Lindsay Rittenhouse, October 2, 2015
As seen on nj.com

The groundbreaking for the construction of the new Robbinsville Municipal Building took place Thursday Oct. 29 at 11 a.m.

ROBBINSVILLE - Robbinsville officials broke ground Thursday morning at the site of the township's much-anticipated new municipal building.

"I'm very excited to be here today for our third groundbreaking," Robbinsville Mayor Dave Fried said. "Third time is the charm."

The town bought the 15,000-square-foot building – located at 2298 Route 33 - from Investors Bank in December 2014 for $803, 715, after two other locations fell through.

Robbinsville town officials have been without a home since 2006 when the former municipal building was rendered uninhabitable due to mold. The township has been renting space from local developer Sharbell Development paying more than $165,000 in rent for 2014.

"This is a tremendous day for the township," Council President Ronald Witt said. "To have a home where residents can come, take care of business without having to go to different parts of the town is truly a special day."

Mercer County freeholders, state legislators and Robbinsville town council members were all present on Thursday along with Township Engineer Timothy McGough and Superintendent of Robbinsville Schools Steven Mayer.

"I saw the rendition of this building and it's going to be terrific," State Sen. Linda Greenstein (D-Middlesex) said. "I look forward to the ribbon cutting."

The new building will consolidate all municipal offices except the police station and municipal court. It will include a council chamber for the body's public meetings.

Project Architect William Feinberg said the building will uphold the residential and retail aspect of Route 33 by creating a "Main Street" inside so residents can walk down the hallway and easily find service counters lined up for all their needs.

"We've made sure this building is energy efficient and will be vibrant for the next 50 years," Feinberg said.

The construction – led by Scozzari Builders, Inc. – is due to be completed in June of next year.

"Our tagline is 'We build community,'" company principal Leonard Scozzari said. "I can't imagine a project more suiting than building a town hall."

The Robbinsville High School Brass Quartet played the National Anthem while Robbinsville police officers performed the ceremonial folding of the flag that will fly on the municipal building. The flag was then presented to Fried.

"I want to thank the community for standing with us and for our residents' support, trust and confidence," Fried said.

Lindsay Rittenhouse may be reached at lrittenhouse@njadvancemedia.com. Find NJ.com on Facebook.