Locals businesses say the increase in foot traffic from the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail would be good for business.
ENGLEWOOD -- With a push to finally get the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail rolling into Bergen County, locals and officials say the plan would be a boom for the city.
This past fall, legislators gathered in Hackensack to promote a plan to advance the long-stalled Bergen route in the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail, thanks to dedicated funding from the 23 cent gas tax.
While the plan is still years away, local businesses said trains rolling through downtown would benefit their bottom line.
"It would bring something lively to Englewood," said Ralph Morel, owner of Aylward's 2 Health Foods. "Something that draws people to shop."
Morel said established chains like Victoria's Secret and Wendy's, names that drew shoppers downtown, recently shut down, causing a decrease in foot traffic. On Palisade Avenue, the main thoroughfare, numerous shops appear vacant with space available signs hanging on the windows.
When the nearby Bergen Performing Arts Center holds shows, customers wander in, Morel cited as an example of what the increase in foot traffic from the light rail would bring to the city.
Englewood Hospital and Medical Center, one of the largest employers in the county with over 2,000 employees, said the plan would be so beneficial to its operation that they are willing to partner and build a parking lot for the light rail, which would end at the hospital.
"We are fully committed to furthering discussions with NJ Transit and the City of Englewood on developing a shared parking facility and safe pedestrian access that would integrate the needs of the medical center with NJ Transit's needs for parking along the proposed light rail line," Michael Pietrowicz, Senior Vice President for Planning and Program Development, said in statement late last year.
The Bergen County extension is estimated to bring about 20,000 daily riders along the the proposed nine additional stops.
Englewood Mayor Frank Huttle III, a strong proponent of the project, did not respond to repeated requests for comment.
"Fundamental to how we live, how we work, and how we create jobs is transportation," Huttle previously told NJ Advance Media. "Just look at what the light rail has done for Jersey City and Hoboken."
But not everyone is on board with the project. Councilman Eugene Skurnick echoed the same worries as Tenafly, which fought the project and altered its route.
"We get all the traffic from northern Bergen County going through the towns," said Skurnick. "I don't want the whole Northern Valley using us as a parking lot."
Skurnick said the city's transportation needs are adequately served by a one-seat bus that goes into New York City or via NJ Transit in nearby Hackensack.
Yuri Carcich, the general manager of Blow Beauty Bar, said the light rail would provide a lot of good foot traffic.
"It would be easier for me to get to work," said the Hudson County resident. "I'd rather take the train then pay to drive on the Turnpike."
Fausto Giovanny Pinto may be reached at fpinto@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @FGPreporting. Find NJ.com on Facebook.