"This is a huge decision," Executive Director Nathan Rudy said Monday. "It was a hard decision."
The Tri-County Red Cross serves 15 of Union County's 21 municipalities, as well as four in Somerset County and three in Middlesex County. Its current building at 332 West Front Street, the former Gregory's Music Center, was donated to the agency in 1977, Rudy said.
All current services to Plainfield will remain in effect, Rudy said. No timetable has been announced for the relocation.
The Westfield-Mountainside Chapter of the American Red Cross, at 321 Elm Street in Westfield, has been serving the community for over 85 years, according to its web site.
--Bernice Paglia
How cynical can I be?
ReplyDeleteIf leaving Plainfield helps with recruiting volunteers, increasing donations and better serving larger populations then it's a wise move.
ReplyDeleteGosh, how about moving into some of the empty space at Muhlenberg? There's certainly lots of room there. Wouldn't the Red Cross be interested? Is Solaris the problem?
ReplyDeleteWe should be able to keep them in Plainfield where they are so helpful to our community!
Why not?
This is a sign of the times. They have very limited parking where they are now. Limited room to expand because of the lack of parking. What better way to cut back on expenses to put more money into programs and support than to combine into another location. And with all the crime taking place, what incentive is there to stay?
ReplyDeleteThere's lots of parking at Muhlenberg and lots of room for them to expand. They should check out that possibility. Plainfield needs them, and it's their home. Westfield can afford to live without OUR Red Cross chapter!
ReplyDeleteDont get your hopes up with seeing anything at Muhlenburg any time soon. The city cant get their act together with what they have, let alone try to get something like a Summit Medical Group type of end user there. The buildings are old and will require major renovations to make them feasible for multi tenant use. The Red Cross has been looking to relocate for some time now. What has the city done to keep them here? What have they offered? Maybe they could use the basement of the Teppers building or the Armory? Sorry, but its too little too late. While it would be easy to blame the city, I think it is just the economics of the times. Anything to save money has to be considered, merging is the way of the future. Maybe we can merge the PMUA into something other than the PMUA?? Yes, thats a dig.
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