file photo by Boyd Loving
December 18,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, New bank at the site of a former gas station on Godwin just up from Garber square and the Ridgewood train station is starting to look like an accident waiting to happen.
In a recent email a reader pointed out; “How will people drivers try to make a left into their from town side approach Its entrance looks to be right next to the whole foods exit only driveway ..add in a Ped crosswalk right there and you have a problem, Houston. So much for Village planning. A no left turn from town might solve it but the drive thru bank will likely not stand for that, most days traffic comes from town. I’m sure the drive up is a selling point. No problem from midland park side if town nor soft exit towards the train side if people let them merge into the deadman’s curve.”
Wasn’t a problem when it was a gas station???
Who goes to a brick and mortar bank anymore? It’s more likely going to be used for free parking during quick errands. Same as the ones on Franklin.
Have been dreading this since it started. Very narrow there, with a blind corner. Horrible decision.
What is the banks name?
So one accident and we’re questioning the danger of having a bank there. In case anyone hasn’t noticed, the bank is still a construction site, so this accident had nothing to do with the the place eventually opening as a bank.
As for saying it wasn’t a problem when it was a gas station, are you stupid? The in/out traffic with a gas station is multiple times more than any bank will be. In case that’s too confusing for you, traffic will be reduced from what it was.
While I do agree that building a new brick and mortar bank makes no economic sense, that’s a decision for the bank’s shareholders to consider. With so many vacant business premises around town, we should be happy that construction workers are getting work, bank staff will be getting work, and the Village will be getting tax revenue. The old Red Cross building on the other side of Whole Foods will hopefully get bought soon. That will likely be professional offices or apartments. I hope so.
the article speaks to the planning and traffic congestion, the accident photo is a file photo from a prior incident one of which there have been many on Godwin near Whole Foods. Many readers have emailed concerns thinking the new configuration will make things worse
Oooh good. Finally a bank in Ridgewood.
Now if we can only get some restaurants to open in town…
James is right,,better to voice concerns now ,than ignore the reality that traffic will increase from today’s level in that narrow avenue,,Whole foods traffic has increased,Saying that the old high priced gas station is the correct comparative is likely a faulty comparison.The former gas station had a massive open curbed easy entry profile rather than a narrow formal driveway as the new bank appears to have now closer to the pedestrian walkway.During Holidays Ridgewood police actively manage traffic in this narrow section of that avenue.
It’s going to be a Capital One bank.
The gas station was also a commuter lot, holding about 60 cars. And, after work, those commuters would make left or right turns out of the lots plus those buying gas, etc.
I really don’t think it makes much difference. When I have gone to Capital One in town, there was hardly anyone there.
As with most banks, they have aligned themselves with brokerages or have bought them to have a one stop experience….
They leased the property from the station and has cost the bank more than anticipated.
They , the experts who do all the research, say to feel gratitude. I feel grateful that I live on the east side and rarely have to travel to the west side and when I do I will go another route. That whole underpass and Whole Foods area is too much for me.
Maybe I would feel better on a bike.