Ridgewood Parking Garage Opponents, Proponents Campaign Until The Last Minute

The question of whether or not Ridgewood should construct a multi-level parking garage downtown will finally go to the voters today.

The non-binding referendum question seeks to gauge public interest in the project, which is slated to built at the intersection of Hudson and South Broad streets. The garage is designed to provide additional parking for commuters, residents, and visitors to the Central Business District.

Funding would come from the Village’s Parking Utility, Bergen County, and the State of New Jersey, including New Jersey Transit.

Voting yes would also mean possibly approved bonding up to $15 million in public funds for the project. The funds would be paid for “principally — if not entirely — with parking revenues.”

The exact size and appearance of the proposed building has not yet been determined. The garage is expected to have about 300 parking spaces.

Mayor Paul Aronsohn sent an e-mail out Sunday stating that, after talking to residents regarding the project, ”people realize that a ’yes’ vote for the parking referendum is a ‘yes’ vote for Ridgewood.”

Aronsohn cites an anonymous letter that was mailed out recently that he says “distorts the size of the proposed parking deck.” (A copy of the mailing has been attached to this article.)

The text of Aronsohn’s e-mail is as follows:

Dear Neighbor,

Election Day is just around the corner … and the campaign to build Ridgewood’s first parking deck has been gaining support. As I walk through town and talk to literally thousands of residents, I can tell you that people increasingly realize that a “yes” vote for the parking referendum is a “yes” vote for Ridgewood.

And in addition to the many individual residents who have expressed strong support, we now have three important letters of endorsement – all supporting this initiative, all encouraging a “yes” vote on Tuesday.

• The Ridgewood Financial Advisory Committee
• The Ridgewood Historic Preservation Commission
• The Ridgewood Chamber of Commerce President

Without question, this is all very exciting.

Unfortunately, however, an anonymous mailer was sent to many Ridgewood homes this weekend – an anonymous mailer that was sent from a Newark Post Office and that is full of misinformation and distortions. And although no one was willing to take responsibility for the mailer, the language in it is strikingly similar to that used recently by others trying to undermine this important project for the Village.

So, let me set the record straight on some of the key issues being discussed:

• Parking revenues – NOT taxes – would pay for this parking deck. We have commissioned an independent financial analysis that demonstrates that we could easily pay for a parking deck using only parking revenues. Here isthat analysis.
• There would be NO charge for parking on Sundays. We don’t charge for parking on Sundays. Period. That’s true now. That will be true if/when we build a parking deck.
• There have been NO decisions taken with respect to meter times or rates. The independent financial analysis gave us a menu of options for paying for a parking deck without raising taxes. It would be up to the Council – with public input – to decide on any rate or time changes.
• The size and appearance of the proposed parking deck have NOT yet been decided. Our design team – with a great deal of public input – has been developing renderings of what a parking deck could look like, but we have NOT decided on size or appearance. Those two issues would be decided after the vote on the referendum.
• Tuesday’s referendum question is ONLY asking if residents support financing and building a garage on the Hudson Street lot. Nothing more. Nothing less. You will NOT be voting on the size, look or any other aspect of a proposed parking deck. Here is a copy of the official ballot question.
• The anonymous mailer greatly DISTORTS the size of the proposed parking deck. As noted on the mailer in very small letters, “artist rendering, not to exact scale.”
• A parking deck would likely lead to a significant DECREASE in traffic. According to our independent traffic consultant, a parking deck on the Hudson Street lot would have a very positive affect on the overall downtown traffic situation. The primary reason for this is that a parking deck would eliminate the need to drive around and around and around looking for a parking space.
• A parking deck would benefit ALL Ridgewood residents … commuters as well as shoppers/diners. The Council would have to decide how best to use the parking deck, but we would likely set aside some parking for commuters and some for those shopping, dining and working downtown.

• Tuesday’s vote provides ALL Ridgewood residents with a unique opportunity. As outlined in my letter-to-the-editor, we have an opportunity to do something smart, important and wonderful for our community.

B. Vincent Loncto is running unopposed for another three-year term on the Ridgewood Board of Education. 

Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. To view a sample ballot, click here.