The Elmwood Park Village Board has taken the first step toward creating a North and Harlem Avenue Business District.
The proposed business district stretches along Harlem Avenue from North to Bloomingdale Avenue, and along North Avenue from Harlem to 75th Court.
Elmwood Park Trustee Jonathan Zivojnovic said he believes getting the designation for that area, which includes various restaurants, would be a good idea.
“I think it’s going to be a good thing and it starts the ball rolling toward the creation of a business district,” he said at the July 6 Village Board meeting.
Among other ideas, the plan suggests widening alleys behind businesses along North Avenue, since people often drive to the area and use the alleys to get around rather than trying to merge onto North Avenue.
Other ideas involve acquiring land in the area, rehabbing buildings, improving the water and sewer system and installing new lighting and parking. The plan also explains how the business district could pay for these improvements through a special tax if the village votes in favor of the plan.
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The plan estimates a $15 million bill to make the improvements to the area.
“We could impose a little percentage of tax and only use it in that district,” he said. “Say if want to dress up the area around North and Harlem, with the money from the tax we can do that.”
One of the plan’s goals is to make sure businesses in the area remain competitive and grow. The plan suggests turning some of the one-way streets into two-way thoroughfares and developing more parking in the area. At the same time, the plan says the village wants to protect the integrity of the residential neighborhood north and west of the proposed business district.
The plan also recommends improving the main intersection at 75th Avenue and North Avenue by installing a traffic signal there.
Elmwood Park Trustee Angelo Lollino, who owns the restaurant Massa in the proposed business district, believes restaurants and other businesses in that area would benefit from the new designation.
“I think it’s good for economic development and I think the area needs the help,” he said.
The business district plan is available to be viewed by residents at the village clerk’s office at Village Hall.
A public hearing has been scheduled for 7 p.m. Aug. 3 at Village Hall to get community input on the idea of turning the area into a business district.
Twitter: @DavidDPollard