Holmdel Township Dropping $5 Million to Preserve National Historic Landmark
Holmdel Township Committee announced that it has successfully negotiated the preservation of Crawford Hill and the Horn Antenna. through an understanding with Crawford Hill Holdings LLC the property owner. “This breakthrough will allow future generations to observe the Horn Antenna, a National Historic Landmark said Mayor D.J. Luccarelli. It’s located within Holmdel with views that can be observed from the highest point in Monmouth County, all part of a sprawling 35-acre public park.
Purchase Price
Under the terms of the agreement, the Township will acquire the Crawford Hill property, including the Horn Antenna, for a net sale price of $4.75 million. The transaction will involve a purchase price of $5.5 million, with Crawford Hill Holdings donating $750,000 back to the Township for improvements to Crawford Hill. The money is expected to be used to preserve the Horn Antenna, repave access roads, and complete potential improvements such as a visitor center.
The acquisition will be funded through the Township’s Open Space Trust Fund without any adverse impact on taxpayers. The negotiated settlement will allow the Township to obtain title to Crawford Hill quickly. This will prevent any litigation exposure to the Township over the value of the property. “This settlement brings a successful end to our year-long effort to preserve Crawford Hill and the Horn Antenna upon terms that are responsible and will not impact Holmdel taxpayers,” said Deputy Mayor Rocco Impreveduto.
Planned Uses for the Site
The Township will also partner with Crawford Hill Holdings for the adaptive reuse of the former Nokia building. The Township will adopt a redevelopment plan that allows for specific uses to ensure that site impacts are generally consistent with those when the building was occupied. These uses include office, medical, health, research lab, and educational facilities. The plan will prohibit and prevent any residential development on Lot 7, including a single-family development, multi-family development, townhouse development, assisted living development, and continuing care facilities.
“I am grateful to the Township Committee, the Township’s staff and professionals, and the members of the public that have supported our effort to preserve the Horn Antenna and prevent impacts such as high-density housing,” said Mayor Luccarelli. “I also want to extend my appreciation to Rakesh Antala and the members of Crawford Hill Holdings for negotiating in good faith and reaching this agreement.”
8 Seemingly Unreal Places to Add to Your Travel Bucket List
Antelope Canyon, Arizona
This Arizona canyon was naturally carved by rainwater streams within the sandstone. The Navajo Nation gave it the name ‘The place where water runs through rocks.’ Visit Arizona explains that the Upper Antelope Canyon tour is more frequented due to increased sunlight and towering walls reaching 120 feet. Alternatively, the Lower Antelope Canyon tour is equally remarkable, providing visitors with an immersive encounter among the swirling sandstone walls.
Grand Prismatic Spring, Wyoming
Among the world’s largest springs, the Grand Prismatic measures an expansive 370 feet in diameter, exceeding the size of a football field. Its vibrant appearance stems from bands of orange, yellow, and green that encircle the deep blue waters. These diverse colors originate from different strains of thermophile bacteria, thriving in the progressively cooler waters around the spring, as explained by Yellowstone National Park. For a bird’s-eye-like view of the Grand Prismatic, they suggest visitors follow the half-mile Fairy Falls trail to a lookout.
The Door to Hell, Turkmenistan
Located in Turkmenistan’s Karakum Desert, the Door to Hell is a large fiery crater. It emerged when a natural gas field accidentally caught fire in 1971 and has been burning continuously since then, according to National Geographic. A well-visited tourist spot, the Door to Hell permits visitors to hike down into the crater for a close view of the flames and an opportunity to experience the unique atmosphere of the site. The Door to Hell, also referred to as the Darvaza Gas Crater, is located in a rural part of the country.
Diamond Beach, Iceland
Found along Iceland’s South Coast, the Diamond Beach is a volcanic black sand shoreline adjacent to the Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon. Ice blocks from the glacier lagoon wash ashore after breaking into smaller pieces at sea, as mentioned in the Diamond Beach Travel Guide. The beach is also a natural habitat for seals.
Mendenhall Glacier Caves, Alaska
According to the Tongass National Forest, the Mendenhall Glacier is among the numerous expansive glaciers originating from the Juneau Icefield, an area spanning 1500 square miles of rock, snow, and ice. The glacier gradually advances under the influence of gravity, descending down the slope. Over time, it carves the bedrock and erodes during its 13-mile path until it reaches Mendenhall Lake.
Thor’s Well, Oregon
Located on the Oregon coast near Cape Perpetua, there’s a large sinkhole that appears to swallow seawater continuously, resembling a bottomless pit. According to Yachats Oregon, it’s often called the “drainpipe of the Pacific.” They explain that the well is actually a hole in the rock that gives the impression of draining ocean water. Some researchers believe this well might have started as a sea cave shaped by waves. Over time, its roof likely collapsed, creating openings at the top and bottom, which spray ocean water.
Crooked Forest, Poland
Found close to the town of Gryfino in West Pomerania, Poland, the Crooked Forest consists of 400 peculiarly contorted pine trees. As revealed by Discovery, these pine trees were planted approximately in 1930, back when the area was part of the German province of Pomerania. Starting from the ground, the pine trees exhibit a distinctive feature: they grow with a sharp 90-degree bend towards the north, before gracefully straightening up towards the sky.
Pink Beach, Padar Island, Komodo National Park, Indonesia
The beach is named for its pink sand, which comes from tiny organisms in the coral reefs nearby. Visitors can swim, snorkel, and see marine life like sea turtles and manta rays in the clear water. The beach also has great views of hills and turquoise waters.
