Eminent Domain

PARKING -


Parking has been an issue in Ridgewood for as long as anyone can remember. Many surrounding towns do not have this problem since traffic is less strenuos in places like Glen Rock, Fair Lawn, & Midland Park. Many of these towns do not even have parking meters in their down town business district.

Ridgewood on the other hand - has parking meters effective until 8pm Monday through Friday. The village council is currently in the process of file papers with the state to acquire lot space in the Downtown Business District using "EMINENT DOMAIN" to build a parking structure by the train station.

The proposed renovations to the Ridgewood Train Station will comply with state and federal regulations for handicap accessibility. This project is estimated to cost upwards of $10 - $20 million much of which will be paid for by NJ TRANSIT.

I would like to see the results of the village parking study to determine exactly how much traffic congestion would be relieved with this proposed parking structure. I don't believe this structure will do much to satisfy village residents. In my opinion - if the village is taking steps to virtually steal property from an over 30 year business owner - if they want the village to support their decision, they should provide an incentive to residents to do this.

(Eminent domain states a property can be acquired by the state if its current use could be altered to better support the city and its residents) - After paying 2.67% property taxes for village services - the least the town could do is offer free parking to village residents.

Wouldn't it also be great if the village took steps to create a public transportation system within the village to help alleviate some of this traffic flow. Here is what I propose.

A San Francisco trolly type bus that would operate for free or a minimal fee from all elementary schools to the train station and park & ride from 5 am to 10 am. After 10 am the trolly would switch to provide transportation from all elementary schools to the downtown business district till 4 pm. From 4 pm - 7 pm the trolly would include the train station and the park & ride.

Of course this trolly would operate on some combination of "Biodiesel" fuel that would be both cost efficient and environmentally friendly. The projected roundtrip routes would be from 20 - 45 minutes to complete the 5 mile loop of the village. This would not only allieviate the congestion downtown but also free up parking at the train station while providing a great service for many residents.

I will be conducting a cost analysis of this proposed project and post the results.