HILLSDALE—A councilman on the borough’s Economic Development Committee has reported on several new ideas toward boosting commerce, increasing foot traffic and safety, and creating more dining options downtown.
In a brief presentation, “Rethinking Streets,” Councilman Frank Pizzella said at the March 1 meeting of the governing body that streets represent “the livelihood of our community and the foundation of suburban life.” He pressed his colleagues to consider new options to assist local businesses and entice more people to come to the borough’s downtown to help spur revitalization.
Pizzella said he hoped the council would take these ideas up at a later date.
Mayor John Ruocco had asked Pizzella and the Economic Development Committee to come forward with suggestions to “liberalize” current code and allow outdoor dining options. “I don’t want Hillsdale not to do it when these other towns are doing it,” the mayor said.
Pizzella told council that options to expand outdoor dining spaces are already being used in New Jersey and elsewhere. He said these start out gradually and often evolve and become more permanent.
He said some options to increase downtown visits and expand dining include seasonal parklets, which extend the sidewalk and take up the space of one or more parking spaces, to expand the footprint for dining and retail sales.
He said parklets are “basically an extension of the sidewalk” that allow dining tables or retail goods to be placed in a protected place just off the curb allow pedestrians to pass by unhindered by tables or wares blocking the sidewalk.
Other options, he said, may be a “streetery” that permits the borough to close the street and allow for outdoor dining or retail.
He said a “gamelet” — similar to a parklet in using existing parking space — could be an area set up with tables for chess or board games or other passive activities. These would “be for fun and create interest” in the downtown, he said.
Also, he floated the creation of “public green streets” would allow the public to use the street for safely strolling and accessing downtown stores and shops safely without vehicle traffic.
“Basically what we’re trying to do is promote safety, promote safe spaces, promote local business,” said Pizzella. He said such additions could help create a sense of place downtown, revitalize the downtown, and promote walking and biking.
His presentation included links for more information and resources that can help town officials consider what options may be best suited for Hillsdale. He showed examples of possible parklets and expanded outdoor dining options for Hillsdale to consider.
He also showed a borough-wide map and suggested specific street options to increase pedestrian traffic, including Broadway, Hillsdale, Avenue, Orchard Street, Park Avenue, and a possible walkway from the Patterson Street Redevelopment Area.
He said Orchard Street might become a “green street” and link the redevelopment area to the downtown.
Also, Park Avenue could have outdoor dining options, as traffic is generally light there, he said.
Pizzella said it was important for officials to decide where temporary outdoor dining might be permitted now, noting “you cannot make outdoor dining a reality if you cannot tell a business where it would go.”
First, he said, officials must decide where outdoor dining will be allowed that still allows safe pedestrian passage. He said along Broadway, the sidewalk is not large enough for outdoor dining and pedestrians to pass safely, especially elderly people.
Pizzella said he would present suggestions to incorporate expanded dining options into borough code soon. He noted grants may be available to help businesses purchase prefabricated parklets that allow for easy installation and removal.