Grant could help save historic Naugle HouseThursday, May 20, 2010
Last updated: Thursday May 20, 2010, 3:21 AM
BY JUSTIN ZAREMBA
Fair Lawn – The borough's proposed purchase of the historic Naugle House has gained momentum due in part to a $509,000 grant.
Deputy Mayor Steve Weinstein announced the receipt of the grant from the Bergen County Open Space Committee at the April 27 council meeting.
For the past few years, the borough has been engaged in negotiations with David Neidani, a developer and the current owner of the property, to acquire Naugle House and its surrounding property. Neidani bought the property in 2004 for $960,000 and had sought to build 18 townhouses as part of his Rio Vista Estates proposal.
Earlier this year, Neidani and the borough signed a settlement agreement that he would reduce the proposed number of townhouses to 13. Neidani also agreed to pay $243,000 to repair the property and to give the Naugle House to the borough.
Borough officials have previously indicated they are attempting to purchase the site to create a park from a portion of the property in order to maintain open space within the municipality.
Borough Attorney Bruce Rosenberg said at the May 11 council meeting that he would fully apprise the governing body of the current status of negotiations with the owner during the closed session.
The Naugle House served as a landmark on many Revolutionary War maps, according to the Bergen County Historical Society, and it is believed that the Marquis de Lafayette, a general in the Continental Army, once visited the home in 1824.
Weinstein was unavailable for further comment. Ira Levine, Neidani's lawyer, was unavailable for comment.
E-mail:
zaremba@northjersey.com
