Autism Organization Breaks Ground in Former School, Police Station

by Colleen Curry on July 20th, 2010 Comment

In a building that has served residents of all ages and needs for more than 100 years, an autism-outreach organization will open its doors to care for another underserved population.

From left: Michele Goodman, Exec Director, New Horizons in Autism; Assemblywoman Caroline Casagrande; New Horizons Vice President Helmuth Kaunzinger; Leslie Long, Director of Development, New Horizons; Borough Councilman George Schnurr; Dr. James Pryor, Chairman, Board of Trustees, New Horizons.

The New Horizons in Autism, currently based in Neptune, will move its local outreach programs and administrative offices to the former Bennett Street School and Freehold Borough Police Station, on the corner of Hudson and Bennett Streets, in the coming months.

The group broke ground Tuesday morning in a ceremony attended by the organization's directors and board members, local legislators including Assemblywoman Caroline Casagrande and Councilpersons Sharon Shutzer and George Schnurr, and former Councilman Bob Crawford.

"We've been dreaming of something like for the programs," said Michele Goodman, the group's Executive Director.

The building, formerly owned by the Borough, was sold for $600,000 in 2008 to an Englishtown-based developer, Todd Bernstein. The Borough stipulated that the building be used for either a childhood learning center or center for disabled adults, based on input from neighbors of the building. The Historic Preservation Committee also contributed zoning suggestions to maintain the historical look of the building.

"When we met with the residents in the area, everyone agreed that this would be a good use for the building," Schnurr said Tuesday. "They didn't want retail or light industrial or commercial. This is a great fit....A win for everybody."

The building, already divided into classrooms from its days as a school building, will be renovated on the inside. Architects Bach & Clark of Main Street will oversee the conversion, including the expansion of classrooms on the lower and middle levels, the installation of a kitchen and dining room, administrative offices on the third floor, and a fourth, mezzanine level that will include a boardroom and conference rooms. Removing bars from an old jail cell still standing in the basement will be at the top of the renovations list, they said.

The zoning of the building prohibits any additional principal structures on the property or any changes to the front and sides of the building; any variances would have to be brought to the Planning Board, Schnurr said.

The center will serve as a base for the after-school programs, outreach programs, administrative work, and vocational program. About 40 individuals in the vocational program, who are transported to the center each day, will seek supportive roles in area restaurants and businesses, Goodman said.

"We needed a town. we're thrilled to be down the street from the Knights of Columbus, the Elks, the restaurants. We can develop partnerships," she said.

Schnurr said the New Horizons team hoped to move into their new home by the end of the year.