$31 Million and Counting: Investigating Cost Overruns, Waste, Fraud, and Abuse at Jet Sports Building Complex, Stelton Recreation Center and Toth Health Center
What was once a $3.7 million project aimed at a swift reopening of the Stelton Community Center is now a $9 million endeavor plagued by unexpected delays, raising concerns about the township’s planning and execution. Originally slated for a year-end 2024 reopening, the project’s timeline remains uncertain as unforeseen environmental remediation takes center stage.
The addition of a $9 million price tag for the Stelton Recreation Center pushes the combined cost of three major Edison Township projects to over $31 million, specifically $31,657,607,73. This total encompasses the Edison Jets Complex and turf fields at $17,154,753.20 million, the Toth Health Center at $5,502,854.53 million, and the Stelton Recreation Center’s $9 million. These projects have been plagued by significant delays, substantial cost overruns, numerous change orders, and are increasingly viewed as a wasteful expenditure of taxpayer dollars.
In January 2024, Business Administrator Sonia Alves-Viveiros assured the public that the goal was to create a “restored operable building,” emphasizing the administration’s active pursuit of grant funding. At that time, the Township Council had approved $3.7 million for repairs to the long-closed community center, with the intention of making a portion of the building accessible to the public.
However, Mayor Joshi has since revealed the true scope of the project, estimating the total rehabilitation cost at a staggering $9 million. The initial $3.7 million allocation has been supplemented by a questionable $3 million New Jersey State Library grant, with an additional $3 million in grant funding still being sought.
The dramatic cost increase is compounded by significant delays. Councilman Richard Brescher voiced his frustration during the march 10th work session, questioning the progress and timeline of the project. He expressed concern that the necessary environmental remediation study was not conducted prior to the commencement of other work, such as roof repairs and window orders.
“We should have done that study at the beginning, right before you start the project,” Brescher stated, highlighting the potential for wasted funds if the building were deemed unsalvageable due to contamination.
Alves-Viveiros acknowledged the age of the building, built in 1925, and the inherent need for remediation, stating, “We did that knowing full well that we would have to do remediation because it was closed for a very long time.” The administration also confirmed the presence of known contaminants, such as asbestos, and assured that the remediation is part of the ongoing environmental work.
Despite these assurances, the revelation of the delayed environmental study and more than doubling of the project’s original budget raises serious questions about the initial planning and cost estimations. The Stelton Community Center, a former school building closed in 2018 due to neglected maintenance, is intended to be partially retrofitted for individuals with disabilities.
While the township aims to open a portion of the building this year, the escalating costs and unforeseen environmental challenges cast a shadow over the project’s future. The community, eager to regain access to this vital resource, now faces uncertainty as the township navigates the complex and costly rehabilitation of the Stelton Community Center. Mayor Joshi and Chief of Staff Bob Diehl did not return request for comment.
