By Lori Savron | August 14, 2025
With nearly 40% of the town preserved, and more open space added each year, Montgomery Township’s land portfolio is dominated by preserved parkland, open space, and farmland.
However, the property that once served as the government hub, is part of an evolving discussion: What should be done with the property that once housed the town’s municipal building?
The former Montgomery municipal building is on a 31-acre site. Seven of those acres can be developed.
The structure at 2261 Route 206 was vacated after the police department and government offices were moved to the new municipal center on Orchard Road, which opened in June 2022.
The old building, which was no longer economically viable for continued use or renovation, now sits idle and is scheduled for demolition. Some of that land is a blank canvas in a township where most municipally-owned land is dedicated to conservation and recreation.
While the 31-acre municipal property may seem expansive, a range of limiting factors such as Green Acres-encumbered land (21 acres), stream corridor, and ongoing municipal use, significantly constrain its development potential. About seven acres of the 31-acre site could be available for development
A vast majority of the former municipal building property (70%) is NJDEP Green Acres-encumbered, permanently protected and restricted to recreation and conservation uses under the state regulations.
Once land is designated this way, it cannot be used for other purposes, such as development or commercial activity, without approval from the NJDEP and the State House Commission under the diversion of land process.
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Within the Green Acres area is the municipal dog park, a playground, and pathway and footbridge that links to Montgomery Veteran’s park.
A portion of the property is located within the Cruser Brook stream corridor and not available for development. Much of the lower parking lot is in the floodplain and is prone to flooding. In past storms, the township lost police vehicles due to rising flood waters in this portion of the property.
About seven acres could potentially be available for development, out of the 9.6 acres not subject to Green Acres encumbrance. This is partially due to the municipal road salt storage facility; a small section of Covert Drive needed to maintain access to that facility; and land within the stream corridor.
Many years ago, DEP required the salt storage facility to be removed from the public works yard at 12 Harlingen Road as that facility lies within the floodplain of a Pike Run tributary.
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It’s also worth noting that discussions have been underway for years regarding the relocation of the undersized public works facility, with the goal of moving it out of the floodplain and out of Harlingen’s historic village.
In addition, access on Route 206 has presented challenges with many car accidents occurring in front of the municipal building over the years. The township advocated to NJDOT to remove the southbound merger from two lanes to one lane that was in front of the building. Additionally, Covert Drive helps traffic circulation as a secondary access point to the site from Belle Mead-Griggstown Road.
Amid shifting federal dynamics, the town has successfully safeguarded a critical $1.5 million federal grant to demolish the former municipal building and restore the floodplain.
Municipal staff diligently met deadlines, while cutting through red tape, to persist through an intensive grant execution process. That project is currently out to bid.
Given that a substantial portion of the township’s land is safeguarded through preservation, this particular property represents a unique opportunity to intentionally shape both the community’s legacy and its future.
Our objective is to act as conscientious stewards, not only of the land itself but of the evolving needs of the township over the coming decades.
