By Peter Elacqua
Staff Writer
MARLBORO – The site of the former Marlboro State Psychiatric Hospital on Route 520 near Conover Road has mostly been cleared of the buildings that once housed patients, doctors, administrators and offices.
Now Marlboro officials are waiting for a plan from Monmouth County to convert the 411-parcel into a county park.
Peter Simon, of the state Department of Treasury, recently said there is an active waste water treatment facility and related buildings remaining on the tract.
“The state intends to demolish these remaining buildings once alternative utility service can be arranged,” he said. “We do not have an estimated completion date at this time.”
The hospital property is expected to be turned over to Monmouth County after the demolition work has been completed.
The psychiatric hospital operated from 1931-98, when the state shut the facility. The 100 or so buildings on the property deteriorated and the area lured thrill-seekers, wildlife and criminals. Individuals who entered the site illegally did so in an attempt to steal copper wiring and other materials from the decaying structures.