Politics & Government

Parsippany Urges Senators to Withdraw Greystone Bill

Town council passes resolution that opposes senators' plan and requests historic designation for Kirkbride building.

The issue of the historic Greystone Park Psychiatric Hospital is getting more controversial as local and county governments are discussing the recent bill introduced by senators Joe Pennacchio and Anthony Bucco.

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Tuesday night, the Parsippany Council passed unanimously 5-0 a resolution that goes against the senators’ bill. The resolution is printed in full at the bottom of this article.

Drafted by Councilmember Jonathan Nelson, “our resolution rebukes the bill introduced by senators Bucco and Pennacchio by urging them to withdraw their bill,” said Nelson.

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“Our resolution urges the State to also designate the (Kirbride) building as historic, which would protect it from being demolished,” he added.

Recently, non-profits have approached the Parsippany-Troy Hills council pushing for the township to save Greystone, particularly the historic Kirkbride building.

The all-volunteer group Preserve Greystone said that the senators’ statement “makes no mention of the massive historic structures on the site, including the 1876 Kirkbride Building” which the group is actively looking to preserve along with other nonprofits.

“There was an informative presentation by David Rice of Cross Properties, and the Mayor himself asked Rice to set up a further meeting,” said Preserve Greystone Trustee Adam McGovern. “Councilman Nelson introduced a resolution calling for the withdrawal or amendment of the NJ Sate Senate bill which seems to endanger the future of the Greystone Main Building; There was vigorous comment from members of the public and questioning from members of the Council.  Preserve Greystone will attend the next County Freeholders meeting as well to advance this issue.”

Greystone has been a controversial topic with its $50 million demolition price tag that was determined after Gov. Chris Christie announced plans in late 2011 to remediate and convert Greystone Park in Parsippany—about 165 acres.

The senators have not responded to requests for comment.

The legislation proposed by the senators calls for the remaining Greystone property owned by the state and declared as surplus can only be sold to Morris County. Morris County is limited to using the property for the following purposes: recreation, conservation, historic preservation, farmland preservation and associated public services.

Here is the full resolution from Tuesday night’s council meeting:

Resolution of the Township Council of the Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills Urging the Preservation of Greystone's Historic Kirkbride Building.

Whereas the State of New Jersey opened the New Jersey State Lunatic Asylum on August 17, 1876 in what is now the Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills; and

Whereas, the original main hospital building, colloquially called the Kirkbride Building, is of important historical and architectural significance; and 

Whereas, the State of New Jersey has deemed the Greystone property as surplus; and

Whereas, the taxpayers of the State of New Jersey are responsible for the cost of remediating hazardous materials from the Greystone property; and

Whereas, Senators Bucco and Pennacchio have introduced bill S-3112 which provides that the remaining Greystone property, owned by the State of New Jersey, may only be sold to Morris County; and

Whereas, if S-3112 is enacted, Morris County would be limited to using the property for recreation, conservation, historic preservation, farmland preservation and associated public services; and

Whereas, preservation of the Kirkbride Building is not mentioned in bill S-3112; and 

Whereas, it is the opinion of the Township Council of Parsippany-Troy Hills that every effort be made to protect the Kirkbride Building from demolishment; and  

Whereas, the Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills urges Senators Bucco and Pennacchio to withdraw bill S-3112 so that every effort can be made to preserve the historic Kirkbride Building.

Now, therefore be it resolved, that the Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills calls upon Senators Bucco and Pennacchio to withdraw bill S-3112 or, in lieu of withdrawal, include provisions that call for the historic designation and protection of the Kirkbride building; and

Be it further resolved, that a copy of this resolution be transmitted to the Governor of the State of New Jersey, Senator Joe Pennacchio, Senator Bucco, Assemblywoman Betty Lou DeCroce, Assemblyman Jay Webber, and the New Jersey State League of Municipalities.


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