PARK RIDGE—The Borough Council president said that “wheels are in motion” to get updated construction costs for a possible future community recreation center on property adjoining The James, a residential mixed-use development named in honor of late “The Sopranos” star and borough native James Gandolfini.
The developer of The James, Park Ridge Transit LLC, was required to put $750,000 toward the construction of a community center.
Both Mayor Keith Misciagna and Council President John Ferguson said the council is looking to get more updated price information before deciding whether to move forward, responding to questions from former councilman William Fenwick at the Feb. 27 meeting.
Misciagna said, “There is a renewed interest. We are revisiting the numbers. The builder who was required to oversee the project and be the construction manager is still on the hook for that at a very reduced rate.”
Addressing Fenwick, he said, “So if in fact the project could be done less expensive, we would like—I think everybody would love, including you—if we could do it, but we’ll have to see.”
Fenwick then asked if there were any new plans for the community center project.
Ferguson said, “The plans are the plans. When we got prices for it in 2020 the construction costs were through the roof for materials.”
Officials have said that cost estimates jumped from around $2.5 million to more than $8 million for the community center.
Ferguson said the borough has reached out to the engineer and construction company “to revise the pricing on it and so the wheels are in motion to get the updated pricing.”
Ferguson said “It might behoove us to go out to bid on it and it might be cheaper; we have to see. Once we start getting the new numbers we’re going to make that decision, but the wheels are in motion, 110%.”
The mayor corrected previous reporting that stated that the community recreation center would be placed on The James’ property. He said there was never a plan to put the recreation center on The James’ property, but rather on the adjoining commuter parking lot, a borough-owned property.
Borough administrator Maggie Giandomenico confirmed last October that the developer monies provided for a community center were in a dedicated account. Fenwick, then finance committee chair, said that some of the funds may have been spent on engineering for preliminary plans.
Former administrator Julie Falkenstern had 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.
The Borough Council had hired Minno & Wasko Architects and Planners of Lambertville in September 2020 on a $20,000 retainer to provide design development, schematic design and architectural services for the development of a community recreation center.
Misciagna told Pascack Press in spring 2019 that the 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.