Engineering Firm Looking Into Condition of Marlboro Psychiatric Hospital Property

An engineering design firm is currently investigating the Marlboro State Hospital property, a first step to cleaning up the land, according to state officials.

Bill Quinn, Spokesman for the NJ Treasury Department, said the firm is figuring out how to demolish buildings on the property.

"At the moment there is a design engineering firm that is doing a review of the property and figuring out what work is involved to demolish the buildings and if there are any environmental issue," Quinn told Patch. "The firm will also make recommendations on how to handle those issues."

Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno and Mayor Jon Hornik announced last November that the state would clean up the 411 acre site, including demolishing 600,000 square feet of buildings, at no expense to Marlboro taxpayers. Guadagno said the project would be completed by 2014.

Guadagno said in November, "We will be sure that [the property] is opened on time and under budget."

In July of last year, another spokesman for the Treasury Department told the Asbury Park Press that cleanup was on track for the 2014 deadline. However, Quinn said a timeline hasn't formally been attached to the project.

"It's certainly possible [to finish clean up by 2014], but we are not at a point yet where we can give a firm idea on that," Quinn said. "There is work going on, it's just kind of behind the scenes."

Hornik said he hasn't heard a word from the state since Guadagno visited the property at a press conference in 2011.

"I haven't heard back from the Governor's office," Hornik said. "We're eager to partner with the state, but the ball is in the Governor's court." 

Quinn said any communication from the state to local officials would be handled by Gov. Chris Christie's office. A call to the office was not returned to Patch in time for publication.

Currently, the property is being used for military exercises. Signs of construction were seen on Monday, when a gas main line on the property was struck with a backhoe. However, local officials did not know what construction was being done.

Hornik said while no set plans have been negotiated with the county or state, Marlboro officials would like to see the property become recreational open space.

"We want it to be dedicated open space for residents."

The estimated cost of the cleanup is $27 million, which will be shouldered by the state. Once the property is turned over to the Monmouth County Parks System. 

The 411-acre property is currently owned by the state, and is completely closed to the public due to environmental hazards.