Input Wanted From Residents On Repurposing Mendham Police Station

MENDHAM, NJ — While construction on the new Mendham Township Police Department facility continues, Mayor Nick Monaghan has appointed Deputy Mayor Tom Baio and Committeewoman Amalia Duarte to brainstorm ideas for repurposing the current police station.

The new station, which will be located at 4 West Main Street, is part of an ongoing larger renovation project that will also include the Town Hall, municipal offices and the library.

The project's contractor, J.R. Contracting and Environmental Consulting, has been tasked with building the new police station on the land that previously housed a split-level converted house.

The old station will temporarily house Township staff after the police department moves into their new headquarters on West Main Street in the coming weeks so that the municipal building can be renovated, officials said.

However, once the staff has been relocated, the old police station has the potential for reuse, which is why Duarte and Baio are seeking assistance. They have reached out to the public for suggestions for the repurposed space.

The options that Duarte and Baio have already come up with include, a gathering spot for social activities, a meeting space, a local history museum, a studio for Mendham TV or other nonprofit groups, or a space for classes and workshops.

Residents are urged to voice their opinions and propose something new for the area, or to vote on one of the suggested options.

"Please take the Police Station Reuse Survey and let us know how you would like the station used in the future," officials said.

The police station renovation project has been in the works since the Township Committee approved a resolution in August 2021 authorizing Wayne-based contractor J.R. Contracting and Environmental Consulting Inc. to build a new police station.