The Harding Land Trust is responsible for the open space area, the front six acres of the property, which is now open to the public.  This area, subject to the NJ Green Acres conservation easement, has to "be forever protected in its natural, scenic open and existing state.”  The easement requires public access, which includes nature study, walking, hiking, picnicking, and other such low-impact outdoor recreational pursuits.  The house and the rest of the property are not currently open to the public due to construction. Glen Alpin could become part of the Jockey Hollow section of the Patriot’s Path[1], but the land in between is privately owned and it is not yet determined when or how this will be accomplished.  

The Harding Township Committee is responsible for managing Glen Alpin, its renovation and administration.  Glen Alpin is routinely a subject of discussion in Township Committee meetings.  The Township has created a sub-committee, the Glen Alpin Steering Committee[2], to assist it in its management duties.  The Township Committee currently plans to rent out the first floor for public or private functions and the second floor as office space to a not-for-profit organization.  

First, Glen Alpin must be renovated which will be a significant construction effort.  In order to qualify for State or Federal historic preservation grants, all renovation work must comply with the standards set by the U.S. Secretary of Interiors for the historic rehabilitation of historic buildings.   Such standards require the existing historic fabric be preserved or restored and add constraints to the project.  After purchasing Glen Alpin, the Township Committee hired Watson & Henry Associates, an architecture firm specializing in restorations and preservation, to conduct a feasibility study for Glen Alpin’s renovation. Watson and Henry’s February 2005 report is one of the main sources for this article with respect to Glen Alpin’s present condition, recommended repair, and the estimated corresponding costs.  The Township has since hired Watson & Henry as the architects for Glen Alpin’s renovation including the roof replacement and exterior and interior renovations. 

Glen Alpin has 22 rooms, 3 floors and a basement totaling over 14,000 square feet.  Only the first and second floors, 9,000 square feet, are rentable as office or event space.  Considering its age, the structure appears well preserved with many details of the original 1847 house intact.  The red ceramic tile roof has structural problems, leaks, and must be replaced.  The conservatory, library, and outbuilding roofing must also be replaced.  Glen Alpin’s main section is made of local stone (‘puddingstone’).  It appears to be in reasonably good condition though it is likely to require repairs and is inappropriately covered with white paint (possibly lead-based) that will be removed. Much of the exterior trim is intact with some notable exceptions.  The front portico and west porch were previously demolished.  The exterior walkways, stairs, and terraces are in poor condition and will require reconstruction.

According to the feasibility study, “the interior of Glen Alpin is in remarkably good condition, though some changes, mainly cosmetic, that were made in the 1990s were historically inappropriate.”  Much of the trim from either the original Gothic Revival construction or the 1880’s renovation appears also to be intact.

The Township has completed asbestos remediation.  The antiquated heating system is not functioning and will have to be replaced.   An air conditioning system will be required for the intended use.  A new water service must be installed to increase capacity and to separate it from the Jean property.  Much of the interior plumbing requires replacement.  A new septic system will have to be built.  Glen Alpin has an adequate electrical service, but the interior panel and house wiring are antiquated and must be replaced. 

Glen Alpin, currently vacant, has never been used as a public or commercial building.  Improvements are required to bring it up to applicable safety and building codes, including changes to access and egress, ADA compliance, installation of adequate emergency lighting, fire prevention, and intrusion detection systems.  Car traffic issues may need to be addressed including parking and the safe entrance to and from Rt. 202.

The architect’s feasibility report has identified five construction priorities or phases as follows: 

The first renovation priority is to complete Phase 1 – the roof replacement and associated repairs.  The Township put the work out for competitive bid, but the initial responses exceeded the planned $600,000 budget so requirements were revised and re-bid.  The Township accepted a new contract costing $800,500, a 33% increase in the 2004 estimate.  The roof replacement project should be complete this December.  All visible asbestos was removed in early 2006 at a cost of one-third of the 2004 estimate.  The Township has planned for the construction of a new 1,999 gallon-per-day septic system necessary to handle a 199-person maximum occupancy.  If Phase 2 is implemented, it is expected to be finished in late 2008, with Glen Alpin ready for occupancy at that time.