Published 9:05pm  Credit: Glen Frieson  Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. Credit: Glen Frieson WEST ORANGE, NJ - Last week, Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. announced that plans have already been set in place for the county to construct a 500-space parking garage facility at Essex County South Mountain Recreation Complex in West Orange. The facility will provide additional on-site parking for visitors coming to the many attractions in the complex and alleviate the amount of cars that are parking in neighboring lots, in the nearby reservation and on the street. Construction costs are expected to be $12,030,000 which will be funded through the Essex County Capital Budget. It is scheduled to be completed in the spring of 2015. Essex County South Mountain Recreation Complex Named after South Mountain Reservation, the complex is home to:
When the number of visitors at the complex soars, cars are directed to park in nearby business parking lots, on the grass archery field off of Cherry Lane in South Mountain Reservation and on local streets around the zoo. The county administration believes that, as the attractions in the Recreation Complex have become more popular, available parking has become insufficient. Current Parking The complex currently includes:
With work already started on the parking facility's foundation, a ceremonial groundbreaking with the county executive was held on Tuesday, July 22. He was joined for the occasion by visiting government officials and county employees including New Jersey Assemblywoman Sheila Oliver, Essex County Deputy Chief of Staff William Payne, Essex County Sheriff Armando Fontoura, Essex County Recreation and Open Space Trust Fund Advisory Board President Lori Tanner, Essex County Freeholder Vice President Patricia Sebold and Leonard Luciano and West Orange Councilman Jerry Guarino. In addition, Lorrie Sciabarasi and Greg Comito from Greg Comito and Associates, the facility design team, and Donald Dinallo from Terminal Construction Corporation, the builders, were also present for the occasion.  Credit: Glen Frieson From left: Essex County Deputy Chief of Staff William Payne, West Orange Councilman Jerry Guarino, Essex County Recreation and Open Space Trust Fund Advisory Board President Lori Tanner, Lorrie Sciabarasi and Greg Comito from Greg Comito and Associates, Essex County Sheriff Armando Fontoura, Freeholder Vice President Patricia Sebold, Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr., Freeholder Leonard Luciano, Essex County Turtle Back Zoo Director Brint Spencer, Assemblywoman Sheila Oliver and Terminal Construction representative Donald Dinallo “Our programs are expanding rapidly,” Spencer said.  Credit: Glen Frieson The new five-story facility will accommodate approximately 500 cars; it will be located in the surface parking lot between Turtle Back Zoo and Codey Arena. There will be a stairwell as well as elevator access close to the zoo and arena for visitors who park in the new garage. To enhance traffic control on Northfield Avenue, a traffic signal will be installed at the western end of the arena. “With Turtle Back Zoo as our anchor and new attractions The popularity of the attractions at the recreation complex has outpaced its parking needs. In addition, McLoone’s Boathouse Restaurant and the new walkway around the Orange Reservoir also have been magnets for people attracted to the complex. Attendance records in 2013 at the complex are as follows:
“It’s a great feeling to see all the people who come here.  Credit: Glen Frieson Greg Comito and Associates from Newark were awarded a $388,000 contract to design the parking facility. Terminal Construction from Wood-Ridge, NJ, was awarded a publicly bid contract for $11,642,000 to construct the parking facility. The Essex County Department of Public Works will monitor the project and answer questions to ensure delays are avoided. The combined costs come to $12,030,000 which will be funded through the Essex County Capital Budget. It is scheduled to be completed in the spring of 2015. "Building this parking structure is a massive undertaking  Further Information Essex County County Executive: Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. 465 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard Newark, NJ 07102 973-621-4400 Website The Essex County Park System was created in 1895 and is the first county park system established in the United States. The Park System consists of more than 6,000 acres and has 22 parks, five reservations, an environmental center, a zoo, Treetop Adventure Course, ice skating rink, roller skating rink, three public golf courses, golf driving range, two miniature golf courses, three off-leash dog facilities, a castle and the Presby Memorial Iris Gardens.
Comments are closed.
|
Archives
September 2021
Categories
All
|
RSS Feed