what? And the town lets that terrible stone wall in front of Its Greek to Me stand, and continually bang every car door? I’d rather have a nice sweet woolly sheep! All the sidewalk cafes which make you run a gauntlet are ok, and the sheep isn’t allowed? baaaaa humbug!
October 28,2017
the staff of the Ridgewood
Ridgewood NJ according to Village Chief Finance Officer Bob Rooney the Walker Report will suggest Ridgewood needs an increase in parking fees and extend parking hours to cover the cost of a down payment for a parking garage on Hudson Street .
The Ridgewood parking utility , if you are a real old timer you may remember the meters were originally installed to provide funding for a garage back in the late 1960’s .
At Wednesdays Village Council meeting the council heard Village Chief Finance Officer Bob Rooney offer some cold hard facts regarding alternative revenue sources to offset the expected $11 million bond, including a $550,000 down payment, needed to cover garage construction costs.
Increased parking rates come as no surprise for most residents , because since 2007 the Village has conceded that in order to build a garage. The Village last raise rates in 2015 at the urging of the defunct FAC or Financial Advisory Committee . The previous administration led by Mayor Aronsohn had parking rate increases as one of the cardinal feature of building their, “Garagezilla”.
According to Rooney ,the parking utility will only break even this year do to the excessive use of the parkmobile app with takes a 30 percent transaction fee on all transactions , fortunately the contract is up early next year in February and the Village will be bidding out looking for a far more satisfactory deal. The current deal was negotiated by the previous Village Manager Roberta Sonenfeld . Since May 2015 the village has paid parkmobile $143,000 in fees.
Assuming a cost of 11,000,000 for the garage ,the Village would need $550,000 as a down payment .
Rooney also suggested that a financial feasibility study being done by Walker Parking Consultants is expected to advise higher meter rates and longer hours. Without that, Rooney warned, an increase in the utility budget ie a tax increase would be needed to finance the garage downpayment.
The new new Walker study is expected to advise meter rates of $1 per hour between Broad and Walnut streets downtown, and 75 cents elsewhere. Parking is now free after 6 p.m., but the study is expected to suggests pushing that 8 or 9 p.m.
Rooney also added that a new parking Kiosk will be in operation shortly before thanksgiving witch can except credit cards and while there are trans action fees they are far less than parkmobile .
The law of diminishing returns suggest that the Village maybe quickly nearing a tipping point with parking fees , where higher parking fees will cut into demand for parking in the Central Business District . The Village maybe betting that increased space for commuters and spill over parking from the four new high density projects in the Village will fill the parking spaces , but that once again leaves the merchants with no net gain .
October 27,2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Well once again it is about Betsy the Sheep. Healthy Choice organic Mattress of Ridgewood, has been summoned to court on November 9th @4:30pm by the town of Ridgewood because they had Betsy on the sidewalk in front of our store. The town deems her unsafe. It’s not like she is running around or grazing. She is an icon. Help Save Our Sheep! Come into any Healthy Choice organic Mattress locations and sign their petition for the Ridgewood Mayor and Council to permit Betsy to adorn our store.
Healthy Choice Organic Mattress was founded with a mission to become a leader in the natural mattress business. They are a socially responsible company committed to offering the healthiest, most comfortable and highest quality mattresses on the market. They also believe that in order to be a truly successful business they must continually seek to improve the lives of our customers and employees, while always considering their impact on the local community and the world’s environment.
Their vast experience in the manufacturing of luxury mattresses has enabled us to design an exquisitely comfortable line of mattresses using only the highest quality natural materials.
In an effort to reduce our carbon footprint and to support the local economy, all Healthy Choice mattress are handcrafted in Connecticut. We have over 30 years of manufacturing experience and use only locally produced and American-made materials.
Healthy Choice organic Mattress of Ridgewood
14 Wilsey Sq
Ridgewood, New Jersey
Call (201) 857-3245
Drove past the Town Garage with more boarded up broken windows.; realized it’s a sign of a town in decline , Put a Witch and a Ghost placard on it and it’s ready for Halloween fifty two weeks a year,
We care and are all concerned about the focus on Valet and other Parking issues while the roads and abandoned structures continue to go to Seed.
There is one set of parking spots that is always unfilled – unfortunately, those reliably empty spots are all in the designated employee parking section of the Cottage lot.
Walk by and look for yourself. Often the majority of the employee spots are empty. The Village needs to act on this, reducing the employee spots to more closely reflect actual usage by employees. A close examination will reveal that some of those spots are being used by non-employees willing to risk the ticket given the difficulty of finding parking spaces during certain times.
Is it possible that the Village has intentionally maintained the excess employee capacity for the purpose of increased revenue from tickets, since the income from a ticket for one spot greatly exceeds the income from quarters for parking in the same spot?
I now visit downtown Ridgewood less than any time in the past 25 years, based on the unreliable availability of parking. Glen Rock, Wyckoff, Waldwick, Washington Township and Ho-Ho-kus now receive more of my business even though I still live in Ridgewood. I suspect that I am not the only resident to decrease usage of the CBD based on parking issues. The planned addition of high density housing will not make that situation any better, to say the least.
In my 25 years in the Village, Ridgewood has wasted money on repeated studies on how to fix the parking situation without acting on the recommendations in any effective way.
Ridgewood’s CBD has long been a selling point for living in Ridgewood, but the attraction has been decreasing lately.
file photo
Parking is NEVER an issue. Gorgeous Saturday night. Just came from town. Restaurants are jumping. People eating in and eating out. Plenty of people strolling. And the Cottage lot is almost empty. Park and walk a couple of blocks folks. If Jerry could walk then so can you.
WATER MAIN LEAK AT E. RIDGEWOOD AVE. & N. BROAD STREET – WORK TO COMMENCE AT 9:00 PM
October 19,2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Ridgewood Water is currently monitoring a water main leak at the intersection of East Ridgewood Avenue and North Broad Street, near the parking lot adjacent to the train station. Ridgewood Water will begin emergency work to address the leak at 9:00pm this evening. Ridgewood Police Department will be assisting with traffic control but residents should expect traffic disruptions/closures in the area.
Ridgewood Water thanks you for your patience and cooperation.
photos courtesy of Boyd Loving’s Facebook
October 17,2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Two (2) NJ Transit buses were involved in a “T-Bone” collision at the intersection of East Ridgewood Avenue and North Walnut Street on Monday evening, 10/16. One (1) of the buses veered head on into the path of an SUV in an attempt to avoid the collision. The adult female driver of the SUV sustained minor injuries but refused transport to a local hospital. The SUV and one (1) bus had to be towed from the scene. The other bus left on its own power. Ridgewood Police, Fire Department, EMS and Emergency Services units responded to the crash.
October 14,2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Elevate your company’s holiday party this year in our warm and inviting dining room. Let White Maple host a perfect evening with a special menu crafted by Chef Stephen, whether you want a cocktail hour with passed hors d’oeuvres or a seated dinner. Contact us at [email protected] today to inquire about our holiday event packages
October 13,2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Pearl Restaurant Offers 3 Course Prix Fixe Menu for only $26.95 per person ;
Sunday-Thursday
3 Course Prix Fixe Menu for only $26.95 pp
Our Prix Fixe Menu includes; choice of one appetizer, one entree, one of our delicious desserts and coffee/tea! (Not Available on Holidays, Not to be combined with any coupon/discounts).
Check out our Today’s Special Menu! We have your favorites being featured tonight!
Make your reservation today
(201)857-5100
The Pearl restaurant is as unique as the pearl, blending the old and the new. They provide a superb dinner experience using only the freshest, exquisitely prepared foods with gracious and friendly service in a small, elegant setting, accented with soft lighting and music.
At Pearl Restaurant, your host Maximilian, a second-generation restauranteur, will make you feel at home with warm and friendly service.
There is no microwave and no freezer. The menu will change daily based on the freshness and availability of special meats and fishes selected from the market. We’ll use only homemade pastas and most of our desserts are prepared table-side. So come and indulge!
CELEBRATING SPECIAL EVENTS AT PEARL RESTAURANT
Book your special event today!
Speak to our Event Coordinator, Jackie or Max, Sr.,
Call us for more information
201-857-5100
BIRTHDAY, ANNIVERSARY, CORPORATE, GRADUATION, MILESTONE EVENT
& MANY MORE
Get 10% OFF when you sign up EARLY (before Nov. 1st) for your Christmas Party (Min 12 person)
See our website for our private party menu options.
We have a 50 Person Party Room Available for any occasion.
Party menus are flexible !
Spend more time with your family and let us take care of the cooking!
www.pearlridgewood.com
October 11,2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Jeff Voigt is spitting toxic nails from his mouth on Facebook, desperately sticking to his published LIES. There is NO GARAGE SUBCOMMITTEE, Jeff. None. Do you think if you state this lie enough times it will somehow become true? He claims that the Mayor is on the committee and one other council member. NOT TRUE, there is no subcommittee. He states that the mayor should step off the committee. How can she step off a committee that does not exist? In the person of Jeffrey Voigt have an elected official who lies openly, publicly, frequently and viciously. This is not what our Village deserves. This is not what people voted for when they were duped into thinking he was a straight shooter.
https://www.vibby.com/watch?vib=m1PngO1DN
Just a thought – Since employees need a permit card (displayed on the dash) to be able to park in the reserved spots in the lots, doesn’t the Village have the license plate of the cars that are supposed to park in the designated spots in the lots?
If they do, can they ticket the offenders?
If the Village does not have that information, should they both have it and use it?
Every employee who parks on the street is effectively taking two parking spots. The one with the vehicle, and one reserved (and thus unused) spot in a parking lot. That does not seem ethical or fair. Neither does it help the downtown parking crunch, indeed, it magnifies the problem.
The Village needs to check the lots to see how many employee spaces go unused, and then reduce the number of reserved spots. That would be simpler and less expensive than trying to enforce a system of no employee parking on the streets.
They might also enforce the “no repeat parking” rules on the street.
Thu, October 12, 2017 – Sat, October 14, 2017
Time: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Location: Ridgewood Business district, E. Ridgewood Ave. and side streets
Ridgewood’s second annual Blow-Out Sale days
All participating store will be open all 3 days!
October 12, 13, 14th, Thursday-Friday-Saturday
Featuring:
Summer – endings
Fall trending’s and
Holiday comings
outside – weather permitting
Starting with
Art of Motion, Chestnut St., offering a costume exchange for HALLOWEEN with proceeds going to CancerCare. call for details: 201-652-5800 –
17 Chestnut St.
Participating stores-the # next business is their address #.
E. Ridgewood Ave.
GAP – 235
Fox’s – 230
Kate Spade – 202
Bookends – 211
Hot Jewelry Box – 203
Ridgewood Bootery – 200
DoubleTake Consignment Boutique – 189
Pink Bungalow – 185
Little Skye – 171
Little Nest Portraits – 168
Peachy Keen Kids – 136
Anik of Ridgewood – 119
Learning Express Toys – 111
Shelly Glam – 82
Oasis Clothing – 80
Lucky Brand – 67
P. Smith & Co. – 65
Duxiana Bedding – 63
Red Velvet Luxe- 59
Victor’s Mens – 55
GiGi’s Boutique – 48
Loft41 Jewelry – 41
Beauty Plus Salon – 25
Eat Your Spinach – 42
Jekyll & Hide – 7
Cottage Place
Savvy Chic Consignment Boutique – 30
S. Walnut St.
Suite 201 – 11
Chestnut St.
House of Glam Studio – 22
S. Broad Street
Alba Boutique- 10
DPARZ Shoes – 12
N. Broad St
Racefaster – 211
Look for some businesses in front of
Memorial Park at Van Neste Square.
M&T Bank
Little Ivy Learning Center
Beauty Counter – Rebecca
House of Glam Studio
For more information call 201-445-2600
[email protected]
I absolutely agree. I go to my nail appointment 9:30am, very little is open. But all parking spaces near the shop are taken. And when I go to lunch, ~11:30am, hoping to get a space, same issue. Must be at least some employees in the spaces, maybe more. You don’t see people walking in and out of stores, walking on the streets at these early times. And 2 shop owners have confirmed to me – when I have asked – that the spaces are taken by employees – they see them. Apparently the employees are able to park 3 hours, just like shoppers. Just put money in the meters. It may be legal, but it’s certainly not good for the vibrancy of downtown shopping or the customers.
October 7,2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Ridgewood Walktoberfest is in full swing. There are over 40 walking tours to choose from, including HAUNTED RIDGEWOOD on Friday the 13th
Take a terrifying stroll down memory lane with visits to some of Ridgewood’s (in)famous haunted houses. Drop in on the neighbors for some tasty treats and cider (if you dare) as we make our way to Ridgewood’s notorious haunted maze. Find your way through the maze’s one secret passage (or go mad searching!)
Spooky attire encouraged! Our trip into darkness will end at 8:00pm. Sweet dreams are(n’t) made of this.
MEETING PLACE: Citizen’s Park – 6pm-Godwin Avenue, across from GW Middle School
AMBASSADORS: Greg Stewart, mad scientist and all around great ghoul and Jeff Coster, loves Ridgewood, pizza, fries, ice cream, and costumes.
Head to www.RidgewoodWalks.com to sign up. Hurry!!!
