Cost of arts center still a concern
BY VINCENT TODARO Staff Writer

EAST BRUNSWICK- MayorWilliam Neary said this week he is hoping to soon know the final price tag of the community arts center planned for Heavenly Farms, Cranbury Road.

The unknown total cost of that building, which will include a new community theater to replace Playhouse 22, has become a concern to some members of the Township Council and has been a topic at recent meetings.

When the township decided to build the multiuse facility, Neary said profits from the sale of the township-owned property on Dunhams Corner Road would pay for the new building. However, the money gained from that sale, about $1.2 million, will not cover all costs associated with the center. The council awarded a bid of $1.23 million for the construction last June, but this did not include several components of the project, such as lighting, equipment and seating.

At a December council meeting, Neary said he was frustrated that his staff had not provided him with a final dollar amount, and he said this week he has asked his architect for a figure.

The most recent resolution on the facility, approved by the council in December, allowed for another $200,000 to be spent, paying for plumbing, bathrooms and other work.

Councilman David Stahl voted against the authorization, maintaining that he is still upset that no final cost has been provided. He called the continued authorizations and the lack of a target number "irresponsible."

"The first time it came up, I said I am in favor of this community center, but I am opposed to not having a cost on it all," Stahl told Greater Media Newspapers. "I am against authorizing taxpayer money for a project where the final cost is not known."

Stahl noted that if someone were having work done to their home, they would not proceed without a final estimate.

"I've been against that type of management," he said "If there is a total number known, disclose it."

Stahl said the building's steel frame is up, as are portions of the exterior walls, and the slab is in. However, the building "still has a long way to go before it's operational."

Stahl noted that the township has received some county funding to help with the project costs, and Neary said this week that he is trying to secure county and state grants to help defray costs.

Regardless, Stahl said, he is not voting in favor of further expenditures until he sees some final numbers.

"No number has been given to me on the total or when we will know what the total is," he said.

Members of the East Brunswick Community Players have publicly urged the mayor and council to expedite the project, because they have been without a theater since the Playhouse 22 site was sold to a developer in 2004.

In addition to a 195-seat auditorium, the community arts center will also include meeting rooms for township groups, a kitchen and an outdoor amphitheater.