Purchase Authorized For Historic Post Office In Morristown

MORRISTOWN, NJ — Morristown has officially approved a $3 million bid to purchase the century-old United States Post Office, a deteriorating historic facility on the Morristown Green.

The purchase has been in the works for several years and was finally and unanimously approved by the council on Tuesday night during their meeting.

Six months of "due diligence" will be performed by consultants, which will include a feasibility study for potential uses of the building, as well as environmental and structural analyses, according to the council.

"Until that due diligence period is over we do have the option to decide not to move forward with the purchase of the building but our intent with the six-month due diligence period is simply to allow us the opportunity to evaluate the building… and any other considerations that we need to do before we move forward with the purchase," town Administrator Jillian Barrick said.

According to a previously approved ordinance, the town intends to relocate certain municipal operations there, and the Postal Service, which owns the building at 1 Morris Street, intends to lease back a portion of the first floor as part of the agreement.

Following the findings of the due diligence period, the administration will return to the council and seek approval on a bond sale to close the purchase deal, according to Barrick.

"Until we pass a bond ordinance we won't have the funds authorized to execute the contract and close on the building," Barrick said.

Read related: $3M Bid For Morristown Post Office Building In The Works

Morristown has received over $600,000 in grant money for the purchase from the Morris County Historic Preservation Trust Fund, including a $480,000 award in 2020 and a $160,000 award last year.

The two grants will be used to pay for the building's acquisition, leaving the question of financing the renovations open. The facility, built in 1916, lacks central air conditioning, and Mayor Tim Dougherty previously estimated that the building requires around $2 million in renovations.

"We are certainly moving forward but we have several steps in order to go before we actually acquire and complete the acquisition of the building," Barrick said.