> The Honorable Peter E. Doyne will preside over tomorrow’s scheduled Village of Ridgewood vs. Ridgewood 120 LLC eminent domain hearing. The hearing will begin at 9:00 AM in Room 323 of the Bergen County Courthouse.
Village officials are seeking to condemn Ridgewood 120 LLC’s property, located at 120 Franklin Avenue, to facilitate construction of a parking garage/retail complex.
Ridgewood 120 LLC’s principals have filed a counterclaim, which accuses Mayor David T. Pfund, Deputy Mayor Betty G. Wiest, Councilman Jacques Harlow, Councilman Patrick A. Mancuso, and Councilwoman Kim Ringler-Shagin of reneging on several “secret promises” regarding the plaintiff’s acquisition of the property.
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The Fly has just learned that it will cost at least $6 million to construct the proposed 300-space municipal parking garage on North Walnut Street. This estimate excludes related property acquisition costs (add at least another $1.245 million) and site remediation costs (unknown at this time).
The projected costs are based on the currently accepted industry standard construction rate of $20K per parking space. However, since there are already 100+ surface parking spaces on North Walnut Street, construction costs will substantially exceed $20K per parking space when viewed on a “net spaces gained” basis.
Furthermore, an Executive Vice President of one of the most prominent commercial real estate development firms in North Jersey recently advised The Fly that estimated annual carrying charges for such a facility could approach $1 million (includes salaries, utilities, debt service, insurance, etc.).
The Fly continues to question the wisdom of constructing a multi-million dollar parking facility, several blocks from Ridgewood’s train station, on a “Field of Dreams” basis. Are Village Council members absolutely certain that when they build it, people will come?
The Fly thinks that this project has all the potential of becoming “Ridgewood Village Hall, The Sequel.” That is, a fully taxpayer funded money pit.
Village Council members met behind closed doors on Wednesday evening to
discuss possible options for acquiring 120 Franklin Avenue, formerly home of
the Town Garage. Acquisition of this property is key to the planned
construction of a municipal parking garage at the northwest corner of North
Walnut Street and Franklin Avenue.
It is now rumored that Ridgewood 120 LLC, the site’s current owners, have
offered the property for sale to Village officials at a price much higher
than the $1.265 million paid in November of 2006. Scuttlebutt is that
Ridgewood 120 LLC’s asking price is at least $1.865 million, and possibly as
high as $2.265 million. The current owners have made no improvements to the
property since purchasing it from the Agnello family late last year.
Council members must decide whether to: 1) pay the asking price, or 2) enact
the right of eminent domain, or 3) revise parking garage building plans to
eliminate the need for that parcel. Still unanswered is the question: “How
did Village Council members manage to get themselves in such an expensive
jam? In other words, how was a real estate investment group able to acquire
the Town Garage property from right under the Council’s noses?”
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The current hot discussion topic among those who monitor Village Hall happenings is how an out of town firm was able purchase the Town Garage property from right out under the noses of Village Council members. Village ownership of the subject property (see posted photo) is seen as key to the successful construction of a municipal parking garage.
Reportedly, Village officials had offered previous owner Richard Agnello more than the $1.265 million sale price. However, it is being reported that Mr. Agnello refused to sell until the Village found a suitable location nearby for him to relocate his motor vehicle repair facility.
So the fly would like to know: 1) How was the Wells partnership able to buy the property for less than what Village officials had offered Mr. Agnello? 2) Will Mr. Agnello be closing up shop, or has the Wells partnership found a location for him to move his operation to? And, 3) What prompted the Wells partnership to purchase a piece of property destined for involvement in eminent domain proceedings?
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Kristine Di Grigoli Paige a Ridgewood resident has been known as primarily a performance artist, having performed publicly since July 25th, 2002. Recently she has put more of her focus and her energies into translating her life’s experiences into art. Her first project was the completion of the “B&W” (Black and White) series and the start of her new square foot series “Eyes”. Her travels, friends, and music all play a significant role in her work, including her life long obsession with mysterious veiled women. She generally works with acrylics, a habit formed by painting in front of live audiences and needing a quick drying time. When studying an image she alters it to borrow its structure, its shadow, and provide her interpretation. The outcome will provide movement of emotions sometimes indescribable but likeable. Currently she is attracted to texture, giving some of her work a three dimensional quality. She often uses bold colors and will challenge tradition in order to express herself. Her work is modern in style but is often more significant by what it makes you feel. A painter by day a Club Photographer by night and once the sun goes down she puts down her brush and pallet and takes up her newest love photography. Frequently on evenings and weekends she can be found in New Jerseys hottest night clubs capturing youthful exuberance on digital images and recording this generations efforts to define itself. “Life of an Artist” Kristine Di Grigoli Paige Solo ExhibitionWorks from 1997-2006 June 22-July 6th, 2006 First Open Reception Thurs. 6/22/06- 5pm till 9pm
Open Reception Thurs. 6/29/06- 5pm till 9pm with a short lecture on Investing in Art by Ridgewood Financial Advisor James Foytlin
Location: C. Magor Gallery 21 Oak Street Ridgewood, New Jersey 07450
(201) 670-0555 Gallery
(201) 362-0552 Kristine
Visit this artist portfolio at www.thesoundandvision.com
> Memorial Day Service Sponsored by American Legion Post 53 The 87th consecutive Memorial Day Service will take place on Monday, May 29th at 11 am. It will be held at the Veteran’s Monument in Memorial Park at Van Neste Square. All are invited to come and recognize those who have defended our freedom.
Ridgewood to Start Revaluation The Village of Ridgewood has recently been ordered by the Bergen County Board of Taxation to perform a revaluation for the year 2008. The process will start with the selection of a qualified revaluation company to work with the Division of Assessments. It is anticipated that the property inspections will begin in the fall of 2006. Residents will be notified in writing when the inspections start. Revaluations are required periodically to ensure the equitable distribution of the tax burden. The Village does not gain any additional revenues because of the revaluation. Ridgewood’s last revaluation was conducted in 2001.
Ridgewood Run Organized by North Jersey Masters Track and Field Club The 31st Running of the Fred d’Elia Ridgewood Run, the preminer Memorial Day road race throughout the Middle Atlantic area with over 3,500 nation-wide participants competing for more than $7,000 in prize money. The race features ChampionChip scoring, time clocks at every mile, online registration, water stations along the route and baggage check for runners. Events included: 10K event (6.2 miles) starts at 8:45am, the 5K (3.1 miles)starts at 10:15 am, elite mile starts at 11:40am, masters mile starts at 11:15am , the Youth Fun Run/Health Walk and the Stroll ‘n Roll for baby joggers and strollers starts at 12 Noon. They will also host the Kessler Foundation Wheelchair 10K event which starts at 8:40 am (for information call 973/530-3657). Many notable runners will participate. In person registration is accepted at the YMCA, 112 Oak St and the Ridgewood Running Company, E. Ridgewood Ave. Registration at www.NJMasters.com Hotline: 201/447-9750 Pre Registration is encouraged. NO REGISTRATION ON RACE DAY There will be a Health & Fitness Expo with booths at the YMCA & YWCA, Oak St., on Sunday, May 28th from 4 to 6 pm. Tom Fleming, winner of 1973 & 1974 NYC Marathon, will make a guest appearance and there will be a variety of health & fitness booths as well as last minute registration.
$7 Million Referendum to expand Ridge and Willard – The Ridgewood BOE has tentatively approved the development of a proposal to expand the Ridge and Willard schools if funding is authorized by a referendum in either September or December of 2006.
> Locales from the New York Metropolitan Area flock to see the abstract artist Jeffrey Terreson with his passionate eye for color , texture, & his intrinsic appreciation of nature. Born in Bronxville, NY and raised in Bedford, NY, Terreson had the pleasure of knowing what he was going to do at an early age. From his kindergarten report card, noting an early aptitude for art, through his secondary schooling, Terreson excelled at art. He earned a four-year Merit Scholarship to Columbus College of Art and Design, where he rose to the top of his classes and found inspiration in his teachers and mentors: Ron Tardino, Robert Bruss, and Dennis Drummond. Upon graduation Terreson returned to New York City to begin a career as an artist. For years Terreson painted and supported himself through illustration and design, with artwork published by such nationally recognized periodicals as Time Magazine and Newsweek. After a great deal of success in the New York art scene, Terreson decided it was time to raise his four children and take his art in a new direction. He currently works in a Neo-Impressionistic painting style that embraces the textures of digital and traditional media. Terreson continues to steadily produce pieces, based on his original roots as a painter, while exploring and integrating elements of mixed media. An Artist StatementEver since I can remember, design has been my touchstone. It is where I begin and the guide I consult. Design is the core of all my work, the very center of my initial connection.The impulse to create grabs me at any moment of the day. An obscure image from a newspaper, how the sun hits a shape, the angle of a shadow. It is almost a beloved curse. The isolation of nature in its environment. The natural graphic. This is when I already see a design in a single rock, tree, water, person, or shape. Whatever it is, it becomes isolated by its place in the environment –a simple design just sitting there…and the rest disappears. Like Waveny Park Pink, on my website; I did not see trees creating a canopy, I saw verticals. Strong verticals. I saw it the first time I went there ten years ago. I did not see leaves on the woodland floor; I saw a background that placed those verticals, and a pink one at that. The vision and image captured me and I had to record it. There is no choice. For me, the image always triggers the challenge. First, I pencil in a rough sketch to remind me where I am going. I use archival paper or canvas, which I have either adhered to hardboard or stretch on a frame. The under painting is the foundation of my art. It includes blocking out the colors and choosing the various textures: gel medium, sand, wax, thick and heavy paint. The textures may be digitally inspired, or physically created. Once the under painting is in place, I breathe life into my work with oils. I love the texture of oils. And I love color; it is an ally. I love moving it around, layering it into the textures, setting up verticals and horizontals against each other. I find myself intent on moving the process outside of my initial box of reference and into the impressionistic field that defines what I do. I also look for inspiration from other artists. Pearls in the ocean of art, like Mark English, Robert Heindel, and other impressionists who influence my vision, my structure, the application of technique and materials, as well as the interpretation and drive toward impressionism. When I stay with a challenging design, or uncover an intuitive sense of color, when I struggle fluidly and push myself to where I haven’t been before, then I embrace a sense of success rising from the pure elation of the creative process. I love what I do. -Jeffrey Terreson
Terrson’s current show May 18th – June 5th 2006 C.Magor Gallery Gala Opening: Thursday May 18th 5pm-9pm 21 OakStreet Gala Opening :Saturday May 20th 2006 5 pm- 9pm Ridgewood, NJ 07450 (201)670-0555 Wine, cheese & entertainment.
$7 Million Referendum to expand Ridge and Willard – The Ridgewood BOE has tentatively approved the development of a proposal to expand the Ridge and Willard schools if funding is authorized by a referendum in either September or December of 2006.
As some of you know the Ridgewood blog has made the Ridgewood News. In this piece the Ridgewood News has accused the blog of “anti government grumblings” . Well, if that means that some people in town are a little annoyed by the seeming lack of accountability of elected and appointed officials, then yes it is antigovernment it is. There was also an accusation made that people should stop complaining and get involved. Funny I don’t recall anyone asking me if II know who the posters are? I can assure you that many of the posters do attend meetings, run for office, work for the village or just pay taxes here. Many are old time residents that are getting a bit disturbed by the direction our Village has been going in the last dozen years or so. Many residents are starting to feel they are being made a fool of. Many think the town is run by a group of insiders that no longer has the Village’s best interests at heart. And finally and most importantly it’s about respect. Do you think the town is getting the respect it deserves? There was a time when Ridgewood had the best of everything and there was no town more admired than ours. If we did it everyone wanted to be like us .Yes that’s right everyone wanted to be like Ridgewood. We didn’t live in New Jersey we lived in Ridgewood. We had the best schools, the most active and interested residents, and the cleanest and safest streets. But alas I am not so sure that the same can still be said. Well as I have said before everyone is invited to participate by sending us your thoughts, comments or complaints. The blog is trying to give voice to local issues that often go unnoticed in out busy lives.
