Veterans say the 18th Century building has historic significance, but the town said the property is deteriorating and unusable in its current condition.
IRVINGTON -- Veterans clubhouse or fast food restaurant? Those are the two options for an 18th Century building in Irvington that has a group of residents and the town's administration at odds.
According to members of the Irvington Volunteer Network for Veterans, the nonprofit veterans association has occupied the same building at 1111-1113 Springfield Ave. in Irvington since 1921. Known as the "Servicemen's Clubhouse," members say the building served not only as a meeting place for the town's veterans, but as a host to larger community celebrations, like those on Memorial and Veterans Days.
Several years ago, the township moved the club to the Irvington senior center, citing the building's deteriorating condition, and in May 2014, the building was closed, members said.
But, a new plan for the township to sell the property to a developer who will turn it into a Taco Bell has the club fighting to get the building back.
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"The veteran community and citizens are outraged," said Brenda Jenkins, the Secretary-Treasurer of Volunteer Network for Veterans. "Do we really want to support a Taco Bell over our veterans?"
Jenkins said she led a group of residents and veterans who voiced their concerns about the sale at a township council meeting earlier this year. The group has also been generating paper and online petitions against the sale, and is launching a larger scale demonstration against the sale, she said.
The potential cost of rehabilitating the building remains unclear, but Jenkins said the organization would be willing to raise the funds if the town agreed to retain ownership of the building.
The group, which has partnered with other area service organizations, is working with Preservation New Jersey in an attempt to stop the sale, Jenkins said. In a letter addressed to Irvington Mayor Tony Vauss, the preservation organization's vice president, Margaret Hickey, said the building was constructed in the 18th Century, and was known as the "Baldwin House" after its owner Moses Baldwin, an early settler to the area.
"The Baldwin House is an irreplaceable historic resource that is locally significant for its association with the Baldwin family and with our vast and complex military history," Hickey said in the letter. "Every effort should be made to protect this resource."
Hickey did not respond to a request for comment on the letter Friday.
But Stephanie Bush-Baskette, a spokeswoman for Irvington who confirmed that the town is about to go into closing on the property, said that the sale will convert a building that is not currently being used to something that will generate tax revenue and jobs.
"It's going to be a very good situation," she said. "(The building) has been substandard. It wasn't being used...this will contribute to the revitalization of that corner...instead of having a dilapidated building there."
Franchisee Nirav Mehta, who said he and his wife Rupl Patel are also building a fast food franchise in nearby Orange, said the property was up for an open bid when they submitted an offer. Though they still need to have the plans for the Taco Bell approved by the Irvington planning board, Mehta said he was optimistic about it, because the building, as is, "is unusable."
And, the eatery - which would be located close to Irvington High School and a considerable distance from many of the other dining options in Irvington - would bring about 30 jobs to the area, he said.
"The town is trying to attract new buildings, development, and business to build up the area and generate tax revenue," he said. "It will be a beautiful looking building."
Mehta also said he thought locals would appreciate the convenience of another eating option on that side of town.
"It should be a successful location...(and) a viable project for the township," he said.
Jessica Mazzola may be reached at jmazzola@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @JessMazzola. Find NJ.com on Facebook.