Summer 2003 Edition  

Options For New Recreation Center   By Chris Neidenberg Depending on what the Borough Council ultimately decides, costs for an enhanced Rec Center site could fall anywhere within $1.1 million to $6.6 million, an architect recently reported. Just how much of those costs will reach the pockets of borough property owners will, of course, depend on factors such as which option is picked - and the possibility that the council can obtain outside help. In early May, the council reviewed a preliminary report from Allen Weitzman, one of two architects the borough is using in coming up with renderings through the Fair Lawn firm, the Harding Group. The process of considering proposals is expected to continue for a number of months. Harding has been commissioned to develop a proposal that will enlarge the major recreational facility off Romaine Street. This, after the council suddenly opted to sell the Fair Lawn Arts Center on River Road earlier this year, forcing the relocation of the Fair Lawn Arts Association. The council has tentatively sold the site to a Fort Lee developer for $975,000. Among other things, an expanded Rec Center building would become the association's new permanent home. During his roughly 40-minute presentation, Weitzman outlined the different and complex scenarios on a projection screen. The presentation followed weeks of meetings where Harding representatives caucused with parties from the different groups, including the school board, recreation department, and the association. Yet, ultimately, the borough's five governing body members will control the purse strings. "We need to adopt an acceptable budget that you are comfortable with, " Weitzman said. "We need to develop a program for that budget, and a program that works." Numerous details that must be hammered out over the many months include: how many stories a new facility will be, the amount of space allocated for the different entities (such as the Radio Club and Old Library Theater), and whether the building should be "stilted," which could alter the parking scheme. Weitzman explained that, in exploring the layout, project planners must decide where the different facilities will be located (such as on what level the art studio will reside) in determining how a finite amount of space can best be used. Mayor David L Ganz urged his colleagues to strongly consider two major add-ons: a second gymnasium that could be used for additional recreation programs, and a large auditorium that appropriately showcases the art association's many activities, and can be used for major stage productions. The mayor urged the council to be creative in trying to finance the facility. Ganz said the more money coming from outside sources, the better the borough's chances are for building a site which offers the most amenities in servicing building users. As an example, Ganz noted that the borough might be able to procure a state "cultural arts" grant. "Maybe the county can put a satellite program there and share the costs," added the mayor, a county freeholder. "The important thing is to build a building for multiple purposes." Looking For County Funds The Borough Council is considering partnering with the Bergen County Improvement Authority (BCIA), in a strategy aimed at lowering the local tax burden for funding any enhanced Rec Center site. Mayor David L. Ganz said the BCIA is willing to loan the borough funding for the project at an annual rate of 1.25 percent, repayable over at least a 30-year span. He told colleagues he broached Authority Director Ed Hynes on the topic. Still, the council will need to do some detailed number crunching, just to be sure. Members will have to decide just how much they are willing to put up for the biggest site they feel taxpayers can afford. Architect Allen Weitzman has offered a wide range of options: costing between $1.1 million and $6.6 million. Ganz, a county freeholder, told colleagues that getting the BCIA's aid might best help Fair Lawn afford the grandest - and most expensive - renovation option which best services the community's needs. The mayor maintained that the BCIA, as an independent public agency, has "more leeway" under which it can lend municipalities money, than private banks. He claimed that the authority's preliminary offer "is still a lot better than what the borough can do on its own," that is, in arranging a loan from commercial lenders. "We need to go back to the architect and have him give us a comparison as to what each of the specifics (options) are," Ganz told colleagues. The mayor said he learned the authority could offer a deal that would let Fair Lawn amortize (pay off) any BCIA loan over a period exceeding 30 years.  If, under the authority's initial offer, Fair Lawn would only have to pay out $240,000 annually for the best option, Ganz said the council would be hard-pressed to pass up the offer. "Suppose the tooth fairy said you could now have this (using the BCIA's cost projections) for a world class arts center that gives residents everything they want," a wishful mayor told colleagues.   Note:  Mr. Neidenberg is a talented local writer looking for a job.  If you have a job tip for him, send an e- mail to cn07055@aol.com