By Anne Levin

An ordinance that could determine the future of the 23-acre property formerly occupied by Westminster Choir College was the subject of several comments during a public hearing at the meeting of Princeton Council on Monday evening, September 23. The ordinance, which was introduced on September 9, authorizes the acquisition of the site “by negotiation, purchase, condemnation, or eminent domain.”

At the close of the public hearing, Council voted unanimously in favor of the measure. Council President Mia Sacks, who led the meeting since Mayor Mark Freda is on vacation, called it “a historic evening for all of us.” To those who expressed concerns that the Westminster Conservatory of Music and the Westminster Community Orchestra would not be a part of the future plans for the site, Sacks said that the municipality is aware of their history and importance to the cultural life of the community.

The Conservatory and Orchestra are among the cultural organizations that operate on the Walnut Lane campus. Westminster Choir College was located there from 1935 until it was moved to the campus of Rider University in Lawrence Township in 2017 following Rider’s failed attempt to sell it to a Chinese company (Rider merged with the Choir College in 1991).

Previous to comments from the public, the town’s development attorney Steven Mlenak gave a brief summary of the situation. He referred to the two lawsuits surrounding the property — neither of which involve the municipality — as “the white elephant in the room,” and said the town has the right to proceed with the proposed sale.

“Regardless of any of the claims, the municipality’s right to acquire that property, either through private sale or condemnation, is not impeded at all by any of the claims made in the ongoing litigation,” he said. “The municipality is free to acquire that property, and the ownership is free to convey that property.”

Antonio Meroli, a member of the Westminster Community Orchestra, said he assumed that the ordinance provides for preserving the use of music facilities at the site. “It seems to me wise and cost-effective that the community keeps the existing musical facility in place and alive,” he said. “The music history is an asset for Princeton, not a liability.”

Westminster Conservatory faculty member Amy Wolfe commented, “If the best course of action for the Conservatory is to be acquired by Princeton, I’m okay with that. But it is so important that a piece of this property retain the roots of the Choir College. The Conservatory should remain on the property. Part of it should be retained as the Westminster legacy. Princeton is a community that has always been known to support the arts. I hope you as a Council will continue to support Westminster Conservatory, in whatever capacity works.”

Historian Clifford Zink congratulated the Council “for this bold and very important initiative for the future of the town,” adding that the Westminster property has been cited in the town’s Master Plan as a potential future historic district. “I would recommend that the town proceed with designating that core and finding appropriate uses for it,” he said. Zink also urged the Council to be creative in repurposing the site.

“It has 12 buildings. Certainly not all of them are fully usable, but it will be years and years as the town develops uses,” he said. “Many of the buildings are suitable, so be creative in using what’s there, for as long as possible.”

Architect Joshua Zinder expressed concern should any or all of the property be turned over to the Princeton Public Schools district. The district “has demonstrated that they are poor stewards of the structures in their hands, as can be seen in how they have let the Valley Road School fall apart when they should have been trustees of that building and other buildings,” he said. Zinder added that he is optimistic about the potential of the sale. “But I am fearful of giving the school district more of Princeton’s architectural history to squander.”

Maria Juega said she was concerned about the lack of public disclosure about the sale, including details about how much money and time will be put into the project. She also asked whether creation of a task force was being considered. Sacks responded that this early phase of the project is only about acquisition, and that the appointment of a task force is possible.

“The most important thing we want to see happen is that this property be used for the benefit of the residents of Princeton,” said Sacks. “Our interest here is ensuring this property belongs to the public, and Princeton’s public. We hope there will be maximum public input.”

Council members Michelle Pirone Lambros, Leticia Fraga, and Leighton Newlin thanked those who provided comments in person or over Zoom. “We’re hearing some concerns, some good ideas, comments, and a lot of questions,” said Lambros. “We’re not at the point yet in the process, but when it is appropriate there will be a robust planning process that will incorporate the community.”

“All of us on Council have real ties to this property,” Sacks concluded. “What happened is what happened. We can’t change that. The only thing we on Council can do now is try to make the best of the situation for future generations. I think there is room for all sorts of things, once we get past this very challenging legal stage.”

A public hearing on the financial process of the sale will be held at the October 14 meeting of Council.