MONTVALE, N.J.—The borough is putting its 61-spot parking lot on Railroad Avenue up for public auction, seeking a minimum bid of $850,000.
The auction is Friday, Oct. 18 at 10 a.m. at the Municipal Complex, 12 Mercedes Dr.
According to minutes of the Sept. 24 mayor and council work session, the council agreed to a resolution for the move, affecting Block 1601, Lot 14 on the official tax map.
The 0.61-acre Railroad Avenue property is used as an asphalt-paved parking lot for a maximum of approximately 61 vehicles.
There are two other permit parking lots nearby Montvale Station—on the Pascack Valley Line, at the intersection of Kinderkamack Road and Grand Avenue—with 11 and 139 parking spots.
The lot’s sale, the council agreed, is in the best interest of the borough, as the land is not required for public purposes.
The resolution stipulates it is the responsibility of the bidder to determine whether the property is subject to encumbrances, liens, zoning regulations, easements, or other restrictions.
Montvale intends to retain all existing utility easements and public rights-of-way. The borough also intends to retain a right of reentry.
The minimum bid for this property is $850,000 and the Borough of Montvale expressly reserves the right to accept the highest bid received or to reject all bids in its sole discretion.
In public comments, Jarret Schumacher asked for clarification regarding the potential sale; the borough attorney explained that the developer would have up to Jan. 1, 2024 to put a shovel in the ground, otherwise the town would have the option to purchase it back for 20% less than purchase price.
Member Timothy Lane moved the resolution, which passed unanimously by roll call vote.
On Oct.7, the council passed resolutions: hiring part-time on-call crossing guard Nikitas Zardas; approving a concession contract with American Recycling Technologies; designating the Police Department as the appropriate municipal agency to administer clothing donation bins in the borough; and awarding a professional service contract for engineering services for Senior Community Center toilet renovations.