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Ridgewood council approves mesh barrier for Hudson Street garage top deck to deter climbers
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Summary
The Ridgewood Village Council approved a consent‑agenda change order to install a prefabricated metal mesh barrier on the Hudson Street garage fourth‑floor deck after vetting materials and safety tests; fabrication is expected to take 6–8 weeks with installation following within about a month.
The Ridgewood Village Council on Dec. 10 approved a contract change order to install a prefabricated metal mesh safety barrier on the fourth‑floor deck of the Hudson Street parking garage to deter climbing and reduce safety risks.
Village Manager Keith told the council the administration vetted multiple material options — wrought iron, chain link, cable rail and aluminum railings — and selected a metal mesh after architects and the original contractor, Epic, validated that the mesh and mounting system would withstand wind shear and not damage precast wall panels. Keith said the panels will be prefabricated, and crews will use x‑ray scanning of precast panels to avoid embedded cables, a technical step that contributes to the project’s cost.
"The metal mesh was selected, and the layout of the individual mountings ... will be prefabricated, which goes to the cost we discussed last week," Keith said during his report. He estimated six to eight weeks for fabrication and about a month for installation after materials arrive.
Councilmembers who asked about liability were told a legal adviser referenced the New Jersey Tort Claims Act, explaining that a municipality that has become aware of a safety issue and taken reasonable remedial steps can rely on statutory immunities. The legal respondent cautioned that no measure makes a structure completely hazard‑free but said the barrier will strengthen the municipality’s position if an incident occurs.
Several councilmembers praised the mockups and the outreach to nearby stakeholders. "I think the mock ups are excellent and give us a real clear picture," one councilmember said, noting minimal visual impact from the street. Another added that the village’s architect and the original contractor concluded the recommendation was the best way to ensure stability and safety.
The change order was included in a broad consent agenda that the council adopted by roll call. The manager said the work would address activity concentrated on the top floor, where police and security had observed gatherings that raised safety concerns.
Next steps: fabrication will begin after contract execution; the manager expects installation to be completed within two to three months from material approval and delivery.
