A Small City in Suburban New Jersey Plans for its Future

Alexis Shanes reports on a master plan process underway in Ridgewood, New Jersey, which is encountering questions about whether the plan should be tailored to younger or older populations.

"An early draft of the village’s new master plan sparked concerns this week from some leaders and residents about maintaining the village’s identity and raised worries about whether the village is doing enough to recruit younger residents," explains Shanes. An earlier article from February, also by Shanes, focused on the plan's impact on older residents.

Also challenging the process is the core mission of the process to maintain the village feel of Ridgewood, while also allowing for growth and transformation already underway. "The Hudson Street parking garage is under construction, as is multi-family housing downtown," according to Shanes. "The town’s beloved public library is expected to undergo renovations costing millions of dollars. Some old houses are being torn down to make way for modern ones."