Petition Seeks To Save Morristown Building On Proposed Apartment Site

MORRISTOWN, NJ — Some Morristown residents are trying to save a former electrical supply building on Spring Street, which could be knocked down to clear the way for a five-story apartment building.

Petitioners said the vacant property at 23 Spring Street near Spring Place is "a fine example of industrial design," and "should not be replaced by "another big-box style apartment block."

The building is part of the parcel owned by Scotto Properties, who helped spearhead the massive M Station project. Scotto and SJP Properties have also pitched an adjacent apartment building called M Lofts, which town planner Phil Abramson introduced to Town Council at their May 14 meeting.

The proposed plan for constructing the 150-unit M Lofts would require demolishing the old electrical supply building, as well as two empty houses that sit opposite of Bethel Church of Morristown. Scotto also owns the two residential buildings.

Resident Deborah Ryysylainien started a Change.org petition in March, asking developer SJP Properties and town officials to find an option other than demolishing the electrical supply building. As of Monday afternoon, 235 people had signed the petition.

"The loss of this historic structure would be a significant blow to the character and aesthetics of our town," she wrote.

Ryysylainien also spoke before Town Council last week, urging officials to find a way to incorporate the structure into the proposed project.