The company’s plan could affect adjacent redevelopment project
By: Nick Norlen
WEST WINDSOR An application for a building expansion at Schlumberger’s Princeton Technology Center will now move on to the Planning Board after approval was granted by West Windsor’s Site Plan Review Advisory Board on Monday.
In recent months, its Wallace Road location, directly across from the Princeton Junction train station, has made the Schlumberger building a key part of a series of plans including one to move the building proposed by Hillier Architecture for the redevelopment of the area surrounding the station.
Hillier Senior Designer Bradley Walters said the most recent proposal by Hillier is to use the Schlumberger lot to build a mixed-used commercial building or "low-scale residential uses."
The change, which he said would give a "better shape to the public space," would rearrange, rather than add to, the layout of construction on the site.
Schlumberger’s current plans entail adding a second floor to the facility’s existing 10,000 square feet, board Vice Chairman Ted Begun said after the meeting Monday.
Schlumberger General Manager Jay Russell said his company has been planning the addition, which he said will be used for offices to provide a "higher quality of work space," for a few years.
"We’ve been doubling up quite a bit," he said.
That need for space was also cited by Mr. Walters, who said Hillier Architecture has had discussions with Schlumberger officials, including Mr. Russell, about how the site could factor into redevelopment plans.
"We know, at some point, whether it’s in five years or 10 year or 20 years, that site probably won’t be big enough for them," he said. "That’s part of the reason, on their side, why they’re willing to talk."
He said Schlumberger’s current application won’t necessarily affect a future move.
"We talked to them about deferring this work," he said. "The fact is, they’re growing and they need (the space). It still doesn’t change the equation with them leaving or staying. It leaves a lot of options open for us and for them, frankly."
According to Mr. Walters, those options include relocating the company to the township-owned property, pursuing "opportunities for land swaps within the redevelopment zone" or "outright purchase."
He added, "I think we’re more interested in one of the first two options. We want to make sure they feel like they have a home in town," he said. "That’s why we’ve created a plan that allows them to stay or move."
Nevertheless, Mr. Walters said, Hillier prefers the latter.
"We think the plan gets a little better … if we can relocate them," he said.
Mr. Russell addressed the proposed move Thursday.
"We’ve been here coming up on 60 years," he said. "We’d actually prefer for here to be on Wallace Road. But we’re open to anything."
Mr. Russell said his biggest concern is "continuity" relocating without disruption but that there are many factors he will have to discuss with corporate officials.
"On the Schlumberger side, we have to have continuous operation. On the township side, there’s got to be a significant cost to not just relocate us, but other businesses in this zone," he said. "I’m pretty open to listening to what the options are. If somehow we could accomplish a move without disrupting my operation, I’m willing to listen."
Mr. Russell said the ball is now in the court of the township and Hillier to show Schlumberger specific plans.
Regardless of whether Schlumberger agrees to a move or not, Mr. Walters said Hillier Architecture is planning to present a flexible plan to the Township Council and Planning Board on June 4.
"The plan and densities they’re not an all or nothing (proposal)," he said. "We’re not holding to any particular program as a given. We have a whole bunch of options in the works."