Despite opposition from residents on the 1600 block of 74th Court, an empty lot has been approved for use as a village-owned parking lot.
At its meeting Aug. 17, the Elmwood Park Village Board approved rezoning of the lot at 1612 N. 74th Court to a general business district and approved a special use permit to build the parking lot.
Elmwood Park Trustee Angelo Lollino, who owns the restaurant Massa on North Avenue around the corner from the proposed lot, abstained from voting on the proposal.
Village officials say the goal is to provide additional parking for people who go to the businesses in that area, which some refer to as “restaurant row.”
Elmwood Park Village President Angelo “Skip” Saviano said acquiring the land to create more parking was good for the village.
More Top Picks Best Zero Gravity Massage Chairs For Seniors
“This is going to be a big improvement, to provide parking behind restaurant row,” Saviano said.
The parking lot will be located at the south end of 74th Court, across an alley from Massa, Inari Sushi, Cafe Cubano and other restaurants. The lot formerly held a house, which was purchased by the village for $110,000 and demolished in February.
Elmwood Park Village Manager Paul Volpe said construction of the parking lot probably won’t begin until 2016, but it’ll be a boon for the neighborhood.
“It’s a great thing,” he said. “It’s one of the most meaningful steps this village could’ve taken in years.”
Since the house’s demolition, people on the 1600 block of 74th Court have fought against the site becoming a parking lot, saying it should have stayed a home.
Elaine and Fred Norden, who live on the block, led the charge to get neighbors involved in protesting the village’s plans to put a parking lot there.
Although they were unable to change the Village Board’s mind on the issue, they believe it has made village officials more sensitive to the needs of its residents.
Elaine said in a statement she plans to keep an eye out on how things progress in regards to the parking lot. She believes it has transformed into a much bigger issue.
“It’s about how Elmwood Park residents are treated in the governmental process, because today it’s the parking lot affecting our block, but what will it be tomorrow and who will be affected?” Norden said. “I hope Elmwood Park residents are paying attention and are prepared to demand greater transparency and accountability from the mayor, Village Board and Economic Development Committee members.”
Marian Araneta, 61, who says she’s lived in her home on 1600 block of 74th Court since 1989, was upset to only find out the house was be demolished when demolition crews began tearing it down.
Now Araneta just wants the village to make sure that the problems of the businesses on North Avenue don’t spill over to her block.
“I’m concerned about my neighbors and I want the [parking lot] clean and free of garbage and safe for the kids,” she said.
Rudy Bahena Jr., 22, says he’s lived next door to where the house once stood and the new parking lot will be located since 1999. He believes the Village Board had their mind made up about the parking lot, despite protest from residents on that block.
“I’m not surprised,” he said. “We’re a bunch of peasants. They won’t listen to us.”
He pointed out that the fencing placed around the empty lot hasn’t been maintained. He fears that will be the status quo once the parking lot is in place.
“It already looks nasty,” he said, pointing at the weeds in the lot. “People were supposed to clean it up. If you can’t maintain an empty lot, how are you going to maintain a parking lot?”
Elaine Norden said she’s the proud of the way neighbors on the block stepped up. She says she’ll still keep an eye on how things progress with the lot.
“Only time will tell if the whole thing was worth it,” she said.
Twitter: @DavidDPollard
More Top Picks Ohio Stoneware Vs Humble House Fermentation Crocks