NOVEMBER 3, 2015, 10:35 PM LAST UPDATED: TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2015, 10:42 PM
BY STEVE JANOSKI
STAFF WRITER |
THE RECORD
RIDGEWOOD — Village residents voted to support a referendum proposal Tuesday that would bond for up to $15 million to construct a parking garage downtown.
The non-binding referendum, which was meant only to assess public sentiment on the plan, passed by a nearly 2-to-1 margin — 3,236 voted in favor, while 1,777 opposed. Village officials said voter turnout was around 30 percent.
The proposed garage, which officials hope to break ground on next spring, will be built on the corner of Hudson and South Broad streets, the referendum stated, and paid for “principally” with parking revenues. It would add about 300 parking spots to the dense commercial zone.
It is expected to benefit local commuters and residents, as well as customers of downtown shops and restaurants.
Village Mayor Paul Aronsohn said he felt “very good” about the results.
“This is something we’ve talked about in Ridgewood for decades, and it looks like we’re on the verge of making history,” he said. “A parking deck is something we really need. And the folks in Ridgewood came out in large numbers and they spoke with a very compelling voice today.”
Funding for the garage would come from Ridgewood’s parking utility, as well as county and state monies, the referendum said.
https://www.northjersey.com/news/ridgewood-voters-back-parking-garage-proposal-1.1447718
People who voted yes will be putting guns to their heads in a few years.
A parking garage is an anachronism, just like Brogan Cadillac, Ken Smith Chevrolet and Town Garage – we’ll all be picked up and dropped off by Uber auto-pilot, self-drive cars in 10 years so parking will be irrelevant.
The vote went exactly as I expected. Pitifully low turnout with a well-organized Yes organization mobilizing enough voters to take them over the line.
I’ve been here 29 years and planned on staying as long as I could. Well, guess what, just called a real estate broker. I figure I’ll sell while Ridgewood is still desirable.
Let them gloat this mistake will haunt us all. Establishes a new slumdistrict and Valley awaits the excess height measurement reapplication
Let them gloat, as they surely will. But be patient. The garage has not been built yet. It has to be bonded first, remember?
2/3rds of the voters wanted a garage. Lets get it built quick before we lose the extra parking at the former dealerships.
Let’s get real folks. If it is not bonded with this council; it will be bonded with the next.
Very sad. To the thousands that didn’t vote…way to throw neighbors under the bus.Those that voted yes…are driving the bus…that is quickly approaching the end of the road. Elections can’t come soon enough!
This is going to be an eyesore in the village, those that have voted for this debacle will regret it down the road.
Its a mistake – I agree it will be an eyesore – too big of a structure in that location, that whole area will fee so boxed in, with the garage looming overhead. There are other, more viable and realistic solutions other than this extremely expensive monstrosity.
Well the 3 Amigos won part one of the trifecta next in the change the master plan for the CBD and then 90 ft baseball field for the Schedlar. They will win all three. Let see what districts vote yes . ONE TRICK PONIES ALL OF THEM. I can just about guarantee the districts that the other two groups are in went for the garage.
Just like with Valley and the apartments, the cronies at Village Hall got out to a quick start. They try to force a decision before the pesky citizens have a chance to understand what’s really going on. It’ll take an effort like the Concerned Residents or Citizens for a Better Ridgewood to shine the light on what these people are trying to do to us.
Round one goes to the special interest groups but the fight is long. This is far from a done deal – hang in there folks.
We will have to see if Hauk is good for her word. She posted many responses on Facebook trying to quell fears. She said the the counsil will be having meetings and there will be input on the final structure. She said that the architect renderings were merely an idea and not written in stone.
Will they keep their word?
Will Hauck stop taking swipes at Sedon?
I am a little surprised by the negative comments. I really don’t see why one would not want more parking – isn’t it better for both residents and local businesses? Putting it in this location isn’t right in the heart of the Village either from where I sit. I am asking because it seems I am missing something – why is this a bad thing?
The day after the vote the prickly deputy mayor goes on Facebook – with sarcasm in response to a well worded question.
It was very revealing. This is one nasty man.
Al and Roberta, perfect together
From Al on Facebook. In response to a thread about the garage. THE DAY AFTER THE VOTE
“Roberta,
Please do not cloud the issue with facts.
Albert”
He and Roberta can have this cute victory exchange. He is an idiot and a bitch. I would vote for anyone but him. Anyone.
The ballot explanation was misleading.
We have Reached a New Low in the Heights section and this will be the future slum Parking section
of Ridgewood..You will see that new Monument to Urban scarring from Miles away,Garages never get right maintenance painting and upkeep and
I’d like to see that block when there is a heavy snow and Ice falling into the Street.imagine the Noise within that Monstrocity,
Where was Mount Carmel church in all this, imagine Politics involved,
Reasonable minds can disagree on the need for a parking garage, but I am hoping that the non-binding referendum is not seen as a mandate to build the colossal currently proposed. Let’s keep some perspective in planning the largest structure in the CBD
the changes to the master plan remains Pfund’s folly (ordinance 3066), but now we’re seeing the fall-out
The garage is a done deal. wake up people. the mayor wants this as his legacy. Of course it will be a financial disaster when we take money from NJ transit and Bergen county and the garage will end up being a commuter parking for out of town people. I predict the taxpayers will get stuck footing the bill as the garage will be underutilized and not meet the expected income Keep in mind that the money we now get from the parking garage goes to subsidize other elements of the town budget. Those funds will now be used to subsidize the debt on the garage so the taxpayers will need to fund that shortfall. Good luck.
@ 9:18 my understanding is that the garage debt will be funded by the increase in meter rates and the longer hours…is that not the case? Either way I hate the garage currently proposed and agree it will be under-utilized.
The fundamental problem here is that there is no solid definition of what’s going to be built. Ridgewood voters just showed their approval for the government to create $15 Million bonded debt, without a specific purpose. As long as a multi-level garage is built on that corner, it will comply. So what if it looks like a jail?
What if a developer decides they want to build apartments there rather than the more disputed locations- on top of the taxpayer funded parking garage, probably saving millions in costs? That would comply wouldn’t it? Google around for the “Transit Village” initiatives…they are even using the same ugly red and beige brick “architecture” used in the parking proposal. Progress!
And what if its not 9:53? Who will pick up the tab? Do you really believe what the council is telling you?
@6:11 oh not at all. Just wanted to accurately represent how they are saying it will be paid for (the increase). Whether that is true or not only time will tell. As I said, I was a no vote.
Got it. Thanks so was I.