Developer cancels Nabisco factory implosion in favor of 'alternate method of demolition'

The much-debated and delayed implosion of the former Nabisco cookie factory in Fair Lawn has been canceled, the owner of the property said Monday.

Instead, the tower along Route 208 will be dismantled using "an alternative method" that does not involve explosives, Greek Development LLC said in a statement emailed to reporters.

“After extensive dialogue with local communities and businesses, Greek Development has made the decision not to implode the remaining portion of the Nabisco Tower,” said the East Brunswick developer, which has faced persistent questions from neighbors about contamination risks from the demolition. “We will utilize an alternative method of demolition that does not include the use of any explosives.”

The statement didn't say what triggered the decision at this time, but it added that the company is taking “the additional time and expense to ensure the well-being and peace of mind of the surrounding residents."

Greek Development originally scheduled the implosion for April 15. But Fair Lawn officials abruptly announced in early April that the event had been delayed indefinitely. Local officials gave conflicting explanations as to why, with some citing delays in securing permits and others saying more time was needed to clean out asbestos from the site. Community members, especially Glen Rock residents who live on the Fair Lawn border near the old bakery, had become increasingly vocal about contamination risks over the last few months. Many signed a petition, asking for additional testing, that had secured more than 1,000 signatures as of Monday afternoon. Others expressed frustration with the communication and information coming from local leaders.

On Thursday, about 25 residents from Fair Lawn and Glen Rock organized a town hall meeting at the Glen Rock Inn to discuss their worries about the implosion. They heard via Zoom from a community activist in Chicago who discussed the "botched implosion" of a power plant that contaminated a neighborhood in that city. One of the contractors for the Chicago project, Controlled Demolition Inc., was also one of two companies hired by Greek Development for the Fair Lawn implosion.

Hearing set for warehouse proposal

Mondelēz International Inc., the Chicago-based parent company of Nabisco, sold the 40-acre site for $146.5 million in 2021 to a limited liability company tied to Greek Development. Greek Development filed a proposal in February to replace the factory with a warehouse.

The warehouse application was scheduled to be heard Monday night before the Fair Lawn Planning Board at Borough Hall, at 8-01 Fair Lawn Avenue.

Reached in the afternoon, Glen Rock Mayor Kristine Morieko said she was thrilled to hear the news and felt that the decision to change the type of demolition was a “testament to those residents that raised concerns.” She also thanked officials such as Rep. Josh Gottheimer, state Sen. Joseph Lagana, Assemblywoman Lisa Swain and Assemblyman P. Christopher Tully, who she said offered guidance.

“I think this is the best outcome that anyone could have asked for,” Morieko said. “I am so relieved.”

Caitlin O'Rourke, a Tenafly resident who was one of the main organizers of the Glen Rock town hall last week, said she was “relieved our voices are starting to be heard.” She said she was looking forward to the Fair Lawn Planning Board meeting to address another major concern of locals: traffic that could be created by the warehouse project.

“We also hope to continue our dialogue with the developer on other community questions and concerns throughout this project,” O'Rourke said.

Fair Lawn Mayor Kurt Peluso previously assured local residents that an implosion would be carried out safely. On Monday, he said the move to call off the implosion was "exciting and shows the process is working."

"I appreciate all the residents making sure their voices are heard," he said. "It's reassuring that people spoke up and we have some changes."

Stephanie Noda is a local reporter for NorthJersey.com. For unlimited access to the most important news from your local community, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.

Email: noda@northjersey.com

Twitter: @snoda11

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Nabisco implosion canceled by developer of Fair Lawn site