Old Police Station Remodel Project In The Works For Mendham

MENDHAM, NJ — Progress is being made on the future repurposing project of the now-vacant police station at 3 Cherry Lane in the township.

Last fall Mayor Nick Monaghan appointed former deputy mayor Tom Baio and committeewoman Amalia Duarte to brainstorm ideas for repurposing the old police station building, rather than just tearing it down.

Project leaders Baio and Duarte held two resident listening sessions to hear different perspectives and ideas for repurposing the space in order to better gauge the community's reaction to the repurposed building.

A survey was also distributed throughout the township, asking residents if they wanted to proceed with the repurposing project.

According to Duarte, nearly 70 percent of the community members who responded to the survey voted in favor of redesigning the space as a community center of some kind.

"We had two listening sessions and some of the response that we got there, specifically, was around doing programming for seniors. So there are some residents in town who already, outside of what our recreation director is doing, who are also doing some programming," Duarte said.

The township previously stated that the committee was interested in investigating the possibility of repurposing the police station because Mendham lacks a public community center. The Brookside Community Club, the community's main gathering place, is a private, non-profit organization.

At a recent committee meeting, Duarte stated that she had been looking into the finances to possibly fund an interior renovation project to make the building more conducive to holding community events.

"When you walk into the old police station there is a counter and there is a wall, so potentially opening up that space… We did get quotes on doing that and fixing the flooring," Duarte said.

Other suggestions for the space were made by both residents and the committee, including a local history museum, a studio for Mendham TV or other nonprofit organizations, and a space for local classes and workshops.

Duarte said she is meeting Monaghan in the coming weeks to discuss a more formal plan, which will then be shared with the community at an upcoming meeting.