MARLBORO — State Assemblyman Declan O’Scanlon (R-Monmouth and Mercer), in his role as a member of the Assembly’s Statehouse Commission, announced on March 19 that Marlboro officials will have an additional three months to negotiate with the state to re-acquire the more than 400 acres of property known as the Marlboro State Psychiatric Hospital.
“It’s the right thing to do,” O’Scanlon said. “The township could use this property as public land, as a park or a cultural center. If they need an extension to make that work, I’m happy to advocate for that.”
The hospital property, on Route 520, is currently owned by the state. The hospital was built in 1933 and closed in 1998. For the last 10 years it has remained vacant. Marlboro originally had six months to negotiate with the state, but on March 16 the Statehouse Commission agreed to extend the time limit.
“I am pleased that through the assemblyman’s efforts, the committee granted us an extension of time to continue our negotiations,” Marlboro Mayor Jonathan Hornik said. “The acquisition and redevelopment of the Marlboro State Psychiatric Hospital property is an important part of Marlboro’s future. We have been working very hard on this transaction with the state and while there is still much work that needs to be done, I am hopeful that we will be able to put a transaction together that will allow Marlboro residents to best use this property.”
According to a press release from O’Scanlon, Hornik and the Township Council are working toward environmental remediation for the site, and are considering several private firms with which they may be able to negotiate a contract that would cost the taxpayers nothing, and provide the firm with development rights. The press release quotes Hornik as saying that deal is only in the preliminary stages and that officials are looking at several firms to do the job.
“When you’re trying to reach an agreement between two government agencies,” said O’Scanlon, “both of which are trying to get the best for the taxpayers, it can take some time. I’m hopeful, though, that an additional three months will help them get there, or close. I believe that the commission will be open to a further extension if there is progress on the project. The state should be encouraging just this type of public-private partnership when we are dealing with the disposition of public lands.”
O’Scanlon, along with his fellow 12th District legislators, Assemblywoman Caroline Casagrande and state Sen. Jennifer Beck, also introduced bills to their respective legislative houses in January that would appropriate $2.8 million in Clean Water Funds for sewage infrastructure improvements at the hospital site to maintain its value and viability going forward, according to the release.

