Council accepts $600K bid for Bennett Street building
BY CLARE MARIE CELANO Staff Writer

FREEHOLD - An old school which most recently served as the headquarters of the Freehold Borough Police Department is expected to get a new life. Borough officials have taken steps to sell the building on Bennett Street to U.S. Property Group, LLC, of Englishtown.

Most of the proceeds of the sale are expected to be forwarded to the Freehold Borough School District, accord ing to municipal officials.

The U.S. Property Group has bid $600,000 for the circa 1909 building which totals 12,180 square feet.

The Bennett Street building has been vacant since the police department moved to new facilities in the RugMill Towers on Jackson Street five years ago. Borough officials have said they are looking forward to seeing the old school go on the tax rolls.

A resolution was unanimously approved at the Borough Council's meeting on Feb. 19 to accept the only bid that was received for the aging but historic building which sits on a 1.35-acre parcel at the corner of Bennett and Hudson streets.

According to Borough Administrator Joseph Bellina, U.S. Property Group plans to redevelop the building that has held an important place in the history of the borough.

The building was the original Freehold High School from the time of its construction in the first decade of the 20th century until 1926 when a new high school was built on Broadway. The Bennett Street building was then home to elementary school and intermediate school pupils until the late 1960s.

The police department moved into the building in 1970 and stayed until the new headquarters in the redeveloped rug mill opened.

Because of the historic nature of the building, a redevelopment plan for the

property cited certain stipulations which had to be adhered to for any

prospective buyer to even

get in the running for the

property. Permitted uses

for the building include

professional offices, a

daycare center, a performing

arts studio, a

martial arts studio or a

yoga facility.

The historic appearance of the existing building must be incorporated into any additions that may be made to it. The council's resolution states that U.S Property Group's proposal and offer to develop the property in accordance with the redevelopment requirements is "in the best interest of the borough and will create a significant tax ratable without having a negative impact on the town's infrastructures and services or on the surrounding residential neighborhood."

Bellina said Todd Bernstein, one of the principals of U.S. Property Group, is aware of what is required at this particular location. He said although Bernstein is not quite sure what the use of the building will be, he is "well aware of the permitted uses." Bellina said he will be meeting with Bernstein to discuss the development of the property.

"We will also be scheduling an informal meeting with residents in the area to introduce the new owner and to talk about future plans for the building," Bellina said.