Schlumberger would consider relocation

Firm’s cooperation could facilitate West Windsor redevelopment effort

By: Greg Forester
   WEST WINDSOR — As West Windsor grapples with the future of the train station area, officials from a key business in the redevelopment zone said they would be open to discussions about relocating.
   During Wednesday’s Planning Board meeting, Schlumberger Technology Corp. General Manager Jay Russell said his company wants to remain in West Windsor, but it would be willing to discuss moving from its current location across Wallace Road from the train station.
   While Mr. Russell was transferred to one of Schlumberger’s operations in France shortly after making comments at the meeting, his replacement, Nicholas Picault, said the company remained in full agreement with everything said at Wednesday’s meeting.
   "We are going to continue to communicate about this matter further in the future," Mr. Picault said.
   Redevelopment planner RMJM Hillier has targeted portions of the project on the very site where the Schlumberger building now sits, so Wednesday’s statements during the Planning Board meeting shed some light on the multimillion-dollar "Schlumberger question".
   Schlumberger attorney Dan Haggerty declined to make any firm commitment Wednesday, but said the company was always willing to enter into discussions with the township about the redevelopment process.
   West Windsor Mayor Shing-Fu Hsueh said he was optimistic about working out a solution with Schlumberger and its place within the redevelopment plans.
   "They made their position clear, that they were willing to discuss and work out something that will be win-win for both parties," said Mayor Hsueh. "We have a pretty good relationship with them in the township, and we have made it clear we will continue to discuss their relationship to the redevelopment."
   The township has been in discussion with many of the property owners in the 350-acre redevelopment area around the train station, according to Mayor Hsueh.
   "We have made it clear to all of them that the use of eminent domain will be our last resort," Mayor Hsueh said.
   Some township officials remain skeptical about the potential relocation of the Schlumberger complex, at a prime location because it is close to the station platforms.
   "This is a facility located right in the center of town, and you have to ask yourself if that is the best use of that location," said Councilman Charles Morgan. "The best thing for West Windsor would be for them to move, but I don’t believe that is in their best interest."
   The township is in the midst of looking at dates for the next joint Planning Board-Township Council meeting, planned to follow up on questions raised about information presented at the June 4 meeting.
   RMJM Hillier representatives, including founder J. Robert Hillier, presented variations on some of the original plans, featuring reduced numbers of housing from the original 1,000-unit proposal.
   While some of the Hillier plans were created with the proviso of the Schlumberger property remaining as it is today, the company’s willingness to consider relocating could have a major effect on the final outcome of the project.
   Some plans included the possibility of including one of the centerpieces of the project, a central park area, on the current site of the Schlumberger building.
   Whatever happens, the township will have to address the location of the building in final plans for the redevelopment.
   "It is unfortunate that this accident of location is what it is," Mr. Morgan said.
   Schlumberger did receive approval for some changes to its property — unrelated to the redevelopment project — at Wednesday’s meeting.
   The company received unanimous approval for an 11,351-square-foot addition to the second floor of the Princeton Technology Center building, in addition to some other small additions.
   The company also agreed to construct some site improvements in the form of sidewalks along Wallace Road and Route 571, work that fits in with the township’s desire for the county road to become West Windsor’s main street.