Historic Site Restoration In Ridgewood Sees Slowdowns, Still Moving Ahead: Village Council

RIDGEWOOD, NJ — A long-awaited and much-requested update on the restoration of the historic Zabriskie-Schedler House and Property in Ridgewood was provided Wednesday by Village Manager Heather Mailander at a meeting of the council.

Shortly after an update was requested at the meeting by residents, one of whom expressed disappointment that the property several years after purchase was not yet completed, Mailander assured that the project, which is now in its final phase, "is moving forward."

"While updates and information (on the house and property) have been light and almost non-existent, I think we were avoiding interference," Mayor Susan Knudsen said at the meeting. "I think, in fairness, that has worked out quite well."

Fencing is in place, and berm work and other site development on the property was approved and is being completed, the village said.

Internal demolition occurred in late August, and restoration of the space will happen sometime soon, Mailander said. She added that she is not yet sure of the restoration timeline and should have an update next week.

"There was a slowdown (in the work)," Knudsen said. "But I had the opportunity to stop by to see the property, and once (the contractor) gets moving on all of this work, it is going to look absolutely magnificent."