West Windsor will be responsible for the code renovations, and the arts council will be responsible for any internal improvement to turn the building into a functioning arts center
By: Greg Forester
WEST WINDSOR An environmental study of the Princeton Junction Firehouse property has been completed, and now the structure can be brought up to code for use as the new home of the West Windsor Arts Council, township officials said Thursday.
The environmental study looked for contamination from underground storage tanks and other toxic-related issues common to some fire department facilities that would have required attention before the township begins renovation work on the building, Mayor Shing-Fu Hsueh said.
Jim Foran Architects has also been commissioned by the township to evaluate the building and come up with specifications needed to bring the building up to code, which will then be put out to bid.
Work on the structure is expected be completed by late 2007 or early 2008.
As per an agreement with the township, West Windsor will be responsible for the code renovations, and the arts council will be responsible for any internal improvement to turn the building into a functioning arts center, Business Administrator Christopher Marion said.
Township officials said they plan on continuing to work with Executive Director Eduardo Garcia and the board members of the non-profit to make sure renovations that could benefit their use of the building are made by the township, Mr. Marion said.
"We meet regularly with them to keep them in the loop," said Mr. Marion. "We are all looking forward to working of them and seeing them move into their new building."
Arts council members currently use space in local schools and the public library along with an amphitheater adjacent to the Nassau Park Pavilion shopping center, but they plan on moving some of their programs, classes, and performances into their new location sometime in 2008.
Township officials said they were happy to begin using some of the funds appropriated earlier in the year for the firehouse work.
"Finally there is a budget approved to bring the entire building up to code, and once we finish that we can turn it over to the arts council," said Mayor Shing-Fu Hsueh. "We have completed the environmental study, and they will have it once the building meets the township’s basic structure requirements."
In April of this year, Township Council approved $350,000 in capital expenditures to be earmarked for the structure and the commissioning of an architect to develop specifications on what needs to be done to the building, situated on Alexander Road in Berrien City.
The arts council has continued to operate as they wait for their new home, and is obligated to hold at least three performances a year because of a funding agreement, according to Mayor Hsueh.
With Developers Diversified Realty, the realty company behind the Nassau Park Pavilion development, contributing roughly $30,000 annually to the non-profit group, the arts council provides the three performances annually at the Nassau Park amphitheater.