Despite many objections, the historic Friendly House in Belleville, New Jersey will soon be demolished. The century-old building was neglected for decades, and now the Belleville council has voted to demolish the structure. The Friendly House is a recreation center that contains a playground, basketball court, and indoor pool. The building poses a threat to public health, as it contains cancer-causing asbestos (linked to both lung cancer and mesothelioma), black mold, and a crumbling facade with limited structural integrity.

The demolition contract still needs to be authorized, but it appears that the demolition contract will cost the township $129,000. This is a bargain, as estimates in April estimated the cost of repairs and upgrades for the aging building would be over $2 million. The historic building was once a resource for the town’s large Italian immigrant population. When the township purchased the building in 1973, it was neglected and unused.

The future of the site is unknown, although the council has promised neighbors that the parcel of land will not be sold off to private developers. Councilwoman Marie Strumolo Burke hopes to build a new recreational facility on the site. Burke argues that the children of the township lack an indoor place to play sports. "We have kids playing in the rain," Burke said. "I’m in negotiations with the mayor and council, and, with my last breath, there will be a building there that will serve the whole town, not just Silver Lake."

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