Princeton Urged To Form Committee to Look Into Use Of Chestnut Street Firehouse

PRINCETON, NJ – Last month, the Council adopted a resolution allocating funds for the conceptual design services for the Princeton Fire Department’s headquarters.

During last week’s meeting, William Shields, president of the Princeton Fire Department’s Engine Company 1, addressed the council regarding the Chester Street Firehouse and urged the council to further explore the resolution, to evaluate further use.

He detailed the firehouse's layout — a two-story structure with a basement, a main floor and kitchen, an assembly area, and a rig room.

The upstairs contains a large meeting room and two offices, all with parquet floors and a half bath. He also noted its recent use for the Mercer County Senior lunch program.

Shields emphasized the firehouse's role in community events and suggested forming a committee to evaluate its future use.

“Princeton should not rush to quick fixes that would be irreversible and could ultimately increase cost to the town and taxpayers. As a member of the Princeton Fire Department with nearly 55 years, and president of Engine Company 1 for over 20, and past chief of the Princeton Department, I suggest a committee be established to evaluate use options of the Chestnut Street Firehouse,” Shields said.

He also warned that relocating the firehouse could be costly and irrevocable.

Shields suggested forming a committee made up of community members, as well as past and present firefighters.

“Chestnut Street has been the home to a firehouse from the early 1800s to the present day. To consider moving this property from the town rolls in an effort to acquire quick funds to address renovations... could result in major regrets,” Shields said.

“Once the Chestnut Stree firehouse is gone, it will be impossible to duplicate a location like this in the center of town without a high cost to the community and the municipality of Princeton.”

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