Roosevelt Hospital – Edison, New Jersey
Originally planned for George’s Road, estimated cost $560,000. Bids sought January 1935. Bed capacity of 215 and require eight months to complete construction. Built with aid of PWA funds. Government assuming 30% of cost. Plans for Georges Road were abandoned. Plans changed to build with a $575,000 loan and grant from Federal government at Roosevelt Park. “The freeholders, in abandoning the county farm site, are abiding by the wishes of the residents of New Brunswick and Highland Park who protested vigorously against the erection of a tuberculosis site on the banks of Farrington Lake, the city’s watershed.” New site reduced to 200 beds, putting total project cost of $775,000. When the site had been proposed in Metuchen and Raritan township years ago, the Board of Freeholders gave up the idea of building.
When bids exceeded budget for the project by more than 25% again there was concern that the project might be shelved. What happened instead is the Freeholders at a special meeting decided to change the location from the County Farm to Roosevelt Park, and instructed the architect to bring the building in within the $575,000 loan and grant of the Federal government. Despite work proceeding an additional $125,000 was needed to finish the hospital. The Freeholders gave approval to ask PWA for additional funding.
Brick parapets were added to the South decks of Roosevelt Hospital for a cost of $1,399. Architect Aylin Pierson prepared plans for these. Angolut Building Construction Company of New Brunswick oversaw general construction, and New Brunswick Cornice Works did the mason work.
The New York & New Jersey Construction Company was the low bidder at $403,200. Cornerstone was laid October 26, 1935. Dedicated October 31, 1936 with 500 people in attendance.
Cornerstone in terra cotta with the date 1935.
