
Ridgewood draws county financing support for downtown parking garage construction
FEBRUARY 4, 2016, 7:26 PM LAST UPDATED: THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2016, 9:15 PM
BY STEVE JANOSKI
STAFF WRITER |
THE RECORD
RIDGEWOOD — Plans to have county money fund construction of a municipal parking garage on Hudson Street took a step forward Thursday after the Bergen County Improvement Authority agreed to bond for the project.
The unanimous vote was taken after nearly two hours of commentary from village residents that, at times, mirrored those at recent Village Council meetings — business owners and local officials spoke in favor of the 325-car garage, while various residents concerned with its size, scope and aesthetics spoke against it.
But BCIA commissioners reiterated that the board provides financing, not judgment, on an individual project’s merits. That, they said, was best handled at the local level.
“We offer conduit financing,” Commissioner Philip Wilson said afterwards. “They need to go back and talk some more — but it doesn’t have to do with this board.”
The five-member BCIA now will apply to have the state Local Finance Board consider the project of about $11.9 million in cost and give an opinion on its finances. That hearing is set for March 9.
Meanwhile, the Village Council will vote next Wednesday on whether to adopt its agreement with the BCIA.
Discussions about building a parking garage in Ridgewood goes back decades. Local officials hope its construction will ease longstanding parking concerns in the village’s often-cramped downtown.
The BCIA’s action likely will be seen as a victory for Ridgewood Mayor Paul Aronsohn, who has moved the parking deck proposal forward despite vocal opposition from some residents. After Thursday’s meeting, Aronsohn said it was a “good moment for the village.”