September 28,2017
by Boyd A. Loving
During a Special Public Meeting of the Ridgewood Village Council held on Wednesday, September 27, Council members approved Resolution #17-291, “Central Valet Pilot Program in Central Business District” by a 4-0 vote (Councilwoman Bernadette Walsh was absent).
Key components/highlights of the centralized “pilot” valet parking program are:
The “pilot” program will be in operation beginning on Friday, October 6, and end on Saturday, December 30.
Establishments currently operating private valet parking services (e.g., Park West Tavern) may continue to do so during the “pilot” period.
Central valet parking service will be available every Friday and Saturday evening from 6:00 PM through 1:00 AM the following morning.
Two (2) drop off/pick up locations will be in operation – 1. Van Neste Square southbound opposite the bus terminal and 2. East Ridgewood Avenue just west of North Broad Street (the “hole”).
Service charge of $5.00 per vehicle (some establishments may choose to “validate” patrons’ central valet parking charges).
Central valet parking service provider has been contracted by the Village of Ridgewood; total costs for “pilot” program, being paid for by Village taxpayers, will not exceed $36K (taxpayers’ costs will be offset by valet parking fees collected). Unofficial reports are that the central valet provider must process a minimum of 250 vehicles per evening throughout the “pilot” program in order for Village taxpayers to “break even.
“Vehicles entrusted to the central valet provider will be parked at one of three Village owned properties – 1. Van Neste Square northbound (immediately adjacent to Van Neste Memoral Park), @. The “hole” (far west end of East Ridgewood Avenue immediately adjacent to the train station), and 3. North Walnut Street Municipal Parking Lot (portion of lot immediately adjacent to the former Town Garage).
NOTE: A total of approximately 90 metered parking spaces (currently providing free parking beginning at 6:00 PM, Monday through Saturday) will be removed from the “self parking” inventory” every Friday and Saturday evening to facilitate the central valet service (see locations above). Police will be instructed to prohibit self parking in the three (3) aforementioned central valet parking areas beginning at 4:30 PM on Fridays and Saturdays during the “pilot” program period. Violators will be ticketed and towed.
