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Paterson preservationists urge Passaic County to fund Van Houten House stabilization
Summary
Speakers at the county's Open Space/Farmland/Historic Preservation Trust Fund hearing urged the board to approve matching funds to stabilize and rehabilitate the Van Houten House in Westside Park, describing urgent deterioration and historic significance.
At a July 14 public hearing on the 2026 Passaic County Open Space, Farmland and Historic Preservation Trust Fund, multiple preservation advocates urged the Board of County Commissioners to support a grant request to stabilize and restore the Van Houten House in Paterson's Westside Park.
John Franco Orcomiti, Executive Director of the Paterson Historic Preservation Commission, described the structure as "part of the city of Paterson's ownership since the 18 eighty's" and said emergency stabilization was needed after a 2014 fire. Franco said the city's request seeks matching funds for a New Jersey Historic Trust grant and called the Van Houten House "a very unique structure" that merits county support.
Speakers including Tony Vancheri (veterans council president), Joyce Corbeau (former Paterson Historic Preservation Commissioner), Mike Straka (resident and park volunteer), and Richard Walter (Historic Preservation Commissioner) emphasized the building's ties to local and national history and urged timely intervention. Corbeau said the building "dates back to '74 1741" and noted listings on local, state and national historic registers; attendees warned that without action the structure could face demolition.
After the testimony the board moved to close the public hearing and recorded roll-call votes to advance the recommended awards for projects over $100,000.
The hearing included requests for matching funds and references to coordinated work with the city government and the New Jersey Historic Trust to stabilize the historic Van Houten House and plan for its longer-term rehabilitation.
