West Windsor resident and community activist Pete Weale has been lobbying for the clean-up of various township sites, including the area around the old Acme supermarket that has been dubbed “Plywood Junction” because of the boarded-up windows.
In recent weeks Weale has directed E-mails to officials of the Dreher Group, the owner of the property across from the Acme site that is expected to be razed to make way for a new Rite Aid Pharmacy, and to representatives of Rite Aid. Excerpts from Weale’s E-mails follow:
I have long been interested in upgrading the appearance of Rite Aid Corner/West Windsor. Last December I wrote to the West Windsor-Plainsboro Board of Education and separately to the West Windsor Township Council suggesting art scene painting by high school students and/or the West Windsor Arts Council.
I note you have donated funds to the West Windsor Arts Council.
Would you object if I were to PAINT the weathered sheets of plywood prior to your demolition? The color would be appropriate: earth tone/ neutral and neither obnoxious nor garish.
I have permission for donated product from Sherwin Williams to proceed but need YOUR approval, of course. There was no point in contacting you if I didn’t have the donated paint.
Also, even if you have near-term August/September+ plans to demolish the structures, I would still welcome the opportunity to make a difference. The net improvement is painted plywood! I am willing to meet with you at your office — or on-site — with the paint samples for your approval.
If you permit us to paint the plywood, this will jump start our efforts to have Windsor (Acme) Plaza, Princeton University (the former Exxon station), Ellsworth Center 2, and the former O’Neil Kennels on Route 1 South step up their appearance models.
Pete Weale
144 Fisher Place, West Windsor
In response Weale heard from a representative of the Dreher Group, who indicated that “Rite Aid doesn’t want anyone or any cars on the site — demolition is soon.” No specific date was provided.
