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—
We all
recall the Borough of Waldwick^s
council meetings in the summer of
2005 where more than 150 property
owners crowded in the council
chambers in rejection of the
“Railroad Area” redevelopment
study. Fortunately, the Mayor &
Council recognized the owners^
strenuous objections and passed
ordinance 13-05, prohibiting the use
of eminent domain for private
development. Several local business
owners suggested that local property
owners should develop their own plan
to upgrade, and not
redevelop the area in question.
The Mayor & Council agreed, and a
promise was made.
The fulfillment of
that promise has led to the formation of
the
Waldwick Community
Alliance
(WCA)
which consists primarily of local
business owners and residents united in
a single purpose; to address the
concerns of the municipality while
maintaining the residential, commercial,
and light industrial balance that was
created as the original intent of this
historic downtown community. The intent
of this association is to work together
with community leaders, property owners,
historic societies and NJ Transit to
develop a plan that will beautify the
downtown historic area. Our hope is to
not only beautify the area, but provide
safety and add to the quality of life
resulting in an area all of Waldwick can
be proud of. We feel that our plan will
result in continued economic success in
the area and will also attract new
business opportunities resulting in
increased property values and ultimately
increased tax revenue.
The
WCA has
received a 501(c)3 status as a
tax-exempt organization so that we may
obtain necessary grants and private
donations and borough funding. The
WCA is
also consulting with NJ Transit, Michael
Brunkhorst of the Waldwick Historical
Society and Wayne T. McCabe, an award
winning historian, author and historical
preservationist to develop a plan that
will focus around the boroughs^ historic
train station and encompass areas of
West Prospect Street, Hewson Avenue,
Harrison Avenue, with the potential to
expand to other nearby streets.


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