The West Windsor Arts Council, in need of a home since its inception in 2002, is now one step closer to taking over the site of the old Princeton Junction Firehouse on Alexander Road.On Monday, August 28, the township council drafted a memorandum of understanding which defines the township’s intent to lease the building to the arts council, as has long been promised. The council is scheduled to vote on the memorandum on Monday, September 18.
Before WWAC takes over the firehouse, Improvements are needed. The parking lot must be repaved, and the interior requires renovations to achieve compliance with building codes. The building is currently used to store Emergency Hazmat materials and other equipment for the Division of Emergency Services.
Executive director Eduardo Garcia said the action taken at the meeting was positive, “I’m excited. We accomplished a lot in trying to get a memorandum of understanding. It shows we’re going to be able to move forward.”
The draft of the memorandum of understanding is described by WWAC president emeritus Paul Cerna as, “The ninth mile in a marathon. The major step didn’t happen yet. but I thought it was notable that two of the five council members referred to [the firehouse] as the arts council building.”
The building itself has problems which may keep programming out of the firehouse for some time to come. The roof was replaced in 2005, but there reportedly is asbestos that must be removed from what was once the kitchen.
Township business administrator Chris Marion said an architect will be hired within the next two months to assess the cost of the project. The township will take responsibility for getting the building up to code, and WWAC will raise money to turn the building into a usable arts center.
Marion says this year’s budget included $50,”000 which will be used for securing the services of the architect. He says last year’s budget included the funds as well, but that money had to be put towards the roof replacement.
The arts council has operated since 2002 in various locations and has taken in money from past events and from donations, it has not undertaken a formal fund raising campaign for improvement of the building.
Garcia says although there has not been a lease, WWAC has made plans for its future in the former firehouse. “There is an area that we’re envisioning for ongoing exhibits. We will need space for classes, and a performance area where we could put on intimate performances.”
Garcia says WWAC, when it takes tenancy of the building, will continue to use other local spaces for some of its functions. The group currently uses a space behind Panera in the Nassau Park Pavilion for outdoor performances, the West Windsor library to screen films, the Senior Center, and has mounted performances in places as offbeat as McCaffrey’s supermarket.
Garcia has 30 years of experience as an arts administrator. He says: “The most important thing that comes next is our programming. I’m working with the board to look at where we can go next. The decision is related to the kind of facilities that we find.”
The WWAC is also on the verge of improving its volunteer organization. Garcia urges all interested volunteers to call the council at 609-919-1982. The group’s web site provides information on upcoming performances and exhibitions by not only WWAC but also all West Windsor-related artists, at www.westwindsorarts.org
