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General Information

• SHOPPING
• TRANSPORTATION
• GOVERNMENTAL SERVICES
• SENIOR CITIZEN SERVICES
• HUMAN SERVICES
• CLUBS AND COMMUNITY ACTIVITY
• IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS

SHOPPING

West New York is in an urban enterprise zone with a sales tax of only 3.5%.  Several small stores are located on Park Avenue, a short block west of Riviera Towers. These include grocery, fruit and vegetable stores, a pharmacy, shoe repair, liquor, food, restaurants, and a variety of other small stores.

Bergenline Avenue, about seven blocks west of RT, is the main shopping area of West New York. Jewelry, clothing, sporting goods, health food, medical supplies stores are located on this avenue, in addition to a myriad of small stores and eating places. There are several municipal parking lots for shoppers on or just off Bergenline Avenue. Continuing west to Kennedy Boulevard and Tonnelle Avenue (Routes 1&9), there are additional shopping areas, including larger retail and home improvement stores, such as Lowes, Home Depot, and Target.

Edgewater Commons, a shopping mall with Pathmark and Target as anchor stores and numerous other stores such as Barnes & Noble, Staples, Bed, Bath and Beyond, is located less than 3 miles north of Riviera Towers on River Road.  There is also a large Japanese supermarket and shopping complex north of Edgewater Commons.  South of Edgewater Commons is the City Place upscale mall.  A large multiplex cinema is located south of Edgewater Commons. There is also a triplex movie theater at the Galaxy apartment complex, just north of RT.

Both Transport of New Jersey and municipal senior citizen buses run from the vicinity of Riviera Towers to certain malls for the convenience of shoppers.

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Public transportation to Manhattan is by bus along Boulevard East to the Port Authority Bus Terminal at 42nd Street.  There is a bus stop directly across from the Riviera Towers entrance.  New Jersey Transit is the primary bus service. Other private "van" (or bus) services at approximately the same price may be the choice of some.  Return from New York City is from the Bus Terminal or, in the case of "vans", from 42nd Street near the Bus Terminal.

Bus service along Boulevard East and Park Avenue connects to communities south of Riviera Towers, including Weehawken, Union City, Hoboken, and Jersey City; and north to Fort Lee and other locations in Bergen County. Information about New Jersey Transit buses can be obtained by calling 1‑800‑772‑2222.  Academy buses run on Boulevard East to Hoboken and the Path terminal in Hoboken, which provides  “subway” type service to the lower area of Manhattan and as far north as 34th Street.

There is a scheduled rush hour bus service on Boulevard East that provides a connection to the New York Waterway ferry service across the Hudson River with a free connection loop bus service in Manhattan.  Ferry service is more expensive, but is preferred by some because of its immunity from traffic delays, and because it is more colorful.  Ferries run approximately every 10 to 15 minutes from about 6:25 a.m. to 1 a.m.  Ferry information and schedules may be obtained by calling 1‑800‑53FERRY.  Most ferries arrive at West 38th Street ferry slips and there are less frequent ferries to Slip 5 at Whitehall Street.  There is a very large ferry parking lot (with a parking fee) accessible from Pershing Road (at 48th St & Boulevard East) or from River Road, just south of Riviera Towers.

The Lincoln Tunnel is about two miles south of Riviera Towers.  Just north of the tunnel entrance, you can connect to Route 495 which will take you to Route 3, Routes 1 and 9, and the New Jersey Turnpike.  The George Washington Bridge is located about seven miles north of RT and can be reached from River Road or local roads.

Transportation to the airports (Newark, Kennedy, and LaGuardia) is available from major taxi services, usually at a fixed fee and also by bus from the Bus Terminal in NYC at 42nd St. 

Senior citizen reduced fares are available on buses and the ferry. For those who use the New York City bus and subway system, discount Metro cards are available.

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West New York Town Hall, which houses the municipality’s administrative offices, police department, and municipal court, is located approximately five blocks west of Riviera Towers on 60th Street, near Bergenline Avenue. The West New York Public Library is also located on 60th Street, just across the street from Town Hall. Several Hudson County libraries honor the West New York lending card; the closest other location is the North Bergen Library at 81st St and Bergenline Avenue. For a complete listing, refer to the Blue Pages of the local telephone book.

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A West New York “senior bus” schedule is posted on the Riviera Towers main bulletin board.  The bus moves all around West New York, covering virtually all areas and stops in front of RT.  Twice weekly trips are made to the ShopRite and Pathmark Supermarkets, and some trips are also made to local malls Currently, trips are made to Edgewater Commons, Garden State Plaza, Mill Creek (Home Depot), Newport, and Bergen Malls.  Senior transportation to hospitals, doctors’ offices, or similar medical facilities is also available.

Hudson Hall, at 6018 Hudson Avenue, a few blocks west of RT, offers senior activities such as movies, bingo, and Tai Chi.  Senior lunches are available at very low cost.   

The Town of West New York sponsors various senior trips to the theatre, sporting events, Atlantic City and to a number of other places. 

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"FIRST CALL FOR HELP" is a program funded through the United Way of Hudson County (201-434‑2628) that provides information and referral, as well as describing volunteer opportunities.

The following are some of the services that are offered by various agencies:

• Adult and Senior Citizens services  
• Alcoholism, drug abuse and gambling
• Children and youth services
• Consumer Assistance
• Emergency and disaster service
• Employment and Training
• Family and individual services
• Financial assistance programs
• Foreign born services
• Handicapped services
• Health Services
• Housing
• Information
• Legal Services
• Mental Health
• Recreation
• Veterans services
• Volunteer Services
• Special programs

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Riviera Towers encourages activities that enhance community spirit among residents.  RT functions include the December holiday party, a Halloween party for children, and an end of pool season party.

If there is a demand for an activity, a club or class may be formed.  The RT Book club has been in existence for many years. Yoga and Pilates classes and movie presentations are regularly held in the RT large community room on Concourse Level “C”.

Gatherings for purely social purposes among residents are also encouraged. The small community room on Concourse Level “C” and the pool deck are available for such purposes.

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POLICE, FIRE, EMS, Ambulance:   911  
Be sure to identify apartment

Please also NOTIFY CONCIERGE   201-869-0858
After calling 911

Other Important or Interesting Numbers

See phone book for other public listings.

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