North Haledon plans to restore veterans' hall on High Mountain Road
NORTH HALEDON — An architect has been hired to design the first major renovation of the veterans’ hall since the building was constructed almost 60 years ago.
The building at 512 High Mountain Road, which opened in May 1963, serves as the headquarters of American Legion Post 428. Over the past decade, it has been a quasi-community center for other groups that hold social functions there.
Mayor Randy George said it is wise to invest in the meeting space because the borough gets so much use out of it.
“We’re trying to upgrade the look of the building to give it that curb appeal that the veterans really deserve,” he said this week.
Albert F. Zaccone, a local architect, is being paid a not-to-exceed sum of $20,000 to design the restoration. The project will include energy-efficient windows, a new brick veneer and a new sloped roof.
George Van Der Wall, the commander of Post 428, said he agreed that the building was due a face-lift.
“I told the mayor we needed a paint job,” he said. “It needs to be done over.”
According to Zaccone’s proposal to officials, the new roof will be pitched over the existing flat roof. The facade on the north and west sides of the building will be made of red bricks, as opposed to the faux white bricks that now form its exterior walls.
George said a contractor will be appointed for the work after the architect completes his design. He said he hopes that the project will be done by the end of next year.
Post 428, which has 45 members, turned over the property deed to the borough in October 2011 because the maintenance of the building was too costly.
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We're trying to upgrade the look of the building to give it that curb appeal that the veterans really deserve.
Mayor Randy George
As a result, the borough opened its doors to the masses: Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and, on Friday mornings, senior citizens. Just two weeks ago, the police department hosted a blood drive there.
The borough’s taking over the property has also allowed officials to pursue avenues for financial aid.
Officials have spent $330,000 to make sure that the one-story building is accessible to those in wheelchairs.
Most of that money came from the Passaic County Community Development Block Grant Program, which is funded by the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
The aid covered the price of ramps at the front and rear entrances to the building, as well as updated bathrooms and modified cabinets and countertops in its kitchen.
Philip DeVencentis 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: devencentis@northjersey.com
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: North Haledon NJ American Legion building due major overhaul
