By Rebecca Greene (Published in cooperation with the River Road Improvement Corporation and the Fair Lawn Focus)

With cooperative parking and new zoning incentives in place; streetscape improvements and a new parking lot built; and an inventory completed of property available for rent, sale or development; the River Road Improvement Corporation (RRIC) is now ready to actively solicit new business development on River Road.

“We’re ready for all of this to come together,” said RRIC Board member, Arthur Levine. “With River Road as the type of place people want to come, we can focus on attracting new business,” said Levine. But he stressed that this process takes time. “We’re looking at about six to nine months before we have a handle on serious developers.” The RRIC is working actively to inform investors about the many reasons to consider River Road and Fair Lawn for new commercial investments.

Community Bank of Bergen County knows what it takes to make an investment on River Road. They are working on opening their third branch, in the former Carvel building. “The River Road location is centrally located to support our growth and service our growing customer base,” said Marianne Byrne, President of Community Bank, from her branch office in Rochelle Park. We couldn't be more pleased by the reception we've received from local officials and business leaders. “We’re a full service community bank,” said Byrne.

Another bank is eyeing River Road, as well. Commerce Bank is looking at the space across from Ramapo Tire. They are already approved to go on Fair Lawn Avenue at the corner of Saddle River Road (Omar’s). “We’re anxious to see that River Road site developed,” said Robert Landzettel, RRIC Board President and owner of Lazon Paints. “But we would like to learn more about that application from Commerce, when it becomes available, before we offer an opinion.” Commerce Bank has no application into the Planning Board for development at this time, according to Kathy Hochkeppel, Planning Board Secretary. But Commerce Bank has asked the Fair Lawn Borough Council to consider rezoning the area for their use.

The RRIC, based on community surveys and its own Master Plan for the Improvement of River Road, would welcome new retail and service businesses to the area. Landzettel said he thinks the area could use a few more restaurants. “People don’t go to the same restaurants all the time, so the variety would be very good.”

But Landzettel said too much of one kind of business is not what they’re looking for either. This is why they will be relying on the report from Square Foot, a business that recruits developers to match their client’s area. The firm was engaged by the RRIC to help promote investment in the area. “We’re looking for Marta Pearson (Square Foot) to give us a report on her recruitment progress,” said Landzettel. Square Foot’s personnel are working closely with a subcommittee of the RRIC, chaired by former Mayor Bob Gordon, and supported by the RRIC's own project director, Don Smartt.

Meanwhile, the RRIC is keeping their eye on the Home Depot progress in Paterson on Route 20. According to Deborah Hoffmann, Director of Economic Development for Passaic County, Home Depot has received “all of their approvals both from the city and the county”. They are presently in the process of “environmental remediation” or the clean-up of the site. But there is no projected grand opening at this time. “There are many positives when developers come into an area, not the least of them being the tax ratable for the host community,” said Hoffmann. She said the Home Depot will probably raise the visibility of the other stores on River Road, at the very least. “The traffic may prompt more business in the area,” she said. And with the economic slow down all around, more consumers passing by is very positive.

The RRIC is factoring this slow down in their development process. “It could take a developer more than five years to get their project going,” said Levine. “So maybe it’s a good time to take a look at what will fit down the road.”