City Still Looking Into Alternative Garage Sites

Although City Council approved the closing of Clinton between 15th and 16th Streets to store the vehicles that are currently in the—soon to be vacated—municipal garage on Observer Highway, city officials confirmed on Thursday afternoon that they are still considering other options. 

"Opportunities came to us after the (council) meeting," said Mayor Dawn Zimmer. "It's my obligation to check it out."

Although no city official would disclose any details about the potential plans that are still being considered, Director of Environmental Services Jennifer Maier said there are currently three other options on the table. 

Zimmer said the city is "quickly exploring" the other options. But, she added, "it's probably going to be Clinton Street."

When the city sold the municipal garage to the Hudson County Improvement Authority in 2005 under the Dave Roberts Administration, it used the money to plug the deficit in the budget. In the meantime, the city has been leasing back the property and decided to award a contract to Paramus-based development firm S. Hekemian Group in 2007, to build a 12-story, 240-unit apartment complex on the site. The selling price that was decided on was $25.5 million. In the meantime, said Hekemian's Corporation Counsel Doug Cohen at a recent council meeting, the property's value has dropped to $14 million. 

Some city officials as well as Council members believe there is a real chance that Hekemian won't be able to close on Aug. 13. If that is the case, the city keeps a $2.55 million down payment it received from the firm and buys back the garage with the $16 million bond that was approved by City Council. 

In addition to closing the portion of Clinton Street, the mayor proposed to temporarily outsource the maintenance on the city's vehicles for 60 days, according to a  press release sent out by Spokesman Juan Melli last month. The outsourcing will last "until the status of the existing municipal garage site is clear on the planned closing date," according to the release. 

The closing date is August 13. 

Maier said she'd like to start moving vehicles and equipment on Monday. But, she said, "that depends on if everything goes through."  

During a council meeting in June, owner of Mile Square Towing Ronnie Miller offered the city to use his facility, which is located on 15th and Jefferson Streets, for $27,500 a year, plus utilities. 

Although Business Administrator Arch Liston said during the last council meeting that the Mile Square Towing option is still on the table, Miller—who met with city officials about the offer—said the city has not contacted him to talk more about the project.  

"They haven't said a word to me," Miller said. "They wouldn't even talk about it at the council meeting."

During the last council meeting, Attorney John Curley spoke on behalf of Burlington Coat Factory, urging City Council not to close the portion of Clinton Street, because that's where Burlington has access to its loading dock. Curley said also that closing a city street by a resolution—rather than an ordinance—is not allowed. Curley said also that the city is not allowed to close a public street, if it's not in the best interest of the entire public. 

When asked if there's some truth to Curley's statements, Zimmer declined to respond, because of potential litigation. 

"We are moving forward with Clinton Street," wrote Melli in an e-mail to Patch, "while exploring other options."