JUNE 5, 2015 LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY, JUNE 5, 2015, 1:21 AM
BY CHRIS HARRIS
STAFF WRITER |
THE RECORD
RIDGEWOOD — The council is considering adding a non-binding referendum to the November ballot to gauge support for a parking garage downtown.
For more than a year, Ridgewood officials have been working on ways to provide additional parking in the central business district.
At previous meetings on parking, business leaders agreed with the council’s notion that a garage would lure more dollars to the village.
This year, Ridgewood’s council has approved financing for three different studies of the garage’s proposed site along Hudson Street.
The referendum was the brainchild of Mayor Paul Aronsohn, who said adding the issue to this fall’s ballot will cost the village nothing.
Deputy Mayor Al Pucciarelli, Councilwoman Gwenn Hauck, and Councilman Mike Sedon all supported Aronsohn’s suggestion to get feedback from voters.
The referendum’s results would have no bearing on the future of the parking garage project, which Ridgewood officials hope they can break ground on next spring.
Aronsohn’s idea was not well-received by Councilwoman Susan Knudsen, who urged that a “more comprehensive study” be undertaken of the village’s need for a garage as well as its potential impact on downtown businesses.
https://www.northjersey.com/news/ridgewood-council-considers-adding-garage-referendum-1.1349792
While they’re at it why don’t they throw in Valley and the high density housing issue ?
Well because in theory those projects would not need a bond or public (taxpayer) financing while a garage would…
And also they don’t care what we think about high density housing…
They want to know how we feel, but it will have no effect on what they do? Then why ask? Shades of the synthetic turf! Voted down absolutely in a nonbinding referendum and installed anyway. Immediately wrecked by flooding.
Council is having a banner week…Scorched Earth policy for the Mod Squad ??
“mod squad” I like
Come on, let’s get the RECALL on the ballot, too!
“The council is considering adding a non-binding referendum” What a tease. The key word is “Considering ” They are just throwing out there to make residents believe that the 3 amigos have the residents interest in mind. I wonder if this referendum will contain all the pertinent information such as the told cost plus interest from bonding? Does everybody feel good now they that publicly put out this headline. “The council is considering adding a non-binding referendum to the November ballot to gauge support for a parking garage downtown.” The question is after all that has happened ‘Do you real trust them”
“Break ground next spring” Just in time for the election folks.
This is a joke of course we need the parking garage, does the mayor have his head up his ass, we do not need high density housing how about a vote on that.
How is the Mayor friend Saracino and his fish restaurant going to make it without the parking garage in his backyard? I have one question. Are the taxpayers also to pay for the extra large bronze plaque that will hang on the garage wall memorializing the 3 Amigos as the ones that brought Ridgewood out of the dark ages or will it be donated by Saracino and Vaggiois
“The council is considering adding a non-binding referendum” This is the best line ever. The Mod Squad will enlist the help of White Horse Consultants to GIN UP the residents so that can MOVE FOWARD and DRILL DOWN the votes on this referendum. There will be a Civility Meeting dedicated to this subject just before the vote.
Oh and I forgot. ” We need TRANSPARENCY in this process.”
Problem is union thug labor will overcharge for the work, at least 12x what it would cost nationally so everyone associated with project can get their “taste”
We do not need a parking garage. Went in to town four times this week… found a spot easily each time. Always do.
I agree with the comment regarding finding a space. Not as difficult as it once was except around Christmas and Ridgewood Sales Days.
build it nice and big.
This parking garage is being built for the restaurants not shoppers.