Rumson opts to build new borough hall
Architect: Cost of new construction half that of rehab
BY LAYLI WHYTE
Staff Writer

Architect's rendering of the new Rumson Memorial Borough Hall.

RUMSON - Despite some mixed reactions by residents about the planned demolition and rebuilding of Memorial Borough Hall, Rumson officials say it would be more expensive to renovate the current municipal building to current building codes.

Frank Tomaino, borough architect, said at a special meeting on plans for borough hall last week at Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School that renovation of the more than 100-year-old building could cost twice as much as demolition and new construction.

He explained that the borough did a cost analysis comparing the two options, and found that a renovation would mean interrupted services and the added cost of a temporary space. By the time it was finished to bring the building up to code, the structure would have more or less been rebuilt completely anyway, he said.

"If we plan to build new," Tomaino said, "we can properly construct a new building with the employees staying in borough hall until the new building is completed."

The plan for the new Borough Hall would include incorporation of the existing Charles S. Callman Courthouse. A new structure, about the same size as the existing borough hall, would be constructed to the east of the courthouse, in the current parking lot. The two buildings would be connected by a covered walkway.

Tomaino said that the plan for new construction would allow more design flexibility, eliminate the cost for temporary space, and would permit tighter specifications when the project goes out to bid.

The plans for a $5.5 million project to construct a new borough hall would mean an additional $136 in taxes for the average household in the borough, according to Councilman Sean Broderick, chair of the finance committee.

Broderick said that the borough would bond for the project funding, anticipating a 25-year bond at a 4.1 percent interest rate.

Rumson has 2,577 households and businesses, and the average home in the borough is assessed at just under $1.1 million.

Broderick said he does not anticipate an increase in the borough tax rate, and that there has not been an increase for municipal taxes for borough residents in a few years.

"This is a good time to bond," he said, "because we're in a low-interest environment. It's an excellent time to borrow. It's a good time to build, when builders are slow. We think we'll get some lower bids for the project."

The plan calls for the new borough hall to look like the existing one from the exterior, because Mayor John E. Ekdahl said the council was very aware of the affection residents have for the building.

Ekdahl said that in addition to the outside of the building being designed similar to the existing structure, the borough is planning to use whatever interior materials that are suitable, such as the wooden paneling from the former council chamber, which is currently used for special council meetings and committee meetings.

Despite this concession from the borough, Michael Steinhorn, president of the Historic Preservation Society, said that he was displeased with what he considers the lack of appreciation for historical buildings by the borough.

"Why does the town have no protection for older buildings?" he asked.

Steinhorn asked if borough officials had spoken with borough Historian George Moss about the plans for the new borough hall.

"I have spoken with George," replied Ekdahl, "and my understanding is that he supports the new construction plan."

"That's very fitting," said Steinhorn, "considering he's done nothing to protect historic buildings in Rumson."

Kenneth Kalmis, an architectural historian with Cultural Resource Consulting Group, Highland Park, was hired by the borough to determine the historical integrity of Memorial Borough Hall.

Memorial Borough Hall was given as a gift to the borough in 1927 by then-Mayor W. Warren Barbour. The building had been his home.

"There have been extensive renovations since the borough took over the building in 1929," Kalmis said. "I found that the building does not retain historical integrity in the design, materials or craftsmanship."

Kalmis said he came to this determination by examining the basement, first and second floors of the building, as well as the exterior, and that he found that the building does not meet the requirements for historic buildings set

by the National Register of Historic Places.

He said that in order for a building to be considered historic by those criteria, it must be historically significant because of an event that took place on the property, a person who once resided on the property, architectural design, or what it may yield archeologically.

"The building was constructed prior to 1900," said Tomaino. "To continue to use it as a borough hall is inappropriate. There is no historical significance there. What we would have is a lot of challenges if we tried to renovate it. All of the systems need to be replaced."

Hollis Colquhoun, Bingham Avenue, former president of the borough's Historic Preservation Commission, asked if the borough had spoken to a professional who specialized in the renovation and restoration of older buildings.

Ekdahl said that they had not, and that with renovations, the problems that may come up during the process are unpredictable.

"That's why it's a good idea to talk with someone who knows something about it," replied Colquhoun.

Danielle Richmond said after the meeting that there should be more public meetings before the Borough Council takes action.

"It feels like it's a done deal," she said. "They're saying it's up to the council. People are just so disheartened. I think this will just gut the center heart of our town. I don't think they realize how this building adds to the character of this town and the little sense of history this town has left. It's about what you value, and if you valued the building, you'd find a way to keep it."

Tomaino said that the new building would be less than five feet higher than the existing building, and that height increase is due only to the need for installation of an up-to-date heating and air conditioning system.

The new layout for the borough property would have 24 parking spaces in front and to the side of the courthouse for people on borough business, and parking in the back for borough employees.

The entrance to the property would be moved from its present location on East River Road to be opposite Lakeside Avenue, Tomaino said, in order to mitigate traffic safety issues.

The new borough hall would have an elevator in the center of the building, and would be compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

The basement of the building will be finished, and Ekdahl said that space would be used for either the police department or the department of public works.

Tomaino said that because of the increased requirement by the state for municipalities to keep records for an extended period of time, there is also an increased need for storage space that the current borough hall cannot offer.

The new building would allow for storage on the third floor, as well as other spaces throughout the building.

Ekdahl said that the plans are likely to be finalized by the end of the month, and that the next step would be to put the project out for public bid.

Ekdahl said that because it is being done by the borough, it is exempt from having to file an application for development with the borough's planning and zoning boards.