April - May 2002 Edition

River Road Vacancies Drop 42%   In December 2000, local realtor Bob Beshlian told Fair Lawn News that “River Road has a high number of vacancies because of the temporary nature of the cooperative parking agreement.  Once everyone agrees on the cooperative parking agreement, then River Road should be very successful.”   (See old article)   Bob Beshlian was right.   Everyone agreed on a parking solution and the vacancy rate has plummeted.   Vacancies on River Road have declined from a high of 24 vacancies in early 2000 to 14 in March of 2002, a decline of 42%.   According to Don Smartt, Project Director for the River Road Improvement Corporation “it had been difficult for some properties to be rented.  The Council's unanimous action removed the difficulties and occupancy rates have risen. In one area of the River Road business area (Fair Lawn Avenue between George Street and River Road), the vacancy rate was particularly high with four to five units vacant for almost two years. Currently, there is 100% occupancy in that block.”   In March 2002, Bob Beshlian told Fair Lawn News that “the completion of the River Road cooperative parking agreement means that a period of uncertainty over what the requirements would be is now over.  No business, especially a new one, wants to locate into an area with many uncertainties.”   Before the cooperative parking plan and agreement were adopted by the Council, the Borough required prospective businesses to pay higher fees and appear before the Planning Board.  Last year, the Council reduced the fees and amended the ordinance; now a business owner looking to open a gift shop or a bookstore does not automatically find itself having to appear - at great cost in legal fees - before the Planning Board."   The parking plan describes the existing and proposed parking in the district (including the cooperative parking lot next to the Bank of New York created several years ago).  The new ordinance offers an opportunity to open up private parking for public purposes.