JULY 29, 2015 LAST UPDATED: WEDNESDAY, JULY 29, 2015, 9:11 AM
BY MARK KRULISH
STAFF WRITER |
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS
Finding a parking spot at the Village Hall lot has been tough sledding lately for some visitors to the municipal complex.
The arrival of summer means that many outdoor events are taking place at Veterans Field. The added hustle and bustle, along with regular events at the Ridgewood Public Library and day-to-day business at Village Hall, often causes the 153-space main lot to be full at various points during both the day and evening.
Earlier this month, discussion began on how the auxiliary lots on Linwood Avenue, one of which is at the other end of Veterans Field, could be better utilized in handling the parking needs of patrons attending overlapping events.
For example, on the evening of Tuesday, July 7, there was a Warren Grim tribute concert at Kasschau Shell, a baseball game, a Planning Board meeting at Village Hall and the library was hosting its knitting group, Mahjongg group and bicycle club.
Councilwoman Susan Knudsen, who was present at the municipal complex that evening as a Planning Board member, characterized the parking situation as “dangerous.” She said some motorists were bottlenecking as they drove around waiting for a spot. Other cars were sitting idle while parallel to parking spaces, blocking in other cars.
Deputy Mayor Albert Pucciarelli noted it was possible for a person to park in those spaces and then go anywhere in town, or perhaps even walk to the train station and travel to New York City. The only parking limits placed on the Village Hall lot is the presence of 36 yellow-striped spaces reserved for village employees, which expires at 4:30 p.m. each day. There are also 17 spaces reserved for staff members of the Ridgewood Library.
Currently, 89 spaces in the main lot and another 17 on North Maple Avenue are available for visitors to Village Hall and the Ridgewood Library.
https://www.northjersey.com/news/solutions-sought-to-clear-congestion-1.1382456
Damn. The secret’s out. This was a great free parking. It’s not that far along Maple Ave to the bus stop to catch the 163/164 to NYC.
Let’s put a performing arts center there, that should help with parking!
well in the town I can not find parking. it’s bad i see a lot of people going to other towns to eat because on a thursday friday and saturday night no parking.
How many spots are reserved for staff? It does not feel like there are 89 parking spots.
The proposed “renewal” of the library will add to the chaos and attract more people to the library.
Maybe if Valley moves the library can take over their property. They cam have knitting clubs, cooking clubs and all the other groups that they want. They can even have their performing arts center.
So lets build a 15 million dollar parking garage for Thursday Friday and Saturday night right 7:06?
People at sports events are NOT SUPPOSED TO PARK AT THE LIBRARY/VILLAGE HALL LOT. Lazy and selfish.
Why not 11:52? The fields were there before the Library. People that only want Library users to park in that lot are the Lazy and selfish. That is a municipal lot paid and maintained by the Taxpayers of Ridgewood .
7:06 – why not park a few blocks from your restaurant and walk? It is a concept. Burn a few calories before and after you eat.
Hey, let’s buy the Elk’s Lodge, and put up a parking lot and performing art center.
I heard the town was actually interested in buying the building.
Most people don’t know, our town hall was the original Elk’s Lodge.
Sure Bob the town should buy it take it of the tax rolls build the performing arts center which will need more parking and just think the price to maintain it ( heating,air condition,lights, maintains and don’t forget the payroll to run it.) WOW
well the first floor should of bin parking, so then when it floods , o and it will no damage would come with the water, I know stop thinking.
trump is coming to walk around.real soon.
Let the employees park at the parking garage. And walk to Village Hall and used towns shuttle to transport them back-and-forth.