For Immediate Release

PRESS CONTACT:    Stuart Brown, Township Manager
                                  (732) 583-4200, ext. 118  

ABERDEEN CEREMONY MARKS COMMENCEMENT OF DEMOLITION OF
SOUTH RIVER METALS BUILDING TO MAKE WAY FOR SENIOR HOUSING

ABERDEEN TOWNSHIP (10/20/06) – At a special ceremony today, the Aberdeen Township Council officially marked the commencement of demolition of the former South River Metals building on Church Street to pave the way for construction of senior housing on the approximately 14-acre site.

“We are pleased to formally launch the process that will redevelop this decayed industrial site into an attractive, well-landscaped property what will ultimately provide approximately 90 affordable rental apartments, a number of market rate units, as well as various amenities for senior citizens,” said Deputy Mayor Wilhemina Gumbs.

Earlier this week, a crew from demolition/scrap recycling contractor Mike Giordano Inc. of Brick Township removed the overhead bridge spanning Church Street that connected the vacant site to a still-active industrial building. “The bridge removal will be followed by demolition of the site’s water tower and then the main building that had previously been partially destroyed by a fire,” said Councilman Vincent Vinci. “Altogether, we expect the project to take about four to six weeks, at which time we will erect a permanent fence around the property as a means to protect the public.”

Concurrent with the demolition, an asbestos abatement specialist subcontractor retained by Giordano will remove all asbestos from the buildings. Aberdeen Township Manager Stuart Brown noted that the net cost of the project will be approximately $329,000, including $299,000 for the asbestos removal and $30,000 for industrial hygiene (asbestos monitoring) services. 

“The cost of the demolition itself is essentially covered by the salvage value of steel from that site that Giordano will recycle,” Brown explained. “This compared with a second estimate of $100,000 for the demolition plus approximately $500,000 for the asbestos work. In awarding the contract, we were glad to be able to work with a single, highly experienced source for the demolition, asbestos abatement and scrap recycling phases of this project.”

In the meantime, Icon Environmental, a unit of Township Engineers CME Associates, continues to work with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection to finalize a Phase II cleanup plan for the contaminated site, which had been seized by Aberdeen after the prior owners failed to pay property taxes. The plan is expected to be approved during the first quarter of 2007, paving the way for the commencement of the environmental cleanup and ultimate construction on the site.
 
After breaking off final negotiations with the developer previously designated for the site, the Township Council will shortly begin discussions with other companies interested in acquiring the site. “In the interest of maximizing return on the Township’s investment, we elected to move on and seek proposals from other developers with strong experience in affordable senior housing,” said Mayor David Sobel. “Our professionals agreed that going forward with the necessary demolition and Phase II environmental study would accelerate the redevelopment process and, ultimately, do what’s best for our taxpayers.”     
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