Mayor Mahr thanks Senate President Scutari for Supporting Critical Project
Mayor Colleen Mahr is proud to announce that the Borough of Fanwood has received a $500,000 state grant as part of the recently signed FY2026 State Budget that will support the restoration of the historic Fanwood Station. The Station was built in 1874 in the popular Victorian Carpenter Gothic style and was part of the new rail line from Westfield to Plainfield. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The railroad played a crucial role in the history of Fanwood from its very founding to the present time ensuring that this structure remains preserved is a priority. It holds the distinction of being the oldest train station in Union County. The state grant will support existing efforts by Mayor Mahr and the Borough Council to restore the historic structure.
“The historic Fanwood Train Station is one of our community’s most iconic and beloved landmarks and I’m ecstatic that we have received this $500,000 grant to help support the Borough of Fanwood’s efforts to restore it and preserve its historic character and appeal,” said Mayor Mahr. “On behalf of the people of Fanwood, I want to thank Senate President Scutari for his strong advocacy which ensured Fanwood received this much-needed funding to support our important historic preservation effort.”
Key improvements that are planned at the station include replacing the windows on the upper levels, repairing damaged wood, removing multiple layers of paint and fully repainting the building’s exterior, and proactively addressing minor structural concerns. The Borough’s Historic Preservation Commission led by Chair Joan Skubish has worked with lead architect and Fanwood resident Michael Debiasse of Debiasse & Seminara on surveying the site and presenting officials with a detailed restoration plan that will then be forwarded to the state’s Historic Preservation Office within the Department of Environmental Protection for final approval.
