WEST WINDSOR: Eden Family of Services plans move to new Plainsboro site

By Kristine Snodgrass, Staff Writer
    The Eden Family of Services has announced plans to build a new state-of-the-art school in Plainsboro for children diagnosed with autism.
   CEO Carol Markowitz, who has worked for the nonprofit since its founding in 1975, said opportunities at the new site are “phenomenal.”
   ”This is an extremely exciting time for us,” she said. “It’s going to be a great facility when it’s done.”
   The new facility, planned for opening in 2010, will serve children diagnosed with autism aged 3 to 21. On-site Wawa House, Eden’s early intervention program, will serve infants and toddlers.
   It will replace a school, located at Route 1 and Eden Way, that the nonprofit has operated since 1983. It serves 55 students from the surrounding area.
   The current facility no longer meets the needs of the school, Ms. Markowitz said.
   ”We’ve really outgrown it in terms of services we offer,” she said.
   About the same number of students will go to the new school, but its facilities will be improved and tailored to meet their needs, she said. It was designed by architects working closely with staff over the past two years. The school will be built on land at Princeton Forrestal Village purchased from Princeton University. The university intends to purchase the existing Eden property, she said.
   An existing building will house the school, but it will be renovated and added onto, she said.
   The location was chosen for its proximity to local businesses, allowing the students to walk around and “be part of a community,” she said.
   At the school’s current location, students are unable to walk anywhere off the site.
   To provide education in life skills and job skills training, the school will also have model home and office areas and a commercial kitchen with cafeteria. A fully functional mini convenience store will also be built for job skills training.
   The school will have athletic facilities, including a gymnasium, weight room, playing field, fitness trail and half-court basketball court.
   A capital campaign will be launched in the spring to fund the $8 million project.