City Administrator and Redevelopment Director Peter Pelissier said he has asked the city engineer and city construction official to investigate whether the burned out building on East Cherry Street is structurally sound or should be razed.
The barricades that went up in front of the building within the last month were placed there by the Department of Public Works as a precaution, according to Construction Official Richard Watkins. He said the front wall, which is wood frame construction, is no longer held in place by a floor system, so if one leans on the wall, a slight gap opens between the sidewalk and face of the wall.
The eyesore at 65 E. Cherry St. was acquired by Dornoch for $65,000 from the Parking Authority. A fire occurred in summer 2005 when it was home to a wig and beauty supply store.
Prior to the collapse of the real estate market, circa November 2007, Dornoch had plans to develop the property, adding a third floor with residential units on the second and third floors and ground-floor retail.
The grassy lot next door, adjacent to the Rahway Grill, at one point was considered for a possible walkway/promenade access to the Lewis Street parking deck.
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I know it's not what the developer wants to hear, but I've always thought that area would make a lovely little park. Not huge, but maybe somewhere to sit with a cup of coffee from any of the coffee shops still remaining downtown. Some trees, maybe.Something like Mary Poppins, ya know? With the penguins?I guess it's silly saying it out loud.
There was an 18th century building next door that was demolished in 2004-ish without nary a peep of concern from anyone. It's now just a vacant lot.Unfortunately, I think the mantra of the city and the developers is to "demolish first & ask questions later" when it comes to any building in town of historical significance.I know that preservation is often more costly than new construction, but the facade of this building is more attractive than the blah stucco and vinyl siding that seem to cover every building these days.
I'd love to see them preserve the brick structure and make it into something more upscale, like a lounge or cigar bar. A place for commuters to grab a glass of wine? We really need more to attract people downtown, so they then spread the word about living in Rahway. Or…they can demo it and make it a parking lot.