PARK RIDGE—Mayor Keith Misciagna, flush with a re-election win on Nov. 7, told Pascack Press that he hoped to revitalize efforts to build a community center after increasing costs had forced the council to cancel the project.
The issue was raised at an October council meeting, only weeks before Election Day.
Misciagna told us on Nov. 20, “I believe we can reopen the discussion now with the new council so I’m hopeful we can come up with a plan going forward.”
The mayor said the project’s cost went up significantly during and after the Covid pandemic.
“Previously we thought we could get it done for $3 million to $4 million. The newest numbers ranged from over $5 million to over $8 million. I sensed that there may be support for it now. I have always been committed to building a Rec center but other projects took priority. Now it’s my hope we can revisit and restart the project,” Misciagna said.
$750,000 from The James developer
Most of approximately $750,000 received from the developer of The James to help fund a down payment on a new community center remains safe and secure in a dedicated account, said local officials in response to a resident’s question at the Oct. 24 council meeting.
Meanwhile, officials said an estimated cost for the long-discussed community center ballooned from about $2.5 million to $8.2 million, more than tripling in cost, and was a major reason the project was temporarily halted.
At the Oct. 24 meeting, Misciagna told resident Liza Falato-Lau that the Borough Council decided not to build the community center, originally planned near The James, due to the center’s much-increased cost estimate.
However, Falato-Lau said a number of residents had asked her what happened with the community center while she was going around town. Falato-Lau, a Republican, recently challenged Misciagna for mayor in the Nov. 7 election, running with incumbent councilmen William Fenwick and John Cozzi.
Misciagna, a Democrat and two-term mayor, along with former councilmen Robert Metzdorf and Michael Mintz, were elected over the Republican slate at the Nov. 7 election.
(See “Mayors-elect Arroyo, Ghassali, Misciagna, Rendo, Sheinfield,” Michael Olohan, Nov. 13, 2023, Pascack Press. Also see “Misciagna and Falato-Lau square off for gavel,” Michael Olohan, Oct. 2, 2023, Pascack Press.)
Misciagna said that the initial community center estimates put the structure’s cost at about $2.5 million. However, that estimate ballooned to nearly $8.2 million, said councilman John Ferguson at the Oct. 24 meeting.
“Covid hit, prices quadrupled and this council said we’re not going to spend that much money because they don’t want to raise taxes or bond to do it. That’s exactly what happened,” said Misciagna.
Ferguson said at the time the council voted not to move forward because it was “way too much money.” He said the community center was not “dead” in his mind and that once the council deals with the dredging concerns at Mill Pond, it’s likely a future project in 2024.
“It’s not dead with me. It’s not dead,” Ferguson said.
Misciagna has been a strong advocate for the community center, telling Pascack Press in September 2020 that a center would complement downtown redevelopment and help downtown businesses by creating foot traffic vital to a thriving business center.
Borough Administrator Maggie Giandomenico confirmed Oct. 24 that the developer monies provided for a community center were in a dedicated account. Fenwick, finance committee chair, said that some of the funds may have been spent on engineering for preliminary plans.
Previously, former administrator Julie Falkenstern told Pascack Press that the downtown developer, Park Ridge Transit LLC, was required to contribute $250,000 in soft costs (for architect and engineering services) and $500,000 toward center construction.
Initial plans had envisioned the community center behind The James. However, it was unclear why construction was not begun at some point on the community center.
Council hired Minno & Wasko Architects and Planners, Lambertville, Sept. 22, 2020: a $20,000 retainer to provide design development, schematic design and architectural services for the development of a community recreation center.
“The purpose of the preliminary design costs is to establish the amount to be charged for the purpose for which bonds may be issued under Chapter 2 of Title 40A, said the consent resolution, “which was approved unanimously.
Falkenstern told Pascack Press that the proposed Community Recreation Center would be built on the commuter lot directly behind The James. Although some parking spots would be lost, she said then, they’ll be recouped in the onsite parking garage.
“We are in the beginning stages of planning what it will look like,” said Falkenstern then. She said if all goes as planned, the borough should present preliminary plans for a new community center to the Planning Board by the end of 2020.
Misciagna told Pascack Press in spring 2019 that the downtown developer’s $500,000 contribution would help in moving toward a community center, which would include a public plaza, a space for outdoor dining, and a space for residents to relax in.
The James, named after late Park Ridge native James Gandolfini, an actor, producer, and philanthropist, is a five-story, 240-unit complex with 17,000 square feet of ground-level retail space on 3.2 acres near the Kinderkamack Road–Park Avenue intersection. It took the place of a former waste transfer station that filled the site.
The James also includes 24 affordable rental apartments, and 423 parking spaces—mostly in an onsite parking garage. It started leasing in summer 2021, and achieved full occupancy by early 2022, officials said then.