking garages? Who is going to pay for the development of the Shedler baseball fields and house?Lets not forget the BOED out of control spending that makes up 2/3 of our tax bill. How can the Mayor say anything about this building when he has ” just peered in the windows”. Is that how our Mayor makes his decisions by just peering in the window.
The building is not suitable for a “theatre operation”…on a building with a high tax ratable within a high end business district …It could not survive.
Consideration should be considered there for a small hotel with small conference rooms, small food shop and more. Regular business travelers visiting Ridgewood.
Ridgewood has train and bus transporation … Ridgewood once had a small hotel.
Hotel operations produce daily income and the potential for investors to consideration such an operation.
PS. Ridgewood News Editor ‘semi-indorsement’ is short sited and should stick to getting the News out.
Endorsements are usually made when a project is ready to get off the ground. This one is NOT ready.
Sorry Vic…
Now that sound like a plan #3. To take this property off the tax rolls is irresponsible . Unfortunately for us our Mayor Aronsohn made campaign promises in exchange for votes or he is padding his resume for the future. Why else would even suggest this. Next we will be hearing that there will be grants and donations to support this project but in long run we end paying for the maintenance and upkeep and he will long gone.
It takes time to break in a Mayor… and some Council members.
Perhaps, it would help if you meet with him Saturday morning and explain things.
I’ll bring the coffee….
I’ve been in that building many times as a customer. It is a typical old style bank building and would take millions in renovations. If someone has that kind of money to donate to the Village then I’m all for it. But you make a good point about the tax roll. How much does it pay in taxes right now? I did get a laugh though about the peeping Tom comment.
#6 AKA Dom. The mayor has been on the Council 4 years. How long does it take to break him in? Wasn’t he pay attention all those years? He certainly was vocal about issues that were near and dear to him. I’m particular who I have coffee with