Death knell: Demolition planned for Franklin Hospital

FRANKLIN-The days remaining for the old building at the top of Hospital Road may be almost over. St. Clare's Health Systems, which has owned the former Franklin Hospital for 11 years, wants to demolish the 97-year-old building. The health care company has already sent letters to area residents notifying them of its intent to raze the hospital. That advisories were sent by the Roseland-based law firm of Wolf, Block, Brach and Eichler, which represents St. Clare's, and told told the residents that "the owner of Block 57, Lot 19 will be submitting an application for a permit for the demolition of buildings and structures on the property, and that the buildings and structures thereon will be demolished in accordance with the permit once issued." The former hospital, the first in Sussex County when it opened in June of 1908, is eligible for inclusion on both the national and state registers of historic places, according to the Franklin Historical Society, which has lobbied hard to preserve the hospital. The hospital was built and operated by the New Jersey Zinc Company in order to provide better and faster care for injured miners. Preservation New Jersey, a non-profit association, listed the former hospital as one of the state's 10 most endangered historical sites last spring. "When we sent that notice, it was self-explanatory," said Andrew M. Brewer, an attorney with Wolf, Block, Brach and Eichler. "As a typical matter, we don't comment on an application." The New Jersey Historic Commision, which favors national and state historic status for the hospital, was not available for comment. Last spring, Sunbrite Investments, a Wayne-based development firm headed by Jerry Nardella, applied to the Franklin zoning board of adjustment for variances to build a 192-unit, eight-building "luxury" development restricted to people 55 or older on the hospital site. When it became clear that the zoning board might vote against the proposal, Sunbrite withdrew its application. Since then, the borough rezoned the property, increasing the allowable density from 2.9 to six residential units per acre. Any proposed development on the site will no longer be as age-restricted. "I just can't imagine that St. Clare's would do this without even considering the past history of the building," said Betty Allen, the Franklin Historical Society president. "I think it's a sad commentary on St. Clare's when they won't even discuss this at all. They won't return our phone calls." Allen also said any efforts to place the former hospital on the National and State historic register list would have to be approved by St. Clare's - as its owner- and that the borough's historical society had been reluctant to file the necessary paperwork due to fears that it would "accelerate" plans for demolition. "We were working with the perspective purchaser to convince him to turn the building into an assisted living facility," Allen said. Nardella said he had no comment. The borough's historic society has repeatedly stated that the outer shell of the former hospital should be preserved and that the interior should be renovated into a modern health care facility or other professional office use that would generate tax revenue while respecting the building's historic value. "They would have to approach the hospital," said Franklin mayor Doug Kistle. "It's not us. Any concerns should be addressed to the hospital." Borough Councilman Jack Stoll, when asked about St. Clare's pending demolition permit application, said, "If they did, it's a shame. But it's a private entity and I don't know what we could do. I don't know where we stand because it's a private entity." As of last Friday, according to one borough insider familiar with the situation, the borough hadn't yet issued the permit. Many residents who live close to the former hospital property have opposed plans for large-scale development due to safety, traffic and environmental concerns, and remain worried. In December, St. Clare's contracted to have all asbestos removed from the hospital, a step necessary before it can be either demolished or restored. The building has been fenced off from the public. "I guess we're all helpless," said Kane Road resident Michelle Miller. "There's nothing we can do. But there have been trucks going up and down there for weeks now. I don't know what they're doing. Unfortunately, I just think we're going to get stuck with whatever they want to do. That's how we all feel. "I'm not from Sussex County (originally)," Miller continued, "but I think it's a big deal. I think it would be neat if they used it as a museum. The architecture of it is really kind of cool. That's kind of a stepping stone in this area because it was a mining area."