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Local businesses and developers tell Tenafly council project could revive downtown
Summary
Representatives of the Tenafly downtown business committee, the chamber and several local business owners urged the council to approve the redevelopment amendment, arguing the project would increase foot traffic, reduce storefront vacancies and support small businesses.
Members of the Tenafly Downtown Business Committee and the chamber of commerce spoke in support of the redevelopment proposal for the Clinton Inn site, describing the project as a potential anchor for downtown economic activity.
Shepherd Krinker, identifying himself as a member of the downtown business committee and the Tenafly Chamber of Commerce board, read letters from both groups urging the council to advance the project and saying the "Awakened project is a necessary step forward" to address vacancies and stimulate retail foot traffic. He said the downtown currently struggles to stay open in the evening and that nearby towns have benefited from mixed-use redevelopment.
Jonathan Krieger, one of the developers, emphasized local ties: he said his team had stepped in after earlier plans for the site would have left the parcel in poor condition and that the project was designed to provide an anchor market and amenity uses to support nearby retailers. Developers also said they are not seeking tax abatement or pilot programs and cited consultations with a tax assessor to estimate the project's fiscal contribution.
Proponents asked the council to use the redevelopment agreement to lock in stronger stormwater, design and affordability commitments than the base code would require, arguing contractual protections would preserve community benefits even if the site later transferred to another owner.
