Ridgewood Targeting Habernickel Opening in October Despite Contractor's Woes

After suffering major fiscal woes, Oakland-based R. Vernieri Contractor Inc. is no longer involved in the , village officials said Tuesday.

Despite the project's contractor going belly up and in the process of auctioning assets, work at Habernickel should continue uninterrupted, according to Village Manager Ken Gabbert.

Gabbert said separate contractors will be taking over various elements of the project after the village issued an order of defiance on Aug. 8 to R. Vernieri.

Work performed by R. Vernieri had abruptly stopped this summer, prompting Ridgewood to take legal action. The situation should not impact the village financially, Gabbert said.

R. Vernieri did not respond to requests for comment.

Procured with a series of Open Space grants in 2004 for $7 million, the  to a recreation facility includes numerous upgrades, including a new parking lot, walking path, playground, and a transformation of a grass field — currently used for youth soccer, golf clinics and lacrosse — into a mixed-use field with 100 yards of multi-purpose space, as well as the 60-foot baseball diamond.

The project in the last few years. Ridgewood is targeting a ribbon cutting on Oct. 21, Gabbert said.

A "punch list" containing 15 items, including the fertilization of the field, fencing and the removal of tools must still be completed, he said. Wood at the playground must also be replaced.

Bergen County Superior Court Judge Michael Koppelman ordered the assets of the contractor be auctioned off, records show. The auction will take place in Wayne at AJ Willner Auction Yard on Sept. 11.