Residents raise concerns after retaining wall collapses in Ridgefield Park
Ring camera footage captured the moment the wall gave way shortly after 11:30 p.m., sending debris into a parking area below and startling neighbors.
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Residents in Ridgefield Park are waiting to learn whether a roadway above an apartment complex is safe after a retaining wall collapsed late Tuesday night at an apartment complex.
Ring camera footage captured the moment the wall gave way shortly after 11:30 p.m., sending debris into a parking area below and startling neighbors.
Residents described hearing a loud bang and feeling their buildings shake as the wall collapsed. No injuries were reported, and residents say it was fortunate that no cars or people were in the area at the time.
"It was kind of frightening, because it was less than a minute that my son moved the car, maybe 30 seconds, and it was scary, said resident Stacy Vercelli.
Neighbors say they had raised concerns about the condition of the wall for years and had contacted property management about the issue.
"The town knew, and Scott Court knew about it, said resident Tom Vercelli. "Obviously, I guess the Scott Court didn't know, didn't think that it would ever get to this, but the town has been on them to repair the wall."
Following the incident, Overlook Avenue above the apartment complex was deemed unsafe. Residents say parking restrictions have affected access to parts of the area and created challenges for some homeowners who have electric vehicles and need to charge them.
Some residents are also concerned about emergency vehicle access should first responders need to reach homes nearby.
"We are worried that God forbid emergency vehicles has to come down here," Tom Vercelli added. "God forbid anybody's house ever went on fire. Can the fire trucks come down our block?"
Residents are now awaiting the results of an engineer’s report that will determine the condition of the roadway and what steps may be needed moving forward.
