Public bathroom - file photo
Public Bathroom - File Photo

Freehold’s Hall of Records Annex to undergo $572K renovation for accessibility upgrades

Posted by
1 min read
August 19, 2025

Freehold, NJ – Monday — Monmouth County is investing more than half a million dollars in long-needed restroom renovations and accessibility improvements at the Hall of Records Annex, after selecting a Red Bank-based firm to lead the architectural and engineering work.

The County Commissioners approved a $572,103.38 contract with Kellenyi Associates, PA, doing business as Kellenyi Johnson Wagner, to design and oversee enhancements that will bring the aging government building up to modern accessibility standards. The facility, located in downtown Freehold, houses vital administrative offices and sees frequent public use.

According to the resolution, funding for the project will come from both the Community Development Block Grant ($190,000) and the county’s capital engineering budget ($382,103.38). The project was initiated through the county’s quality-based selection process, which included a review of technical proposals and qualifications submitted earlier this year.

The upgrades aim to modernize public restrooms and improve ADA compliance throughout the annex, enhancing usability for residents and staff. Officials cited the need to address longstanding structural and code-related deficiencies, ensuring the building is accessible to individuals with disabilities.

The project marks a significant step in Monmouth County’s ongoing efforts to improve public infrastructure while prioritizing accessibility across government-owned facilities. Additional services beyond the approved amount must be pre-authorized by the Board before any work is performed.

The resolution also specifies that the contract is awarded as a professional service under the state’s Local Public Contracts Law, exempting it from competitive bidding requirements.


Key Points

  • Monmouth County awarded a $572,103.38 contract for restroom and accessibility renovations at the Hall of Records Annex in Freehold.
  • Kellenyi Johnson Wagner of Red Bank will handle architectural and engineering services.
  • Funding is provided by both a federal block grant and the county’s capital improvement fund.

Freehold’s historic Hall of Records Annex is getting a modern accessibility overhaul with a $572K investment.

Phil Stilton is the Editor and Publisher of Shore News Network, an independent digital newsroom providing original reporting on New Jersey, national news, government, public policy, public safety, courts, and community affairs.

As founder of the publication, Stilton leads editorial strategy, investigative reporting, and daily newsroom operations while overseeing coverage that reaches millions of readers annually.

With extensive experience covering municipal government, county government, state legislatures, elections, law enforcement, emergency management, and public records, Stilton specializes in translating complex government actions into clear, factual reporting. His work frequently relies on primary source documents, including court filings, legislation, public meeting records, election finance disclosures, government databases, police reports, and Freedom of Information and Open Public Records Act (OPRA) requests. He has reported extensively on local government accountability, taxpayer spending, campaign finance, public corruption investigations, infrastructure, public safety, and the policies affecting New Jersey residents.

Under Stilton's editorial leadership, Shore News Network has grown into one of New Jersey's largest independent digital news organizations, publishing thousands of original news articles each year while providing breaking news coverage, investigative reporting, and analysis across state and local government. The publication's reporting is routinely sourced from official government agencies, public officials, court records, and firsthand documentation, with a commitment to transparency, attribution, corrections when warranted, and clearly distinguishing factual reporting from opinion.

Stilton's journalism follows established newsroom standards emphasizing accuracy, verification, fairness, and accountability. Every effort is made to verify information through official records and multiple reliable sources before publication. His reporting is intended to provide readers with timely, well-documented information that helps them understand the issues affecting their communities, while maintaining editorial independence from political parties, government agencies, advocacy organizations, and commercial interests.

Readers can submit story tips, corrections, public records, or media inquiries through the official Shore News Network website or its verified social media channels. Shore News Network welcomes corrections and updates when new information becomes available as part of its ongoing commitment to accurate and transparent journalism.

Don't Miss

Exit mobile version