Old factory to become warehouses

Former factory on Half Acre Road to be demolished.

By: Josh Appelbaum
   The Rockefeller Group Development Corp. is demolishing two buildings at the former Carter-Wallace pharmaceutical factory on Half Acre Road to make way for the construction of more than 800,000 square feet of warehouse space in the commercial district’s foreign trade zone.
   The new construction will expand the amount of warehouse and office space on the property to a little more than a million square feet.
   Princeton-based Church & Dwight, makers of Arm and Hammer household and personal care products, will take up residence in the existing 36,000-square-foot Carter building and also will occupy a new 131,448-square-foot building to be built at the site, according to Steven Barcan, a lawyer representing Rock-Cranbury, Rockefeller Development Co.’s construction entity for the project.
   Rock-Cranbury also is constructing a new 682,846- square-foot warehouse and reconfiguring parking at the site to allow for 120 spaces for employees. There also is an existing 160,185-square- foot building on the site. Rock-Cranbury hopes to find tenants for both buildings.
   Sandra Manley, Rockefeller Group’s assistant vice president for corporate communications, said the complex will fall within the duty-free foreign trade zone, which runs from Prospect Plains Road to Station Road along the N.J. Turnpike.
   Imported goods at companies located in foreign trade zones are treated as if those facilities were located outside the United States for customs purposes. Companies save money on distribution because they pay a duty only on goods sent to their vendors.
   Preliminary approval for the site plan was granted by the Planning Board on Sept. 9.
   However, final approval is dependent upon the Environmental Commission’s findings on whether the site contains any wetlands. If wetlands are found, additional wetlands buffers may be needed and a new site plan would have to be submitted to the Planning Board, as per regulations of the state Department of Environmental Protection.
   Township Engineer Cathy Marcelli said Rock-Cranbury has been testing debris from demolition to make sure asbestos is not present on the site. It also tested tiles and floor drains for asbestos and other harmful materials.