Of the many unknowns surrounding the future of the West Windsor redevelopment project, one key could be whether Schlumberger Technology Corporation would move from its Wallace Road location to allow the township to use the key location for public amenities. Bob Hillier proposed relocating the company early on in his planning process. Many charrette attendees agreed that it would be a positive for the township. Whether the company itself would be willing to cooperate remained a mystery. Until now.##M:[more]##
General Manager Jay Russell said at a planning board meeting that his company would be willing to move from its current location to another spot in West Windsor. Schlumberger’s application to expand its current facility was being heard by the entity on July 25.
Russell has since been transferred to one of Schlumberger’s operations in France, but the current General Manager, Nicholas Picault, says the company’s position is as Russell stated.
“We are going to continue to communicate about this matter further in the future,” said Picault.
If Schlumberger were unwilling to relocate, he township could force the move. The designation of the 350-acre area around the train station as an area in need of redevelopment gives West Windsor the power of eminent domain. It can force a landowner to sell its property if it is deemed to be in the best interest of the township.
Schlumberger’s application was approved, clearing the way for the company to expand, adding a 11,”351 square-foot addition, as well as other small additions. The improvements are expected to increase the property value of the site.
The approval is contingent upon the company adding some site improvements, such as sidewalks along Wallace and Princeton-Hightstown roads.
