JACKSON, NJ – After sitting neglected for nearly 20 years, Jackson Township purchased Rova Farms in 2019, a historic vacation retreat for 20th century Russian Orthodox Catholics. The farm had been known globally during the 1950s and 1960s as the place to be in America in the summer if you’re a member of the church.
Since the township purchased the resort, it has fallen into further disrepair.
Jackson used to have an extremely large population of Russian migrants who came to America after the two world wars. Many settled in the Cassville section of town. Once a sprawling lakeside resort, today, all that remains of Rova Farms is the remnants of the old bar and banquet hall.
On Tuesday, the township council is awarding a bid to township pay-to-play engineering firm T&M Associates $51,000 to deliver an estimate to demolish the building.
“RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERING SERVICES WITH T&M ASSOCIATES FOR SCOPE OF WORK & FEE ESTIMATE FOR THE ROVA RESTAURANT SITE – DEMOLOTITION PROJECT IN THE AMOUNT OF $51,000.00 LOCATED AT 120 CASSVILLE ROAD,” Township resolution 193R-22 reads.
Resolution 189R-22 is a second item that will be voted on to authorize a public bid to demolish the building.