Ridgewood Finds Non-Permanent Solution for Parking Problem

The Village of Ridgewood released unofficial negotiations with KS Broad Street LLC, the new owners of Ken Smith on Franklin Avenue, to arrange a temporary parking solution for employees in Ridgewood’s central business district. This said private-public partnership, whose contracts remain to be signed, will “provide an interim solution for a long-term problem,” states Village Manager, Roberta Sonefeld.

The lot currently contains 150 spots that would increase from 180-200, if tentative plans to tear down the Ken Smith building are successful. Whole Foods Market on Godwin currently occupies 65 of the spaces on this property, which was closed in 2012 after 62 years of business, according to The Ridgewood News.

In order for employees of businesses in the central business area of Ridgewood to park in this lot, an affordable fee would be required. The Village plans to provide all administrative instruction over this lot, and 10% of the monthly fee would be received by the Ridgewood’s parking utility. “It’s not going to be a huge money maker for us,” Sonefeld adds.

Sonefeld continues, “It will get cars off the street, but its success is based off of two things: One that the chamber really works hard to push it with businesses, and maybe some of those businesses will help subsidize some of the parking tabs that we are selling. And it means stricter enforcement of parking.”

Sonefeld also mentions the consideration of extending Ridgewood’s central business district metered parking from its current 2 hour limit to 3 hours, a solution that will be further considered by the Village Council. Finally, Sonefeld finishes by stating “the new ordinance for this, plus the service of the contract between us and KS Broad Street” should be available and finalized by next week.