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With a splintering crash, the claw of a midnight black backhoe tore into the rear of the abandoned brick building on Fairview Avenue, leaving a heap of dust and debris in its wake.
It's about time, say Essex County officials.
On Monday, demolition began at two abandoned buildings on the former Essex County Hospital Center grounds in Cedar Grove. The demolition is the start to eventually build a 90-acre county park on the site, according to officials.
"This is a win-win situation for the residents of the county, especially the residents of Cedar Grove," Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo said at a press conference announcing the demolition.
"Knocking down these two buildings will help enhance safety in the area by removing the dilapidated and unsafe structures…. It's the first step to redeveloping the property into its natural state," DiVincenzo said.
"Cedar Grove is happy to see this occur," Township Mayor Paul H. Lee said. "We really appreciate the efforts by Joe DiVincenzo to create additional open space, and we look forward to this being a wonderful spot."
The demolition process began in the spring, when the county gave contracts to J&S Environmental and DIA Construction to abate asbestos found on the properties. Asbestos remediation took about six weeks to complete, said county officials.
So far, the county has spent more than $800,000 for asbestos abatement on the property and expects demolition to cost at least $450,000, DiVincenzo said.
The Essex County Department of Public Works will conduct the demolition, with some work subcontracted to the Nacirema Group of Bayonne.
County officials said the demolition of the two buildings is scheduled to take "about one month," and that the asbestos abatement and demolition will be funded through the county's capital budget.
DiVincenzo added that the county might seek additional funding through the Essex County Open Space Trust Fund.
The county executive said that plans are to preserve a power plant building, the pavilion/bandstand area and Building 12, but that "by 2010, all other buildings [at the former hospital center] will be torn down."
Cedar Grove Councilman Robert O'Toole has previously advocated that Building 12 be preserved for the Cedar Grove recreational wrestling league.
State Sen. Theresa Ruiz (D-29th)said the demolition is an important step in "securing green space for future generations, not only for Essex County, but for the state as a whole."
The plan to build a park on the property represents a "change in policy… to create more open space, instead of selling the property to a private real estate developer," DiVincenzo said.
"We don't need any more $2 million or $3 million houses in Essex County," said Essex County Sheriff Armando Fontoura.
Housing developer K. Hovnanian, which negotiated to purchase the hospital center site along with other Hilltop properties, is suing the county for breach of contract.
K. Hovnanian bought 53 acres along Fairview Avenue in Cedar Grove for $12.15 million in 2004. The developer also purchased 27 acres along Mountainside Avenue in Caldwell and North Caldwell for $6.4 million that year.
DiVincenzo declined Monday to comment about the lawsuit's status, but restated his belief that the buildings will be razed and the park will be built.
"I will not rest until this place is leveled," he said.
Turning Point, an alcohol and drug abuse rehabilitation facility, was the last to use the two buildings slated for demolition. On Monday, an asbestos warning sign hung on the door of the building that the center once used.
The center was located in Cedar Grove for more than 31 years, and at Building 14 at Dill Drive since 1991, but was forced to move out in 2006.
Turning Point claims to have serviced more than 30,000 clients in Essex County and its surrounding communities since opening its first facility in 1975. It just announced the opening of an outpatient treatment program on Pompton Avenue in Verona.

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Sheriff makes arrests!



Seven adult males, an adult female and three female juveniles were arrested last night at the former Essex County Hospital Center, located at 125 Fairview Ave in Cedar Grove, the Essex County Sheriff's Department announced this afternoon.
Sheriff Armando Fontoura stated that the arrests are the result of a series of on-going plainclothes surveillance operations at that location. During the past few weeks, a number of the abandoned buildings have been broken into and vandalized.
Arrested were (edits by Evil Admin): John Doe 1 age 19; John Doe 2, age 19; John Doe 3, age 20; John Doe 4, age 18; John Doe 5, age 19; John Doe 6, age 18; John Doe 7, age 20; and, Jane Doe 1, age 19. All are from Belleville.
Also arrested were two 17-year-old females from Nutley and a 16-year-old female from Brick.
All are charged with criminal trespass. John Doe 2 is additionally charged with criminal mischief.
Cedar Grove and Verona police assisted in making the arrests.
All of the suspects were issued summonses and released to their parents. At a later date, the adults will have a hearing in Cedar Grove municipal court, and the juveniles will have a hearing in Family Court.