Sayegh administration giving $2 million to Paterson Parking Authority for Ward Street garage project
By Paterson Times Staff
Published: August 30, 2021
Mayor Andre Sayegh’s administration is giving $2 million to the Paterson Parking Authority for the demolition of the obsolete Ward Street garage and the construction of a new parking deck at the site.
Funds being directed to the garage project come from the extra $4.7 million in transitional aid Paterson received from the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA).
Paterson is also guaranteeing $32 million in notes the Paterson Parking Authority intends to issue via the Passaic County Improvement Authority for the garage project. If the Paterson Parking Authority defaults on the $32 million bond both the city of Paterson and the Passaic County Improvement Authority will be on the hook to make investors whole.
The Paterson Parking Authority is bonding to monetize $30.5 million tax credits it received for the project from the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (EDA) in 2018. At the time, Tony Perez, director for the Paterson Parking Authority, had estimated construction would begin in 2019 and the garage would be completed by May 2020.
Perez did not respond to a call for comment for this story.
Council president Maritza Davila said the Covid-19 pandemic hindered the Paterson Parking Authority from securing financing for the project.
“It is unfortunate that right when they were closing the pandemic hit and they were not able to close on their loan,” said Davila on August 17.
The existing 735-parking-space garage on the almost two-acre site at 169 Ward Street will be demolished to make way for a new nine-story, 940-space parking structure with 2,500 square feet of street level retail, according to public records.
Members of the City Council granted preliminary approval to the guaranty ordinance on August 17. A public hearing and final vote is scheduled for September 14.