Packard / Silk Mill Development

Packard Building Facade

The subject property has a four (4) story warehouse totaling 47,598 sq. ft. currently used for storage and distribution of automotive parts (Kanter Auto Products). The building was originally constructed as the Pelgram & Meyers Silk Mill circa 1875, (a description of the building can be downloaded on this page and was obtained from the Boonton Historic Preservation Commission) . The adaptive reuse of the property will be for 62 residential rental apartments with accessory parking (a connected parking structure) and open space. The benefits to the community at large include:

  • A significant additional ratable property and increase to the tax base of the Town
  • Increase the population/customer base to support the  businesses along lower Main Street (within walking distance)
  • Softens the lines between industrial and residential land uses in this area

The proposed development will preserve quantifiable historic elements including:

  • The existing building footprint and structure
  • Maintaining existing window patterns of the façade
  • Integrating the additional matching new structure on the same footprint of the existing building into the architectural fabric of the existing building

Off tract improvements including:

  • New pedestrian walkways
  • Re-purposing of the dead end tail of Monroe Street which does not serve any other properties

Connectivity of Main Street to the Green Acres property thru the subject site via:

  • New walkways and paths
  • Pedestrian pathways to gain access for passive recreation along the Rockaway River

Promote a more desirable use of an historical Boonton mill building located at the environmentally sensitive Rockaway River

Prohibit potential environmentally hazardous industrial uses adjacent to environmentally sensitive area

Provide a residential base within walking distance of the rail station to encourage increased ridership and use of mass transit

SilkMillBoonton
Packard Building Facade with car on top

The developer requested and obtained a Zone Change for the property and has met with the members Historic Preservation Commission who embraced the concept. The developer is currently obtaining the requisite approvals form NJDEP and anticipates submitting for Site Plan Approval and Building Permits in early 2018. Construction is anticipated in the second quarter of 2018 with completion in early 2019.

To learn more about the history of the building and industry in Boonton, CLICK HERE.

BoontonAds