BY MICHAEL OLOHAN
OF NORTHERN VALLEY PRESS
CRESSKILL, N.J.—If you’ve ever had to search around downtown Cresskill for a parking space during the day, your luck may be about to change.
Or at least the parking space will be a little nicer.
Thanks to a $1.38 million bond ordinance introduced Dec. 5—scheduled for a public hearing on Dec. 19 at 7:30 p.m.—the Borough Council plans to improve a large swath of parking area behind the businesses and shops on Union Avenue.
The bond issue plans to upgrade electrical infrastructure and finance improvements such as paving and curbing for an existing parking area that runs mostly the length of Allen Street, from Union Avenue to Piermont Road behind the downtown shops.
A new community parking facility is planned for a series of existing parking lots accessed via Allen Street and behind Union Avenue shops, such as a bagel store, restaurant, dry cleaners and liquor store. The borough holds an existing easement to most of the lots where improvements will be made, said Borough Clerk Francesca Maragliano.
The bond ordinance is vague on the parking area’s dimensions, but the borough clerk said that the plan for such lot improvements has been in the works for a while.
She said the bond ordinance will include new paving, utilities and lighting for the improved parking area.
According to the ordinance introduced Dec. 5, the $1.38 million bond’s purpose is “to construct a community parking facility on Allen Street in, by and for the Borough. Said improvement shall include all work, materials and appurtenances necessary and suitable therefor,” states Bond Ordinance 18-20-1532.
The lack of downtown parking has long been an issue for shopkeepers on nearby Union Avenue, who have raised concerns about the need for additional spaces. However, it was unclear how many spaces would be available should the bond ordinance pass, or a specific timetable for the project.
Two shopkeepers who spoke with Northern Valley Press Dec. 12 were vaguely aware of the borough’s efforts, though neither could confirm what was planned or when it might occur.
Both said similar efforts to enhance off-street parking have been discussed over the years—with a major meeting occurring nearly a decade ago although no improvements occurred since then.
Both shopkeepers suggested that due to the parking lots’ proximity and a covered passageway that leads from the Allen Street lots to Union Avenue, an improved parking area may be a boon for local businesses and shoppers.
Although the ordinance indicated a 10-year bonding period, it does not indicate what the $1.38 million improvement bond will cost an average local taxpayer.
While one shopkeeper said he heard approximately 80 spaces comprise the parking areas, neither the ordinance nor local officials were available to confirm details.
Multiple efforts to reach the mayor, council members and borough engineer for details or comment on the need for improvements were not returned by press time.