The interconnected process of addressing senior citizen housing and the moving of the Department of Public Works (DPW) to a new building has hit another setback. Resolution 145-16 on the June 2, 2016 Mayor & Council meeting agenda rejected all bids for the proposed new DPW building which would be located at the corner of Laurel and Seaton Avenues. Budgeted at $3.2 million, the lowest bid for what was titled DPW Yard Improvements reportedly came in over that by $100,000.
The DPW yard needs to be moved in order to accommodate for the proposed senior citizen housing that will go next to the little league fields and across the street from Roselle Park High School (RPHS). That project has not progressed past a study to determine the level of contamination after years of applying for – and being denied – various grants that would fund remediation.