New Workforce Housing, Career Tech School To Break Ground In Bergen, Co. Executive Said

BERGEN COUNTY, NJ — "Bergen County is strong and growing stronger each and every day," County Executive Jim Tedesco said in his ninth State of the County address. "But our work is not done."

In his remarks Tuesday in Hackensack, Tedesco outlined a multi-point plan for 2023, reaffirming a commitment to address a range of regional challenges, and he praised the completion of major administrative initiatives.

From spearheading a solution to one of Bergen County's largest infrastructure headaches — the Route 17 bottleneck — to updating the County's Master Plan for the first time in 60 years, Tedesco's administration, he said, is tackling issues that have lingered for decades.

"While progress may not always be fast or easy, Bergen County — for the most part — has been a proving ground of good government of the people, by the people, and for the people," Tedesco said at his first live, in-person State of the County address in three years. "I am very proud to build upon the foundation we have laid as we continue to lead Bergen County forward."

Tedesco said the project is moving forward to widen the two-lane Route 17 — a key arterial highway — as is a "well-overdue effort" to update the Master Plan, and that these are two of several initiatives his administration is committed to.

In addition to a number of infrastructure upgrades, and road and bridge repairs, Bergen County, the executive said, is planning groundbreakings for a new workforce housing project for entry-level workers, and a new career technical education school to "address shortages in high-demand fields."

He also pledged that his administration would continue Bergen County's mission "to care for the most vulnerable residents" by supporting mental health services, the county's public hospital Bergen New Bridge Medical Center, and the county's Food Security Task Force — which, to date, has dispersed nearly $1 million in federal relief funds to 41 pantries across two rounds of applications.

"Looking to 2023, (my administration) will continue our efforts to further bolster the strong foundation we have laid over the last eight years," according to the executive, who was elected last year to his third 3-year term.

As he outlined challenges, he also seized the opportunity to reflect on administrative achievements, including the implementation of Bergen County's own Emergency Medical Services Ambulatory Unit and the opening of a training annex at the Bergen County Law and Public Safety Institute in Mahwah.

Bergen County EMS — which, just weeks ago, began responding to calls — serves as a "force multiplier" to supplement medical response countywide, and is "already making a difference" in municipalities and in lives of residents. The new annex — which opened in October — supports regional cross-disciplinary training for first responders, allowing them to train in "life-replicating conditions," Tedesco said.

In the past year, Tedesco said, his administration has celebrated completion of several large-scale park upgrades, including renovations of the Darlington Driving Range, the opening of the Bergen County Rowing Center in Riverside County Park and of the Van Buskirk Island County Park kayak launch, and ecological restoration of the Ridgewood Wild Duck Pond.

"We know that access to parks and green space for active and passive recreation contributes positively to mental health and physical well being of residents."," Tedesco said. "Throughout my tenure, my administration has preserved open space and continues to invest in our park system for the enjoyment of generations to come."

He also said the county had acquired approximately a mile of property on the East Rutherford border, at the former Carlton Hill railroad station, presenting a "rare opportunity" to reclaim the "long-abandoned" site for public use.

A refresh of amenities in Saddle River County Park, including installation of new pickleball courts; historic building restoration at a farm, barn and house; and a new Bergen County Zoo exhibit are planned as well.

"My administration works every single day to serve our residents," Tedesco said, in closing. "I stand here ready to serve you for years to come, and we will continue to be the best county in the state, without a doubt. We are Bergen County strong. "