In Montclair: Social Security Building Now For Sale

It finally happens on Tuesday.

After years of speculation about who would be interested in purchasing the long-vacant, federally owned Social Security building on Bloomfield Avenue, the U.S. General Services Administration will finally offer the property up for sale on May 12 via an online auction.

According to the sale listing, the building consists of approximately 0.6 acres, and is improved by an approximately 7,356 square foot single-story brick masonry frame office building with adjacent surface parking.

The building was constructed in 1972, and housed the Social Security Administration until 2012.

Over the past few years, several local parties have expressed interest in the building, or have put forth suggestions about its possible use:

• In 2012, the Montclair Senior Citizen Advisory Committee suggested that the building be used for a public community center
• In 2013, the Montclair Township Council officially expressed its interest in purchasing the property, although no specific uses or potential costs were discussed
• In 2013, Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen told local officials he would help them acquire the building, which Mayor Robert Jackson suggested could be used for office space, some of which could be offered to homeless organizations

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