County receives final reimbursement
for rebuilding Thompson Park Visitor Center 

George Dittmar, insurance representative from the Dittmar Agency of Colts Neck, presents the final insurance reimbursement check for the rebuilding of the Thompson Park Visitor Center to Freeholder Lillian G. Burry, Park System Director James J. Truncer, Supervising Historic Preservation Specialist Gail Hunton and Chairman of the Board of Recreation Commissioners Edward J. Loud.

LINCROFT, NJ  – The Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders has received the final $1,597,959.87 reimbursement check for the reconstruction of the Thompson Park Visitor Center.
 
The 20,000-square-foot colonial revival mansion was destroyed by fire on Feb. 6, 2006. The structure has been rebuilt and reopened to the public on July 12, 2009.
 
 “We are pleased to have this beloved building retake its place at the heart of the Park System,” said Freeholder Lillian G. Burry, liaison to the Monmouth County Park System. “The new Thompson Park Visitor Center has been rebuilt on the original mansion site with similar architectural character and improved access and space for public recreation use. This check caps the rebuilding effort and closes the book on this chapter in county history.”
 
Reconstruction of the building and related costs were covered by an insurance settlement agreement between the Hartford Fire Insurance Company and the Board of Chosen Freeholders in November 2006. The county has been reimbursed $ 9,057,576.69.
 
The total reimbursement amount was based on the county’s preliminary construction cost estimate and the insurance payment to the County for the fire loss will be for the actual cost of reconstruction. Replacement of furniture, office equipment, architect fees, construction management and other costs were also included in the final insurance settlement.
 
The new building matches the original yellow and dark green exterior colors and features the same white Doric columns in front as before. Other exterior features replicate the distinctive windows and doors from the original mansion and incorporate chimneys and porch elements salvaged from the fire.Even though the architectural design is derived from the former historic structure, it is a modern building with accessibility at all levels, an elevator and a full sprinkler system.
 
The Dittmar Agency of Colts Neck coordinated the insurance claim on behalf of the county. The architectural plan was developed by Farewell Mills Gatsch Architects of Princeton in conjunction with Park System staff. Reconstruction of the building was completed by M&M Construction of Union with construction management by Epic Management of Piscataway.

Often referred to as the “crown jewel” of the Park System, the 110-year old Visitor Center was the former home of Geraldine Thompson, whose 215-acre land donation in 1968 helped establish Thompson Park. The building is located on Newman Springs Road/Route 520 in Lincroft.

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