It’s Official: Princeton Now Owns Westminster Choir College Campus

PRINCETON, NJ - Princeton is now the official owner of the historic 23-acre property formerly used by Westminster Choir College, located in the center of town, the Municipality said Wednesday.

Although the property has been the subject of lawsuits regarding its legal ownership, the Municipality’s acquisition through condemnation is absolute, and eliminates any and all claims, restrictions, or encroachments by any other party over the property, officials said in a media release.

“We are thrilled to announce that the Municipality has been successful in securing this property for the residents of Princeton. The acquisition process has been a smooth one, and now the hard work begins: to reimagine this historic site to meet urgent public facility needs, while honoring the cultural significance of its past and leaving a legacy for future generations,” Council President Mia Sacks said.

“We look forward to engaging the community over the next 18 months in a multi-faceted planning exercise with robust public engagement and maximum stakeholder input.”

On Jan. 14, Princeton filed an Eminent Domain Action in the Superior Court of New Jersey to acquire the property.

Rider University and Princeton Theological Seminary were both named as defendants due to unresolved issues surrounding title to the property.

The defendants filed non-contesting answers, thereby acknowledging Princeton’s right to take title to the property.

On March 3rd, all parties entered into a stipulation wherein Princeton’s appraised value of the property, $42 million, was accepted as the true value of the property.

On March 5th, Judge Lougy entered an order approving Princeton’s acquisition of the property for $42 million. Subsequent to depositing the funds with the Superior Court of New Jersey, Princeton recorded a Declaration of Taking on Tuesday, April 1, with the Mercer County Clerk.

Rider University has been working with the Municipality in recent weeks to transfer management of the property.

“We have worked closely with Rider facilities personnel on operational transfer, including security, waste management, utilities, IT, fire and alarm systems, landscaping, and a host of other matters. Our work with Rider to ensure a seamless transition has been positive and productive,” Deputy Administrator Deanna Stockton said.

The licenses for three nonprofits currently operating on the site - Music Together, Princeton Pro Musica, and the Greater Princeton Youth Orchestra - have been transferred to Princeton. T

The municipality has also been working with Rider to make it possible for the Westminster Conservatory of Music, currently a part of Rider University, to continue operating on the property.

Princeton recently retained Topology, a NJ-based planning firm, to help “identify a vision for the site that is both implementable and worthy of the Municipality’s sizable investment,” as indicated in their scope of work.

“We are pleased that the legal hurdles involving the acquisition of this property have finally been resolved,” Mayor Mark Freda said. “We are eager to move forward together with the community to come up with the best plan for this site and our residents.”

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