the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, , a member of Financial Advisory Committee sent out a mass email. It says “Last Wednesday the Village Council unanimously approved funding a parking garage on Hudson Street. It will be funded by Ridgewood (not the county), and it reflects an updated design that seeks to address concerns of residents, including removing a level.”This is just not true. Plan D and Plan A have
SAME number of stories, same number of levels. Plan D is only couple of feet lower than plan A, because it removes the cantilever, so a supporting beam of somewhere between 2-3 feet was removed.
Huge lie in first paragraph! “including removing a level”
Another lie in 2nd paragraph. This petition will have binding referendum question on November ballot. That will cost ZERO. No special election with this petition.
If you received that email, please check the facts yourself before believing it.Unfortunately, there is too much misinformation being spread from some council members, village officials and members of FAC / HPC etc.
Lets ask them to provide Ridgewood residents correct facts on size and street encroachment, and if residents still want to proceed without changes, it’s fine, but please don’t provide incorrect information.
How does someone in a position of authority get away with sending this?
Friends —
Last Wednesday the Village Council unanimously approved funding a parking garage on Hudson Street. It will be funded by Ridgewood (not the county), and it reflects an updated design that seeks to address concerns of residents, including removing a level.
Now, the group that opposed funding the garage through Bergen County is seeking to oppose this vote, even though the issues that arose through county funding no longer apply. They want an even smaller garage. As opposed to standing behind a reasonable compromise, they want to stop progress at all costs. They are asking residents to sign a petition to put the issue to a special referendum, which will create further delays and cost the Village about $45,000 to implement through a special election. Of course, a significant majority of Village residents already voted to support a garage in a special referendum last year.
I am a member of the Ridgewood Financial Advisory Committee, and we analyzed the funding model for the garage. We recognize that a taller garage has aesthetic implications. Financially, however, a larger garage is more fiscally sound — more spaces create more revenue, and the marginal cost of each level is much lower than building the base of the structure. That’s why compromise is necessary and appropriate. I believe the current compromise is the best path forward for the Village.
Please don’t sign the petition. Tell your friends not to sign the petition Forward them this email. The group supporting the petition will be in Van Neste Square today seeking signatures — show up and tell them you support progress for Ridgewood.
Thanks.
Rich Cundiff
