Elizabeth Mayor Chris Bollwage and Paramus Mayor Rich LaBarbiera, along with other New Jersey Mayors representing municipalities with large indoor mall operations, today asked Governor Philip D. Murphy to consider allowing malls to re-open as soon as possible under the previously announced Stage 2 Restart and Recovery plan.

Joining Mayor Bollwage and Mayor LaBarbiera to advance the re-opening of indoor malls and shopping facilities were Mayor Matthew Moench (Bridgewater), Mayor Chris Vergano (Wayne) and Mayor John E. McCormac (Woodbridge).

Paramus Mayor LaBarbiera, where Paramus Park, Bergen Town Center and NJ’s largest mall, Westfield Garden State Plaza are located, said, “We commend and appreciate the leadership of the Administration during these most difficult times. We are encouraged by the ongoing steps to reopen businesses and hope that malls too can reopen on June 15.”

According to Mayor Bollwage, “Jersey Gardens provides millions of dollars in revenue to the City while providing for hundreds of jobs for our residents.”

Bridgewater Mayor Matthew Moench added, “We have been unable to collect revenue associated with our profit sharing with the Bridgewater Commons which will result in higher property taxes and more financial burden on our residents.”

“Willowbrook Mall is the largest taxpayer in our community and having them closed for so long is hurting our economy severely,” said Mayor Vergano of Wayne.

According to Mayor McCormac, “Woodbridge Center Mall, one of New Jersey’s largest indoor malls can provide for proper social distancing which will keep patrons and employees safe.”

The Stage 2 Restart and Recovery plan calls for the re-opening of outdoor restaurants, bars and non-essential stores on June 15.  Additionally, Stage 2 allows for hair salons and barber shops to re-open on June 22 along with other already announced openings that include outdoor activities such as no-contact organized sports, daycare facilities (June 22), youth day camps and municipal recreation operations (July 6).