Riverdale passes 2027 budget and considers ‘classy’ cigar lounge

On July 28, the Riverdale village board met for a special meeting before the regular board meeting to discuss an ordinance adopting the combined annual budget and appropriation of funds for the 2027 fiscal year. The proposed ordinance was approved during the regular meeting. Trustees adopted a tentative budget of $31,626,742 in total estimated revenue.

Zoning for a cigar lounge

Trustees voted to send an application for a cigar lounge at 11 W. 144th St. back to the zoning board in time for its August 20 meeting, requesting it be rezoned for conditional use. The property, which is in the B-3 general commercial district, is not currently zoned for commercial use. The zoning board of appeals previously reviewed an amendment to its application, resulting in a 1-1 vote; the rezoning request was denied before heading to the village board.

The proposed business would be a cigar lounge called “ONE44”. “Not a traditional cigar lounge”, said co-owner Nakia Cloud, who also does communications and public relations work around the Southland, it would be an exclusive multi-level facility, with age limits on attendance, augmented with on-site barbers, a healthcare clinic, and non-alcoholic beverages.

Cloud and co-owner Chris Milliner expressed the desire to bring health resources to the facility from their co-owned healthcare clinic. It would offer a positive spotlight on Riverdale and the Southland, Cloud said. “It’s not a nightclub by any definition. It’s an opportunity to bring something classy. It’s an opportunity to bring something that brings economic growth to the community.” 

The owners have also committed to local hiring and “a livable wage,” having circulated a petition to garner support from residents, Cloud said. “We’re actually here because Riverdale deserved to have something that we can be proud of,” said Cloud.

Trustee Katherine Bourné recommended the board work with the owners to ensure all of their concerns about the space would be addressed following the zoning board’s decision.

Public comment

Abandoned homes, potholes, shrubbery, and alleys in need of repair were among chief concerns from residents. Trustees acknowledged financial strains to manage upkeep but maintained that progress has been made even if it has been slow.

“It’s in the same process that it’s always been in. The alleys are being taken care of now with residents’ tax dollars,” said a village engineer Chuck Hodges. “They’re being improved with grant dollars, and there’s a process to securing rights.” Riverdale is requesting additional dollars through grant applications.

“I think I do a pretty good job taking care of my own property, but everything around me is nasty,” said Laurice Foster, a 20-year-resident. “The garbage cans that’s sitting outside…but you guys [are] writing a ticket for a car that’s parked, that’s not bothering nobody,” she said.

“But you’re not writing a ticket for the people that’s not doing what they’re supposed to do on their property.” Even though she reports issues to law enforcement, little is being done about it, Foster said.

Acting mayor Cassandra Riley-Pinkney herself lives next to an abandoned home, she said, adding identifying owners and reactivating homes to generate tax revenue to address quality-of-life issues is a key priority. In 2025, lawn care services cost the village an estimated $200,000, Riley-Pinkney said.

Swearing in of new police sergeant 

The board sworn in Police Sergeant Robert Hauselton. He was hired in 2021 as part of a pilot program of lateral hires at the Riverdale Police Department. Hauselton, the first promotion from a program designed to recruit experienced officers from other agencies to come to Riverdale, holds over 10 years of policing experience. “I think he’s an excellent addition to the department,” said Police Chief Mark Kozeluh. “Highly recommend him for promotion, and hope to work with him and work together and help him come up to the ranks.”