Edison Hires Engineering Firm To Assess Stelton Building's Future

EDISON, NJ — Edison Township has hired an engineering firm to assess the Stelton Building and study its options, including potential environmental cleanup and demolition, approving a contract of up to $357,000.

The Township Council awarded the contract to Colliers Engineering & Design, based in Mt. Arlington. The firm will determine which parts of the building contain hazardous materials, outline how a cleanup should be carried out and prepare the paperwork needed to put any future demolition work out for public bid. The project also includes a laser scan of the building. Officials said all asbestos in the building must be removed before any demolition can begin.

Colliers already holds an existing engineering contract with the township and submitted the Stelton Building proposal under that agreement.

The township is funding the contract through two existing accounts, splitting the cost between $185,207.79 in one fund and $171,792.21 in another.

The council approved the resolution over the dissenting votes of Council members Asaf Shmuel, Richard Brescher and Ajay Patil.

Council President Joe Coyle said the building was once considered for reuse and some repair work was done with that in mind, but further inspections uncovered new problems that would need to be resolved before the structure could be occupied.

"So we're in between decisions," Coyle said. "However, we have a process to go through before we get there."

Township resident Joseph Romano raised concerns about mold and asbestos in the building and pressed officials on its intended future use.

"You can't put children in that building with those environmental issues," Romano said.

Council Vice President Robert Kentos, who toured the building recently with the township's business administrator, said he has watched its condition worsen over time and believes the township is now taking the right approach.

"This puts everything on the table — from reconditioning the building, attempting to keep some of the structure, or just tearing it down," Kentos said. "In my opinion, it looks like all that's been done to it so far is just stabilized the building so it didn't get any worse. But it looks like this resolution puts all the options on the table for the mayor to make a decision."

Township officials did not release a timeline for the project or details about the future use of the site.

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