EAST BRUNSWICK — After years of occasional discussion about the future of a vacant school site, township officials have decided to declare the property surplus so it can be sold or leased.
The McGinnis School, located at the corner of Dunhams Corner Road and Hardenberg Lane, has been vacant for more than two decades. It was last used as a school in 1970s and was subsequently converted into school offices.
Originally, the Township Council’s May 23 agenda called for a discussion only on the matter, but members instead opted to vote on declaring the property surplus. The unanimous vote will enable the council to sell or lease the property, which the township purchased about 12 years ago.
“I’m glad that the Township Council moved on it,” Mayor David Stahl said after the meeting.
The action was a complete turnaround from a 2007 vote against such action. At that time, several residents spoke out against the sale, citing traffic concerns that could be caused by a new commercial owner or tenant, and the loss of overflow parking for the adjacent Warnsdorfer Elementary School.
“I was on the Township Council at the time, and quite frankly, I helped lead the fight,” Stahl said. “As a councilman, I didn’t think I had enough information to make a decision. Frommy perspective, a lot’s changed. We can now move forward and examine in more detail what options are available to the township.”
No residents spoke on the issue at the May 23 meeting.
Councilwoman Nancy Pinkin said some residents have been using the property for Warnsdorfer overflow parking; however, as a resident of that neighborhood, she said she has noticed that fewer residents have been using those spaces lately.
Council members discussed whether the property should be sold or leased. Councilman James Wendell said he was “far more in favor of leasing the property” and creating an ongoing stream of revenue for the township instead of making a one-time revenue infusion through a sale. Pinkin said there were different implications for the township depending on what the council decided.
Regardless, the council agreed that something needed to be done with the property. “It’s a long-term issue that’s been dragging on in the community,” Pinkin said.
“We all can agree that it can’t stay like it is,” said Councilman Michael Hughes, who made the motion to bring the issue to a vote. “This is the first step to making the process work.”
The council is currently coordinating a site visit through Business Administrator Jim White.
Pinkin said after the council meeting that it is important for the officials to view the property to fully determine its current condition and the extent of any environmental damage, such as the presence of asbestos, which Stahl said is possible.
Officials said there are a number of parties interested in using the building, and Pinkin noted that the council is looking for it to be used as a school.
Stahl said that moving ahead with the property makes sense both for the township and for some new organization that can “own that building and give them a stake in East Brunswick,”
“This is a win for everybody,” he said.