PARK RIDGE—Borough officials told Pascack Press in September that they are still awaiting “updated pricing” on materials and construction for a proposed community center, after calling for new estimates nearly six months ago.
Mayor Keith Misciagna remains optimistic about the center, noting that “We have our engineer evaluating new pricing. Council President John Ferguson has been exploring our options and we are hopeful that we can restart this project.”
Misciagna suggests the project, when complete, will burnish the borough’s appeal as “a hot regional destination” home to many new businesses, including a pub/restaurant, and new professional offices at The James mixed-use complex on Kinderkamack Road. He says these join a French bakery, a supper club featuring pasta dishes, a candy shop, and a seafood and a Greek restaurant that also enliven the local downtown scene.
And he adds, “We continue to upgrade our infrastructure with many new roads being paved, with increased handicapped accessible sidewalk improvements, electrical substation upgrades and new water filtration systems being installed— much of it financed with federal and state grants.”
While downtown investments have been moving forward, plans for the community center remain in limbo. Ferguson, who has been advocating for the center, explains that officials are still waiting for requested details.
“I have asked (for updated pricing) over the last month or so. They are working on it. Once the numbers are complete, they will be shared,” he told Pascack Press on Sept. 3.
At a February meeting, borough officials had said the updated prices would be compiled by the engineer and a construction management company.
The original community center project was paused several years ago when construction prices came back at nearly $8 million to $10 million during the pandemic. Original estimates had pegged the cost at approximately $2.5 million, officials said earlier this year.
It remains unclear what the delays are in providing price updates. We invited borough engineer Neglia Engineering to comment for this artcle.
Former councilman William Fenwick, who raised the issue of updated pricing at a late February meeting, said that before he left the council in late 2023, he was told the prior community center plans “would cost in excess of $10 million to build at current prices.”
Fenwick told Pascack Press in early September, “The community center project as proposed is simply too costly for Park Ridge to pursue at the moment. Last year, Park Ridge voted down a public referendum to dredge Mill Pond, which had a projected cost of $10.5 million and a corresponding 5% municipal tax increase.”
He said, “Given the results of that referendum and the national economic uncertainty we are now facing, it does not appear to me that the residents of Park Ridge would be in favor of such a massive capital expenditure at this juncture.”
Ferguson acknowledged the challenges but remains hopeful. “We already have design plans. When we got the cost back in 2020 or 2021, it was astronomical. We are hoping that the cost will be more affordable since materials have dropped in price. So what we are waiting on is the updated pricing.”
Nearly four years ago, the Borough Council hired Minno & Wasko Architects and Planners of Lambertville on a $20,000 retainer to provide design development, schematic design, and architectural services for the development of a community recreation center. The proposed community center was to be built on the commuter lot, which is borough-owned property.
Ferguson told Pascack Press that the borough engineer was directed to put together new pricing on the project. “This is a passion project for me. We live in such a small town with limited public spaces for residents to gather, have meetings, and play sports, to name a few,” he said.
In late August, he added, “Unfortunately, I can’t give you a timeline at this moment. When the pricing comes back, (we) will be able to formulate a better plan. My hope is to get reelected in November so I can continue pushing this project to the finish line.”
Democrats Ferguson and Councilman Matthew Capilli’s terms expire Dec. 31. Capilli is not seeking reelection. Democrat Jason P. Destro is running for Capilli’s seat. Republican challengers include former councilors John M. Cozzi and William R. Fenwick.