Pinelands Commission authorizes $954,320 contract to rehabilitate historic Fenwick Banner building

The Pinelands Commission on a voice vote authorized the executive director to execute a construction services contract with Holly Brothers to rehabilitate the historic Fenwick Banner building.

Commission staff presented the scope, which centers on foundation stabilization (including excavation, concrete pours and installation of helical piles), repair of chimneys and brick piers, mortar and clapboard repairs, window and shutter work, drainage upgrades and roofing. Staff said archaeological monitoring will be required during excavation and showed historic photos of earlier porch work.

During the presentation, staff cited the low bid from Holly Brothers and listed the bid total as “just shy of 1,954,320.” Staff said available funding includes a $575,000 New Jersey Historic Trust Capital Grant match plus state fiscal‑year appropriation funds and internal reserves, totaling $1,264,000. Contracted design/management costs of $102,100 were already committed, leaving a projected construction contract of $954,320 and an overall remaining contingency of about $207,580.

Staff said the contract cannot proceed to a notice to proceed until required permits from the Department of Community Affairs are issued and the commission has paid any applicable permit fee. Commissioners discussed asking for a waiver of the permit fee and emphasized that allowance approvals must remain under director control.

Staff said the selected bidder’s schedule calls for completion within 150 days of the notice to proceed. The commission approved the authorization to enter the contract by voice vote; there were no recorded oppositions or abstentions.

The commission noted next steps: finalize the contract, meet with the contractor, complete permit applications with the Department of Community Affairs, secure the notice to proceed and implement a field plan that will include temporary relocations of staff and furniture during construction.