COUNTY DEEDS WILLIAMS CENTER TO BOROUGH OF RUTHERFORD

(HACKENSACK, NJ) – This afternoon the County of Bergen and the Borough of Rutherford held a signing ceremony to commemorate the official property transfer of the “William Carlos Williams Center for Performing Arts” from County ownership to the Borough. The signing follows an announcement made last week by County Executive Jim Tedesco and Acting Rutherford Mayor Mark Goldsack to return the facility to the Borough to ensure that the property’s future rested in the hands of borough residents and the local governing body.

The County initiated the sale of the property through resolution at their August 4 public meeting. The Borough of Rutherford resolved to accept ownership of the property on August 9. This afternoon, County Executive Jim Tedesco executed a deed officially transferring the title of the William Center to the Borough of Rutherford at a public signing ceremony in Hackensack.

Bergen County Executive James J. Tedesco remarked, “I am thrilled to be able to transfer control of the Williams Center to the Borough of Rutherford. As a former Mayor, I understand the importance of local control and local issues of importance, and have always sought to work with the Borough and its officials on the future of this facility. I commend the current governing body for their efforts to ensure this property remains a cultural center for Rutherford.”

Rutherford’s Acting Mayor Mark Goldsack added, “I would like to thank County Executive Tedesco for working with the Borough to develop a solution that will benefit Rutherford residents and South Bergen as a whole. I’d also like to thank Councilman Tom Mullahey for his hard work in seeing this solution come to fruition and dedication to maintaining a center for the arts and culture in Rutherford.”

The County of Bergen had previously owned the Williams Center since acquiring the title in September 1987. The facility operated under an expired lease agreement with the Center’s Board of Trustees for $1 since 1992. The 642-seat capacity Newman Theatre was shuttered in October 2012 due to safety concerns following damage caused by Superstorm Sandy. The three-screen movie theatre remains open for operation.