A Milestone in Rebuilding a Vital Community Hub

Ewing, NJ – Ewing Township reached a major milestone today with a groundbreaking ceremony for the new Ewing Senior and Community Center (ESCC), marking the beginning of an exciting new chapter for the community.

Pictured, Ewing Mayor Bert Steinmann and members of the first responder community, including Fire, Police and EMS.

The ceremony, held at 999 Lower Ferry Road, was attended by Mayor Bert H. Steinmann, members of the Ewing Township Council, local, county, and state officials, community leaders, and residents. The event featured remarks from Mayor Steinmann, Senator Shirley K. Turner, Council President Jennifer Keyes-Maloney, Mercer County Commissioner Chair Kristin McLaughlin, Architect Vincent Myers, DIGroup; and Assemblyman Wayne DeAngelo, among others. The Ewing High School Jazz Band, led by Jason Price, provided musical performances, and Arc Mercer consumers led the Pledge of Allegiance.

“This is more than just a groundbreaking—it’s a promise fulfilled,” said Mayor Steinmann. “When fire devastated the original center in September 2022, we vowed to rebuild bigger and better, and today, we take a major step toward delivering on that commitment. This new center will be a place where our seniors, youth, and community groups can gather, connect, and thrive.”

The state-of-the-art, 70,000-square-foot facility will feature a black box theater, creative arts areas, a café, a banquet hall, an extra-large gym, an indoor track, and modern meeting spaces. Thanks to strong financial planning and support from state and federal partners, including Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman and HUD, Ewing Township secured over $8.5 million in funding, allowing the project to move forward without increasing the township’s debt service.

Pictured, Ewing Mayor Bert Steinmann and members of the building trades.

A $34 million contract for the project was awarded to Benjamin R. Harvey Co., with DIGroup Architecture serving as the architect and Remington & Vernick Engineers as the owner’s representative. Construction is being completed under a Project Labor Agreement (PLA), ensuring fair wages and high-quality craftsmanship from the skilled men and women of the building trades.

“We are incredibly grateful for the partnership and dedication of everyone who made today possible,” Mayor Steinmann added. “From our first responders who fought to save the original building, to our Township Council, community leaders, and residents who helped shape this vision—this center is a testament to what we can accomplish when we come together.”

Among those in attendance were all members of the Ewing Township Council, representatives from Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman’s office,  TCNJ President Dr. Michael Bernstein, and Ewing Schools Superintendent Dr. David Gentile, Community Affairs Director Ted Forst, as well as representatives from local nonprofit agencies, civic groups, and the Mercer-Burlington Building Trades. Ewing Business Administrator Aaron T. Watson served as emcee.