BY DAN NEWMAN
Staff Writer
HAZLET — Following a collapsed ceiling that forced the shutdown of the Hazlet municipal building almost four months ago, a plan for a new structure on the same site is coming closer to reality.
Pending the outcome of remaining geotechnical and environmental tests along with tests for hazardous materials, such as asbestos, a new two-story structure will be built on the existing site at 319 Middle Road.
Testing at the site that has already been completed has come back negative, paving the way for a new building to replace the one that was condemned following an office ceiling collapse March 31. Municipal offices have been temporarily relocated to the Cullen Center at 1776 Union Ave.
"As long as everything comes back OK as far as the testing goes, we fully intend to put the new building on that site," Township Committeeman Scott Aagre said.
The new building should be completed around January 2006, will be 16,000 square feet and will cost approximately $5 million. The Township Committee approved a $500,000 bond ordinance to cover the costs of the testing last month. The ordinance was passed because the municipal budget for the year has not been adopted yet.
Although plans for a new building had been discussed previously, the committee realizes that it must either repair the already-damaged building, or build a new one.
Instead of repairing the current 45-year-old building, members of the committee said it would make more sense starting from scratch, assuming that the site can handle the weight of a two-story structure.
"If we were to try and repair the same building, it may cost just as much money as it would to get a brand new building," Deputy Mayor Michael Sachs said. "It just makes better sense to go ahead and start from scratch."
Bids for the Middle Road building’s demolition will be opened Aug. 2. The township’s goal is to have the demolition completed by the first week of September, said Township Administrator Margaret Margiotta.