the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, in August 2021, the Ridgewood Village Council unveiled a proposal during a Public Work Session to acquire the former Town Garage property on Franklin Avenue via eminent domain. The council’s vision was to transform this site, located near South Walnut Street, into a pocket park—a green space for community enjoyment rather than a parking lot.
Fast forward to May 1, 2024, Village Attorney Matthew S. Rogers announced that Ridgewood had legally acquired 120 Franklin Avenue. This property, last used actively in the early 2000s by an auto repair business known as the “Town Garage,” had been the subject of numerous complaints about its dilapidated state for over a decade. However, more than 60 days after taking ownership on February 28, 2024, the Village appears to have made no progress in addressing these issues.
Taxpayer Concerns and Lack of Transparency
Taxpayers spent $1 million to purchase this property, which now generates zero annual tax revenue. Despite this significant expenditure, residents are left in the dark about the plans and progress for the site. The lack of transparency has raised concerns about the Village’s commitment to their proposed park transformation.
A Case of “Do As We Say, Not As We Do”
The property’s neglected condition contrasts starkly with the Village’s enforcement actions against other property owners. The Village’s Building Department routinely issues maintenance-related summonses to residential and commercial property owners. Yet, the Village itself has failed to maintain this newly acquired property, highlighting a glaring double standard.
Residents are understandably frustrated. They see a government that holds them to strict property maintenance standards while neglecting its own responsibilities. This situation is a clear example of “do as we say, not as we do,” undermining trust in local governance.
The Promise of a Pocket Park
The initial vision for a pocket park was met with enthusiasm. Green spaces are vital for community well-being, offering places for relaxation, recreation, and social interaction. However, the failure to act swiftly on this promise has dampened the community’s spirits.
For Ridgewood residents, the transformation of the former Town Garage site into a vibrant park remains a distant hope. The Village Council must address these concerns transparently, detailing their plans and timelines for the property’s development.
Moving Forward
As we move forward, it’s crucial for Ridgewood’s leadership to recommit to their promises. Clear communication and accountability are essential to restoring faith in local government. By providing regular updates on the progress of the pocket park and actively addressing the property’s condition, the Village can begin to mend its relationship with the community.
Residents deserve to see their tax dollars at work, transforming neglected spaces into valuable community assets. It’s time for Ridgewood to fulfill its promise and turn the former Town Garage site into the pocket park it envisioned, demonstrating that public officials are accountable to the same standards they set for their constituents.
This has been it works for a long time. Who is going to pay to clean up the land?
You are going to pay.
Know it.
The Village’s enforcement is left up to two “officials” Building Dept. (Tony Merlino) and Village Engineer (Chris Rutishauser).
This shady duo ultimately allowed the property to get to its current state with little to no action against the owners.
Someone needs to pull all the violations and fees collected for this site. This level of violations and contamination, the fines should have paid for the purchase price and cleanup. #investigate #keithkazmark
Maybe this was the plan all along, let it fall into complete disrepair and git it through eminent domain which would be way below the asking price for real estate in the CBD (right, Paul?). But the two bumbliing idiots probably did not think that someone was going to have to actually pay to clean it up. that is where superhero Village Manager Kamark flies in and requests mo money, mo money because he has seen how easy it has been to just open Ridgewood’s tax paying cash drawer week after week with no one saying no. Now that he has moved up to the big leagues from West Patterson, he has probably been told there is no limit to what residents will fork over.
The owner is dead ,the family is struggling.
The town will move forward when it is legal and appropriate to do so.
Contract Jovan Mehandzic’s (Assistant Village Engineer) family business to cart away the trash and cleanup. Given the number of Village contracts they get, this should be easy. What was there name again?
Compass I think.
It’s fair to say that the current Village Council could be the most corrupt and deceitful group in Village history.
Corrupt ? No way
How can ridgewood tax payers get an analysis of where our dollars actually go?
Great idea. Ridgewood residents deserve this. Above and beyond the current budget which was just approved and passed, it seems like these municipal creeps keep creeping farther into the tax payers pockets with bonds and other things that seem to add up but you have a bunch of individuals who not seem to think fiscally responsible decision making matters or that they public should understand what is happening. There is an art to this kind of deceit and it is ever increasing.
When politicians are paying upwards of 40k to campaign and get a seat for Village Council, you can bet they smell a gravy train and there is way more to gain than a volunteer position.
I am sure they filled out the paperwork to make it look like it would be used for a park, however my guess, having seen this crew, is that this is what they say when they want to make it look good but intentions change or the original intent is then manufactured into something else entirely. It can’t just go from Park to PARKING in the blink of an eye wihout a public forum, hearing, etc., can it?
Do we need a park there.
Absolutely not. Awful idea.
no more than we need a giant plastic ball field over at Schedler and yet here we are.
The bottom line we do not need a park on Franklin Avenue, what would it be named? Do you realize what that’s going to cost? They just spent 1 million to purchase it. No one knows what it’s going to cost to clean up the site and knocked that piece of shit of a building down, and then you want to spend more money to make a park ridiculous. And the rest of the parking lot next-door is shot that needs to be redone. You don’t think they’re going to make a new park or parking lot there and not fix next-door it’s going to be one big project millions doesn’t need to be redeveloped of course it’s a mess. And it’s been like that for an extremely long time so don’t blame the current counselor mayor. This goes back 15 years or more. And how about rebuilding a new bus station that’s another site that needs to be rebuilt
Are you guys serious? Stop this nonsense. It was a lousy $1m. Big f’ing deal. Get a life.
Okay Daddy Warbucks. Why don’t you pay out of your own pocket?