Historic Building In Moorestown May Be Demolished

MOORESTOWN, NJ — The building standing at 334 Chestnut Avenue in Moorestown — which was built in 1889 and has some historic significance due to its location — may come down, minutes of the Moorestown Appearance Committee indicated.

George Matteo, a representative for building owner Levins Group, told the Moorestown Appearance Committee in May that the group would like to tear the structure down and build two, perhaps three, properties on the site.

However, Matteo has also told the committee that the entity would be "open to an alternate path" besides demolition.

The building's location on Chester Avenue gives it the distinction of being considered "a gateway to the township and the historical heart of Moorestown," the committee said in May.

Thus, the building is a "contributing structure to the historic district of Moorestown," the committee also said.

Some committee members, at its May and June meetings, indicated they would like to see the building saved.

However, the committee "is also pragmatic and understands that if a property is structurally unsound and a blight to the community that demolition is the best course of action."

If a non-profit entity could be established, or if Moorestown Township bought the property, grant funding of up to $750,000 may be available, Dorothy Guzzo of New Jersey's Historic Trust told the committee at its June meeting.

The committee unanimously voted to place a 180-day stay on the group's demolition permit at that June meeting.

When Patch asked for an update on the fate of the building on July 21, a spokesperson for Moorestown's Community Development Department said "if efforts to preserve the property are not successful, the property owner will have an option to demolish the property in October."

The spokesperson added that "the township is not proposing to purchase the property."

The next meeting of the Moorestown Township Council is scheduled for Monday at 7 p.m. at Town Hall, and the next meeting of the Moorestown Appearance Committee is scheduled for Aug. 17 at 7 p.m. at the Township Library.

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