Residents and members of the Fort Lee Cooperative and Condominium Association (FLCCA) talked about the Centuria project, taxes, and other borough issues with Mayor Mark Sokolich at a town hall meeting at the Fort Lee Library Aug 6. It was standing room only as Marvin Rothenberg, secretary and treasurer of FLCCA, addressed the audience.

"State aid and municipal tax relief might be [$500,000] short because Fort Lee cooperatives were rated as apartments," said Rothenberg. "We’re checking with the [Bergen County] Department of Community Affairs to see if we can get some of that money back."

Rothenberg then introduced Howard Patricot, board committee member of the Royal Buckingham condominium and a member of FLCCA.

"During a storm July 13, the Buckingham’s transformer caught fire," said Patricot. "We were without power for 10 days."

Patricot said all the wiring for the transformer was destroyed and nobody was able to access the backup equipment that was sealed inside the building. Two backup generators were brought in.

Most residents were unaware of the incident but Sokolich was pleased with the borough’s response.

"Seeing the fire department, police department, and the Office of Emergency Management work together as one to get the situation under control was a proud moment for me," said Sokolich. "We really have the best emergency responders."

Sokolich then addressed the Centuria project.

"Town & Country (T&C) still owns Centuria but they can no longer develop the property," Sokolich said. "Tucker Development, a national retailer, already purchased one of the lots and is very interested in meeting Fort Lee’s vision of Centuria. Once those bricks touch the ground, that’s it. That’s why we chose not to go with T&C."

Sokolich said Centuria should include fine restaurants and retail outlets that appeal to Fort Lee residents.

"We also want a safe place for residents to convene at night," Sokolich said.

The mayor informed residents that 75 percent of the $600,000 T&C owed in backed taxes would be wired to the borough this week.

One woman asked if Centuria would have rented apartments or condominiums on the property.

"We plan on building more condominiums than rentals, but it depends on the real estate market," Sokolich said. "We also have our attorney looking into the possibility of imposing limits on the types of retail businesses that can open in any given area. If you look at Main Street, I’m sure you can fill in the blanks."

Another resident said the business districts of Montclair and Englewood were superior to Fort Lee and asked Sokolich what he was doing to ensure Fort Lee would improve its business district.

"I’ve been here 45 years and Fort Lee was always the place to be," Sokolich said. "We had the highest home values and we were at the top of the pinnacle when those other towns were struggling. You couldn’t drive through some of those towns back then. That’s why the revitalization plan and committee can make a difference. One of our committee members was also part of the Englewood Revitalization Committee."

One woman asked why the borough should build a large retail complex if the economy is struggling and companies are going out of business.

"We can’t wait. Now is the time to build," Sokolich said.

Sokolich said the borough’s sign committee, which was created for the purpose of ensuring that business owners comply with the borough’s sign ordinance, will help Main Street begin the revitalization process while Centuria is developed.

"Now any business that wants a new sign must go through the committee," Sokolich said. "We wanted businesses to use English lettering in 50 percent of their facade but there may be constitutional ramifications. We can’t enforce it, but most business owners have agreed anyway. Only one business owner didn’t agree, but I’m working on him."