Congressman Pledges to Help Montclair Acquire Social Security Building

Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen (R-11) stopped by Montclair’s municipal building on Monday and told local officials he will do everything he can to help the township acquire the former Social Security Office Building sitting vacant on Bloomfield Avenue.  

“You want the building and we’ll see what we can do to get it. ... It is a pivotal building,” said Frelinghuysen to Montclair Mayor Robert Jackson, First Ward Councilor William Hurlock and Township Manager Marc Dashield in the mayor’s office Monday.

The fate of the Social Security building, located in the heart of Montclair's business district at 386 Bloomfield Ave., has been been an ongoing debate since it was determined to be “surplus” property by the federal government on Jan. 18.

In February, the council officially announced its interest in developing the property.   

As of now, the U.S. General Services Administration will decide what will be done with the downtown building.

According to federal statutes, the building will first be offered as a homeless shelter to interested parties until about mid-April. If no applications are received or proposals approved within that time, the property will be offered to the township.

Jackson called the federal process “backwards.” 

“We’re [Montclair] the last guy on the pecking order,” said Jackson. “That seems to me to be convoluted. ... I think we’ve seen that local government knows best."

Frelinghuysen said to Montclair officials that he sent a letter to the General Services Administration in February and has since been in communication with the federal agency regarding Montclair’s interest in the building. 

The Congressman said helping the township acquire the 3rd-Ward building will be a joint effort with Montclair’s other Congressman, Rep. Donald Payne Jr. (D-10).

Frelinghuysen said he expected to receive a response from the General Services Administration “relatively soon.” 

Frelinghuysen's 11th District now includes part of Montclair after congressional redistricting last year. In addition, population shifts in 2010 Census caused the New Jersey delegation to the House of Representatives to shrink from 13 to 12. 

Jackson said he hoped “more visionary heads prevail" so that the township can acquire the vacant building. 

He added that if Montclair could get the building, it could be developed into office space, some of which could be offered to homeless organizations.

In March, the council reported local homeless organizations and houses of worship were not interested in taking over the building. Instead, the council to fund care for the homeless through 2013 and pledged additional funds in the future. 

The possibility of the space being used as a homeless shelter has also been rejected by both township councilors and residents.