file photo by Boyd Loving
Ridgewood’s parking changes neglect certain employees
JANUARY 9, 2015 LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY, JANUARY 9, 2015, 9:55 AM
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS
Parking changes neglect workers
To The Editor:
Once again, Ridgewood has missed the mark with the new parking changes.
An important element of downtown shopping has been neglected. Many of the employees of downtown businesses are part-time. The monthly, unlimited fee does not work for someone who may work only a couple of short shifts a week. This is not uncommon for many of the retail businesses in town.
How does an hourly worker park for six hours legally? They run out every three hours to move their car? The very same people that made use of the 12-hour lots on the periphery of downtown will be parking in premium spots since there is no incentive for them to park farther away. They still have to move their car and there is no savings afforded them by using the lots.
I see all sides of this having been a resident of Ridgewood for 30-plus years and a merchant for 26 years. Unless the intention of the village is to penalize and ticket the workers that staff our businesses, I’m going to call the changes another failure to meet the needs of downtown Ridgewood.
Valerie Groom
Ridgewood
The Chamber President Paul Vagianos went to great length at Wed. Village Council meeting to explain his theory on why the new parking plan will work. Be patient next year there will be a new parking garage that will bring back the shoppers.
I have said this in the past this article is right on the money.
Don’t hold your breath on getting a parking garage anytime soon. In spite of all the talk it is just that….talk.
Monthly employee passes can be shared among employees. Employer can buy an $80 monthly pass and share it among her various shifts. The lots are Ken Smith (which is next to the NJ train station/east side) and Cottage Street lot. The cost is $80 per month per pass.
It is certainly worth a try to see if it frees up additional space for customers. Perhaps if owners had not let their employees run out every 2 hours (now 3 hours) and move their car, employers wouldn’t be beggaring their neighbors by parking in front of each others stores. (“Just don’t park near mine.”)
Thanks Paul Vagianos for the above update. Unfortunately us works don’t have the connections or money that you have to pay for these things.
No, but your employer does.
Yeh right #6. Name a single small business owner who can afford to pay $80/mo/ hang tag. for employees to park. ?
Yeh right #7. Better we should all shoulder the burden for a parking garage. Or better yet park in front of each others businesses.