West Windsor officials move to raze three township properties

The Nierenberg house dates back to the mid-1800s

By: Courtney Gross
   WEST WINDSOR — After conducting an inventory of township-owned properties, the administration is anticipating three buildings will be razed — one dating back to the 1800s.
   The township owns a total of 16 buildings. Of the three targeted for demolition, two are farmhouses and in serious disrepair, township officials said.
   At Monday’s Township Council meeting, some of the properties were discussed and a majority of the governing body gave the go-ahead to explore razing at least one: the longstanding Nierenberg house in Community Park.
   The inventory is part of a "preliminary needs analysis" done by the administration that the council will be reviewing in the next several months, township officials said. The report, completed last week, makes recommendations for renovations to properties that could be included in future capital budgets.
   "Here’s what we got," Business Administrator Christopher Marion said to the council at Monday’s meeting. "Now, what do we want to do?"
   Some properties, council members said, cannot be saved.
   A majority of council members agreed the Nierenberg house, a two-story wood structure built in the mid-1800s, should be demolished. The exception was Councilman Franc Gambatese, who said the old farmhouse has historical value.
   Mr. Gambatese said the township should try to preserve buildings that are part of West Windsor’s historical character.
   "Why can they do it in Princeton?" Mr. Gambatese asked. "Why can they do it in Cranbury? How come they can save these buildings and we can’t?"
   The Nierenberg house was used as a storage facility for sports organizations in the township, according to the report.
   Because the structure has become a safety concern, township officials said Monday, a notice was given to those using the building mandating they remove all equipment. The notice, issued earlier this month, took effect Aug. 18, township officials said.
   An issue raised during the preliminary discussion on the properties is the township’s ability to lease some of the vacant, historical structures to businesses that could privately renovate at no cost to the township in order to preserve some of the township’s historical integrity.
   Councilwoman Barbara Pfeifer said it was unlikely a business would make such a hefty investment, because some of the properties are in serious disrepair.
   Other officials agreed. It can be very difficult to bring a residential property, like the Nierenberg house, up to code for a commercial use, officials said. Low ceilings and narrow hallways could inhibit the transformation, but, Mr. Marion added, it could be something to consider.
   According to the report, the other two buildings the township is considering razing are the Crawford Woods House, a 60-year-old wood structure on Montgomery Street, and the Censoni House, a two-story wood structure from the early 1900s on Everett Drive.
   The council also discussed several township buildings that are leased to other public agencies — leases that are very outdated.
   The lease given to the West Windsor-Plainsboro Board of Education for the Wallace Road bus garage has not been updated since 1991, township officials said. The garage is located at the intersection of Princeton-Hightstown Road, Cranbury Road and Wallace Road.
   Other properties listed in the report have recommendations for repairs, such as incorporating additional storage space at the municipal police and court building and expanding the senior center.
   According to the needs analysis, the township public works complex off Southfield Road is in need of a backup generator and the addition of a vehicle wash-down and water recovery area to meet state Department of Environmental Protection standards.
   Though it is unclear if funding will be allocated for the recommended renovations, officials said it is important the township has a tangible report.
   "We have never had an organized list of what we own," Mr. Marion said Monday.