The borough was awarded $15 million from the state for the construction of a new recreation-education complex and library that will provide classroom space for children and additional parking for residents.
The funding, approved by the state legislature in June and included within the state’s 2024 fiscal year budget, was sponsored by State Sen. Paul A. Sarlo and Assemblymen Clinton Calabrese of Cliffside Park and Gary Schaer, all representing Cliffside Park in the 36th District.
Sarlo, chairman of the Senate’s Budget and Appropriations Committee, alerted the governing body about the appropriation.
“We are very pleased to be able to provide to provide your community with funding for this project. We are certain it will be enjoyed by your residents and greatly improve the quality of life in your community while significantly reducing the tax burden on your taxpayers,” Sarlo said in a letter to the governing body.
Mayor Tom Calabrese was ecstatic upon learning of the state funding.
“The generosity of the state and our district 36 representatives in helping to fund this much needed project with $15 million is simply amazing,” he said. “The funding sharply reduces the burden on our taxpayers and will help to fund an essential project for our town.”
The $15 million will be used towards the construction of a new 57,500 square foot recreation-education center slated for construction at 207 Edgewater Road and adjoining borough-owned property.
In Dec. 2019, the bought purchased the Edgewater Road property – at the intersection of Edgewater Road and Lindberg Ave. near the library - from Congregation Beth Israel for $2.5 million.
The project will include a large gymnasium, a media-center/library, a large lunchroom, and about 20 full classrooms for students and various offices for school officials.
For the past several years, the growing school district has been forced to use at least 20 modular classrooms on the ground of School 5 and School 3 for students because of overcrowding. The borough is hopeful the added expense to the school district for leasing classrooms will end.
Under the plan, the borough plans to lease a large portion of the complex to the school district.
“Ultimately, this not only will provide an improved environment for our school children but also help taxpayers,” Calabrese said.
Additionally, there will be about 80 parking spaces on a pair of large decks that will be accessible on Lindberg Ave. to help alleviate difficulties for residents when they visit either borough hall or the library.
“Lack of parking for our residents coming to either borough hall or the library has been a terrible problem, and this will end it,” the mayor said.
