OLD MELRAYS LOCATION HITS THE MARKET
Ridge Road furniture retailer for decades, now commercial property for purchase!
Multiple dwelling apartments become the preferred mode of redevelopment with Fitzhenry and Sheedy in-charge.
NORTH ARLINGTON – Melrays, the longtime anchor retailer along Ridge Road is now for sale as the changing face of the community continues.
Probably one of the most exclusive and sought after locales, it will be interesting to see what kind of tenant takes over that lucrative space.
Ripco Investment Sales is marketing the structure (www.ripcony.com) as a commercial investment opportunity.
Republican incumbents Brian Fitzhenry and Allison Sheedy, both seeking reelection to another term of office have made no public comment on the property to date.
Under the 7-0, all-Republican Mayor & Council there has been a strong and aggressive effort to welcome more and more apartment dwellings along Ridge Road that have changed the landscape of North Arlington.
Currently, two major apartment projects have been constructed with several more on the drawing board with a plethora of even more units expanding to Schuyler Avenue, River Road and the Belleville Turnpike. 
According to state campaign filings (ELEC), the local GOP organization has actively solicited donations to their political club and campaign committees. Builders, out-of-town developers, contractors and other real estate interests have become a primary funding source for their campaign operations.
Many believe this plethora of unbridled redevelopment along Ridge Road will result in increased population, more density, traffic and stress on essential municipal services and local public schools as to an increase in pupil enrollment.
Democratic council candidates have stated they believe this transformation of North Arlington from a suburban gateway to Bergen County to what they refer to as an extension of Hudson County is the long term wrong path for the borough. 
Some online critics of the local Republicans are now comparing Ridge Road to Bergenline Avenue in Union City, in terms of traffic and the overall urbanization of Bergen County’s southernmost municipality.
Some have speculated that the old Italian Villa structure will be demolished soon, making way for even more apartments, a proposal that has longtime residents understandably concerned.
Candidates John Balwierczak and John Yampaglia, the first Democrats to organize a serious and effective alternative to both Fitzhenry and Sheedy since 2016 seek to break the all-Republican, 7-0 stranglehold on local government.
“We’re facing a political monopoly and monologue led by Fitzhenry and Sheedy. We believe a healthy mix of Democrats and Republicans best serves North Arlington regardless of one’s political persuasion. Having two incumbents who don’t engage the public or canvass our neighborhoods is a deterioration of our grass roots democracy. We seek a second pair of eyes, an alternative voice that defends the notion that North Arlington remains small, safe and suburban. That protecting our community values makes sense to the hundreds of residents we have met and continue to engage on a day to day basis. Keeping North Arlington first and politics second is what is on the minds of the voters we meet each and every day,” offered the hopefuls.
“Stop by the North Arlington Post Office and meet us to discuss the issues you really want to talk about. North Arlington deserves an honest and open discussion and we aim to offer that kind of campaign to voters,” offered Balwierczak, a first-time candidate and former Republican who is a longtime resident and graduate of North Arlington High School. 
Democrats table every Saturday from 9AM to noon at the Ridge Park Drive location just off Ridge Road.