By John Burton
SHREWSBURY – While the Borough Council considers what to do with the historic Wardell House, something has to be done to keep it from deteriorating any further.
The council will shortly be advertising for competitive bids to do some immediate work on the borough-owned structure, portions of which date back to the late 17th century, preparing it, to some extent, for the coming winter and protect it from any additional damage from the elements.
The structure sits on the town-owned property that is home to the municipal complex and police headquarters, at 419 Sycamore Ave. It is on one of the borough’s historic Four Corners, in the distinguished company of Christ Church, the Presbyterian Church, the Quaker Meeting House and the Allen House. The Four Corners site is a national and state designated historic district.
Mayor Donald Burden said the building has become increasingly run-down, steadily sustaining water damage, which is exacerbating the structure’s damage. “It is deteriorating so rapidly,” Burden said.
The council had previously commissioned Red Bank architect Matthew Cronin to evaluate what can be done at this juncture to stall the damage. The building had had its roof replaced in recent years. But, Cronin, explained, the siding on portions of the building and on the dormers are starting to give way, leaving it increasingly vulnerable to weather.
Cronin is recommending repairing or replacing six dormers as well as installing new windows. “It looks like they would get the most bang for their buck doing this to keep the water out of the building,” he said.
SHREWSBURY – While the Borough Council considers what to do with the historic Wardell House, something has to be done to keep it from deteriorating any further.
The council will shortly be advertising for competitive bids to do some immediate work on the borough-owned structure, portions of which date back to the late 17th century, preparing it, to some extent, for the coming winter and protect it from any additional damage from the elements.
The structure sits on the town-owned property that is home to the municipal complex and police headquarters, at 419 Sycamore Ave. It is on one of the borough’s historic Four Corners, in the distinguished company of Christ Church, the Presbyterian Church, the Quaker Meeting House and the Allen House. The Four Corners site is a national and state designated historic district.
Mayor Donald Burden said the building has become increasingly run-down, steadily sustaining water damage, which is exacerbating the structure’s damage. “It is deteriorating so rapidly,” Burden said.
The council had previously commissioned Red Bank architect Matthew Cronin to evaluate what can be done at this juncture to stall the damage. The building had had its roof replaced in recent years. But, Cronin, explained, the siding on portions of the building and on the dormers are starting to give way, leaving it increasingly vulnerable to weather.
Cronin is recommending repairing or replacing six dormers as well as installing new windows. “It looks like they would get the most bang for their buck doing this to keep the water out of the building,” he said.
Cronin would also like to see the building have its water gutters replaced, leader pipes replaced and other “sort of maintenance things,” done.
Burden said it’s premature to talk about price for the work, as the council awaits bids on the project.
Overall, “It looks like it’s structurally sound,” Cronin said of the building.
“I think it’s got a lot of potential,” for future use, the architect observed. When one looks at the building and envisions it prior to the some of the additions that were constructed over the years, one can see, “The rooms and spaces are really grand, beautiful spaces,” Cronin said.
The Wardell House, as it’s become commonly known, has portions that likely date back to prior to the American Revolutionary War. That’s according to Rick Geffken, a local historian, historical journalist and Shrewsbury Historical Society member, who co-authored an updated history of the borough with Burden. He and Monmouth University archeologist Richard Veit explored the structure with Veit estimating the building dates back to the late 1600s.
Burden said it’s premature to talk about price for the work, as the council awaits bids on the project.
Overall, “It looks like it’s structurally sound,” Cronin said of the building.
“I think it’s got a lot of potential,” for future use, the architect observed. When one looks at the building and envisions it prior to the some of the additions that were constructed over the years, one can see, “The rooms and spaces are really grand, beautiful spaces,” Cronin said.
The Wardell House, as it’s become commonly known, has portions that likely date back to prior to the American Revolutionary War. That’s according to Rick Geffken, a local historian, historical journalist and Shrewsbury Historical Society member, who co-authored an updated history of the borough with Burden. He and Monmouth University archeologist Richard Veit explored the structure with Veit estimating the building dates back to the late 1600s.
“It has a long history in that location,” Geffken noted. The Wardell House was added to the National Register of Historic Places in July 1974. Around that time the borough purchased it and its surrounding acres of property from the Meacham family, the owners at the time, and used it as police headquarters and municipal offices.
County government had sought to use the structure as part of the county library system for special project. That idea was abandoned, given the prohibited cost to make the site compliant with requirements for the federal American with Disabilities Act.
In 2011 the site reverted back to borough ownership.
Cronin said this project will start shortly after the bid is accepted to have it completed before any severe winter weather.
The council hasn’t discussed any long term plans for the structure. But Burden said there is a need for additional space meeting space for community activities and he would like to see it restored and used for that purpose. “That would be responding to the needs of the community,” he said.
County government had sought to use the structure as part of the county library system for special project. That idea was abandoned, given the prohibited cost to make the site compliant with requirements for the federal American with Disabilities Act.
In 2011 the site reverted back to borough ownership.
Cronin said this project will start shortly after the bid is accepted to have it completed before any severe winter weather.
The council hasn’t discussed any long term plans for the structure. But Burden said there is a need for additional space meeting space for community activities and he would like to see it restored and used for that purpose. “That would be responding to the needs of the community,” he said.
