Demolition Delayed For Historic Caldwell Library And Borough Hall: Report

CALDWELL, NJ — Caldwell's Borough Hall and historic 1917 public library — currently set for demolition next year — got a stay of execution at a recent council meeting, but the delay probably won't last long, according to a report this week in TAPInto.

(See the specs for the new Caldwell Borough Hall here.)

Because Mayor-Elect Garrett Jones and new council members Darrin Daniolowicz and Kris Brown will take office in the new year, Councilman Henderson Cole introduced a resolution at the Dec. 6 council meeting to delay the demolition of Caldwell Borough Hall and the library for 45 days. However, he said that once new officials are "up to speed" they will likely reach the same conclusions.

The library suffered immense damage (see photo) from Tropical Depression Ida in 2021. While it's an original Carnegie library from 1917, its staff has said it's too damaged to be fixed.

Not everyone agrees. The library had been put on top of a list of most endangered historic sites in New Jersey by Preservation New Jersey this year. READ MORE: One Essex County Building Makes Top 10 'Endangered' NJ Sites List

According to a council resolution, Borough Hall also needs too many upgrades to be restored inexpensively.

Officials at the latest council meeting acknowledged that the delay may cost some money, but still voted unanimously to approve the resolution.

See prior reporting here.