Vacancy Rate Lowest In Years

The vacancy rate in the River Road area is the now the lowest since the River Road Improvement Corporation began tracking it.

According to the improvement district's project manager, Don Smartt, the current vacancy list "reflects four major properties available for development rather then simple sale or lease." He said "the strengthening of River Road has moved to a new stage -- from business recruitment for existing units to the development of new uses and the consolidation of smaller lots."

River Road has become much more vibrant, recently, since immigrants began opening more specialty stores catering to Russian, Israelis, and Hindi-speaking shoppers.

Smartt thinks "the most significant factor in the lower vacancy rate was the easing, but not complete elimination, by the local government of ordinances, fees and reviews which previously inhibited ease of opening for small 'mom and pop' stores."

Edward J. Murphy who has worked with the improvement district for the past several years said that the publication of vacant properties by Fair Lawn News has also made a difference.

An updated listing of available properties will be publiched shortly.