Ridgewood looking at parking proposals
OCTOBER 5, 2014 LAST UPDATED: SUNDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2014, 1:21 AM
BY CHRIS HARRIS
STAFF WRITER
THE RECORD
RIDGEWOOD — Village officials unveiled several parking proposals they hope will attract visitors to the downtown business district and also ease parking for residents.
One proposal offered at Wednesday’s council meeting would standardize parking hours, fees and durations throughout the village.
“All downtown meters would run from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.,” according to the proposal, altering the current 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. range.
Also, all downtown meters would offer three- or four-hour parking, as opposed to the current limit of two hours.
“All downtown meters will cost 25 cents per half-hour,” the proposal states, adding existing 15-minute parking spaces would remain.
“This will make parking easier and simpler for shoppers and diners, enhancing the overall downtown experience,” according to the plan.
Another proposal seeks to restrict long-term parking passes — currently sold to residents and non-residents on an annual basis — to Ridgewood residents only. At present, about 120 out-of-town commuters pay the same amount as residents for long-term parking passes, Village Manager Roberta Sonenfeld said. An alternative proposal would have non-residents pay twice as much for the long-term pass.
“There is a parking scarcity in this town,” Mayor Paul Aronsohn said at the council’s meeting Wednesday, adding it has taken out-of-the-box thinking to determine ways of improving it.
The issue of parking in Ridgewood has been front and center in recent weeks at public forums organized by Deputy Mayor Al Pucciarelli. At these gatherings, residents and business owners have keyed in on parking as the village’s biggest hindrance.
The Village Council recently reached a deal to provide off-site parking for downtown business employees on Franklin Avenue, at the former Ken Smith site.
– See more at: https://www.northjersey.com/news/council-considers-parking-upgrades-1.1102744#sthash.oGxHLntR.dpuf
And the conversations continue, and continue and continue.
Now what can we expect soon ???
Lets not pay for parking at all. This way the Chamber is happy. The shoppers are happy and we don’t have to worry about anyone sealing anything. Come on Mayor get it over with and pul the plug on the meters. You have the majority vote. You can do this.
Why are we playing around with this. The Chamber is right. Let just bond the money for the garages and get it over it. We can afford this garage and maybe more.
Well Dom I know we can’t expect you to shut up soon.
We must meet challenge:
A well designed parking garage must be finally designed and put up for consideration.
Let’s get with it Council !!!!!
The whole article goes on to say
“This is the first phase of our downtown parking initiative,” the mayor said. “The next phases would entail the installation of enhanced meter technology and then [building] a parking deck.”
To give the devil his due, the first phase proposals are excellent.
You right Dom. What are they waiting for. They have the votes just bond it and get it over with.
Dom you have such insight. You should run for Council. You still have a few good years in you.
Thanks #8
But I might not last too long these days.
After you slow up on drinking and some recreation activities these days, I can only share the news with our “older” readers here for awhile.
At least till my Underwood Typewriter ribbon holds out.
Parking Garage…
New Meters…
Follow the money.
Today Friday November 14 th from 2 o’clock thru 4 o’clock the village was flush with open spaces..are we building for max peak season capacities for the restaurants and local stores or what,,this is a tax and spend town..that’s why so many leave once the kids are out of ridgewood high.abandon those meters..it’s all nonsense
Not so at all #11. I drove in circles from 12:30-1 and gave up.