Ridgewood’s $75M Vision: The Warner Theater Transformation, Schedler Park, and a New Senior Hub
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, from a historic cinema’s potential rebirth to the long-awaited cleanup of the Schedler property, the Village of Ridgewood is on the brink of a massive evolution. In a recent “State of the Village” update, Mayor Paul Vagianos outlined five “Big Moves” that will define Ridgewood’s landscape in 2024 and beyond.
Here is what’s coming to our downtown and neighborhoods.
1. The Warner Theater: A $75 Million “Grand Slam”
The dream of turning the iconic Warner Theater into a regional performing arts center is nearing its “make or break” moment.
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The Progress: In partnership with the Ridgewood Arts Foundation, nearly $250,000 has been raised to fund a professional team of architects and engineers.
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The Goal: The Village is filing for a $75 million grant from the NJ Economic Development Authority.
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The Stakes: As Mayor Vagianos put it, “If we get the grant, we’re off to the races. If we don’t, the dream is over.”
2. Schedler Property: Breaking Ground This Spring
After 17 years of waiting, the Schedler property project has finally received the green light from the NJDEP.
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Step One: Removal of contaminated soil is scheduled for Spring 2024.
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Step Two: Construction of the new park and turf field will begin in phases starting this summer.
3. A New Era for Ridgewood Seniors
Ridgewood isn’t just for growing families; it’s for life. Thanks to a $250,000 donation to the Ridgewood Community Center Foundation, the first floor of Village Hall is being transformed.
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The Project: A premier Senior Center that will triple existing programming.
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Timeline: Construction begins this summer, with a grand opening expected by Fall 2024.
4. Protecting Downtown with the New “SID”
To combat the “Amazon economy” that threatens Main Street, Deputy Mayor Pam Perron has spearheaded the creation of a Special Improvement District (SID).
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The Benefit: This creates a dedicated fund to help our Central Business District grow—at no expense to resident taxpayers.
5. More Green Space on the Horizon
Following the successful November referendum, the Open Space Tax increase (averaging $37 per household/year) is now in effect. This fund ensures Ridgewood can continue to acquire and develop parkland, keeping our village “vibrant and pretty.”
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Tags: #RidgewoodNJ #WarnerTheater #LocalNews #NJRealEstate #CommunityDevelopment #RidgewoodSeniors
Funny how no mention of the proposed senior assisted living facility or the open invitation to Saraceno and other builders to build build build
Is “Fact Check Friday” coming back? I’m so lost without it.
With all this happening on or before 2024, I commend the blinding speed in which this is all being done. I miss so much…
LOL. Nothing but cut and paste nonsense.
Newsflash:
None of these things will happen.
Except for the open space tax that you idiots voted for.
A Regional PAC at the Warner theater would be an amazing addition to Ridgewood.
How about tap water that’s not poisoned first?
Now that would be a good addition to Ridgewood morale
Clean water? Liberal nonsense.
As long as the Village is not responsible for any costs. Self sustaining is a must.
You are going to need a lot of good fundraisers and someone with experience managing an entertainment venue. This requires a business model.
Is he also changing the name to VAGwood. Seems like a good name for a tinyman that spews lies and self promotion. Or maybe Kazwood. Or kazvagwood. Whatever. Keep spending our money. How’s that a mill pavilion doing at Hillcrest park? Has that business taken it over yet?
Looking forward to 2024. Can’t wait. What a bunch of losers.
“A Regional PAC at the Warner theater would be an amazing addition to Ridgewood.”
What would be amazing is that A Ridgewood Regional PAC does not cost Ridgewood tax payers a penny.
Lots of miserable ppl on this thread lol
Are you a teenager? Can you not spell out “people?”
SID fees (i.e. taxes) are typically charged to the property owners…and passed along to the tenants. Higher rent for the same space? Bye.
The $75 million grant equates to $5,000 per square foot to renovate. Good luck with that.
Does not include asbestos remediation, which is inevitable for a 100 year old building.
Reality: This will be a vacant eye sore for the next 10 years, guaranteed.
What happened to the goats?
That is not a new update regarding the Ridgewood movie theater, it is the same message from nine Months ago. How about telling us of success of getting the Valley Hospital to pay taxes to offset our rising taxes? How about telling us how we will not accept that oversized health facility on Maple Avenue?
LOL
Your taxes aren’t rising because of Valley Hospital.
They are rising because of spending.
The Council is playing make believe with Valley Hospital, they are not going to pay real estate taxes.