photo by Boyd Loving
Ridgewood residents weigh in on downtown planning
JULY 25, 2014 LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY, JULY 25, 2014, 1:21 AM
BY CHRIS HARRIS
STAFF WRITER
THE RECORD
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RIDGEWOOD — Inadequate parking remains a major factor in the village’s downtown, according to residents who attended a special forum this week.
Most of 50 people at the Wednesday meeting agreed that the prosperity of the village’s Central Business District hinges entirely on parking and providing more spaces for visitors.
For more than 40 years, Ridgewood officials have tried to address the village’s parking woes, yet a dearth remains.
More than 20 people spoke during the Village Hall forum, which was hosted by Deputy Mayor Albert Pucciarelli. Mayor Paul Aronsohn also attended.
Some speakers suggested that Ridgewood explore a joint effort with business owners to acquire and operate a shuttle bus that would circulate throughout the downtown, carting shoppers to and from off-site parking lots.
Others insisted that a parking garage needs to be constructed downtown.
– See more at: https://www.northjersey.com/community-news/scarcity-of-parking-spaces-irritates-residents-1.1057320#sthash.jc8wF9yX.dpuf
“Nobody goes there anymore–it’s too crowded”—Yogi Berra
The parking crisis seems way over-stated by those with a vested interest in the CBD. I don’t recall a time when parking was not a challenge, although the weekend dinner crunch is something new in the last decade or so. The problem with a garage is that it will still be blocks away from many destinations and suburban families become disoriented and anxious if they have to walk more than 50 ft, from their vehicles. Incremental solutions (trolley, private lots, valet) make much more sense than a large capital project like a garage that will be costly, unsightly, and I believe also underutilized by folks still cruising for a spot right in front of their favorite bistro.
My parents liked the valet service at the new restaurant where Blend / Cellar Door location (I think it is called Roots?). They generally stay away from town restaurants because of the parking problems. So the valet idea worked for them.
Walk, people, walk. You are going out to consume a ton of calories in booze and good food. A little exercise coming and going can only be beneficial. If you lived in Manhattan you would be walking between destinations. It is a simple concept. Park a bit farther from your destination, and walk.
As much as some people enjoy valet parking, others loathe it. I think this venture would open a giant can of unanticipated worms.
People are just too lazy to walk or just like to bitch and moan,yet they go to the garden state plaza and walk a long distance then once inside who knows how much more walking in this massive mall. So why not stop with the whining and just walk a few blocks.
James who is the old guy in the picture? Moses.
First, if you loathe valet you are not obligated to use it. It would be optional so by all means keep walking if you prefer. Second, we aren’t talking about walking to dinner only. If I have 30 minutes to run errands I can’t spend 20 parking and walking to and from the store. And, I can’t purchase that much if I have to hold a small child’s hand and walk far to the car. Third, some of us have small children or elderly parents and it is not always beautiful weather to walk far.
Sure there are times we can all walk, but to say we are lazy if we don’t all the time is ridiculous.
#7 – do you want some cheese with that whine?
Parking Garage, in the downtown area on Franklin, with store fronts on Walnut and Franklin to create a facade that would hide the garage structure. Remove Parking from some some streets partially or entirely. This would force people to use the garage, and may actually make the downtown more pedestrian friendly and safer. A possible enticement is for restaurants and stores to provide partial parking vouchers when purchases are made in their establishment. I’ve heard this was done in California with good success.
I was in Ridgewood every day this week at different times. Never had a problem finding a parking spot. I never do. I don’t get what people complain about. I have far more problems at the mall.