WESTWOOD, N.J.—At the same meeting where they learned the Westwood Train Station was just listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Mayor Ray Arroyo and the Borough Council heard a novel proposal toward restoring and reusing a former mayor’s home near Borough Hall.
At the governing body’s Feb. 4 work session, Lauren Letizia, chair of the Westwood Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) and vice president of the Westwood Heritage Society, and Camille Sasena, vice chair of the HPC, proposed a unique new life of service for 84 Washington Ave.
They described the circa-1880 structure as an integral piece of Westwood’s history for its role as the home of former mayor, real estate developer, and Pascack Valley Hospital Board of Trustees President Arthur A. Berdais—and for its survival as a unique example of Victorian-era Second Empire architecture used in residential construction in the borough.
The site was the home of Berdais during his tenure as mayor of Westwood, 1956–1957. Now owned by Visions Federal Credit Union, which operates a branch on an adjacent lot, it stands vacant and without its fixtures.
Specifically, the HPC requested the governing body explore acquiring the property for development through a new public/private partnership “to encourage preservation of the heritage of the Borough of Westwood.
“In addition to providing a centralized location for archiving and display of Westwood history in a permanent, climate controlled museum setting, ‘The Hub’ would also serve as a catalyst for local tourism, basis for economic development, and locus for a Westwood art and cultural initiative,” the presenters said.
The presenters said The Hub would link to existing assets and initiatives in Bergen County and “could add significant value for residents and businesses while attracting new commerce and interest” to the borough.
“There are no local, direct comparisons to what we propose. The Hub pulls from many models that elevate historic preservation beyond the traditional ‘house museum’ to foster a unique opportunity which fuses heritage, tourism, commerce, community, and more under one historic roof to capitalize on Westwood’s unique role within the Pascack Valley,” Letizia said.
At the meeting, Robert Hibler, the borough’s historian and chairman of the Westwood Heritage Society, added his support for the partnership.
“Westwood in so many ways is a unique place for us to live and others to visit. This particular property in my mind is like part of a necklace and this would be another diamond or pearl in that string,” he said.
He added, “You walk downtown and you can see plaques on the buildings, which the Heritage Society has provided information for, so that in a very short time people who are interested in the town can visit and get a feeling for what we’re all about.”
Hibler said, “You see people coming off the train and they’re here to shop, they’re here to walk around, but unlike Ridgewood which used to be like this but has gotten so commercial, so big, Westwood is a walkable town. Westwood us a wonderful place to just wander around. And this would be another place for people to visit.”
The property was brought to the attention of the HPC in fall 2018 by the Westwood Heritage Society. Since then, Letizia said, the HPC has turned its attention to the value of the property to the history and continued vitality of the Borough of Westwood.
The clock is ticking. The presenters explained that, with the assistance of former council liaison Erin Collins, it was discovered that preservation requirements set forth in the 2009 developer’s agreement between the Borough of Westwood and Paragon Federal Credit Union are set to expire this March.
“Thankfully, the property owner has expressed interest in engaging with the Borough to explore the future preservation and use of this property,” the presenters said.
Meanwhile, the HPC is preparing a certificate of eligibility application for submission to the State Historic Preservation Office and has engaged preservationist Tim Adriance to conduct a designation report, expected in March, to assess potential for local designation as well as State and National Registers of Historic Places listing, each of which would open grant funding opportunities for acquisition and operations.
The presenters said the home is the most intact example of the Second Empire style in the Borough of Westwood.
Key defining features include the mansard roof with a concave curve, the double entrance door, near ground-level wraparound porch with chamfered posts on plinths, and paired bracketed cornice under each of the 2.5 stories’ eaves. The clapboard siding was repainted in fall 2019.
Berdais brothers made strong mark
In addition to his governmental role, Arthur and his brother Eric Berdais had critical roles in the development of the Borough of Westwood during the first half of the 20th century.
Together they owned and operated Berdais Ford (later Valley Ford) on Madison Avenue and later, through their business’s prosperity, purchased large plots of property throughout the borough.
In 1948, Eric Berdais purchased a home at 78 Washington Ave. and while living there, became president of the Chamber of Commerce and director and Chairman of the Board of Westwood Savings & Loan.
That home was demolished in 2005 to build Paragon Federal Credit Union (now Visions FCU).
During his brief mayorship, Arthur advocated for the construction of a community hospital, now Hackensack Meridian Health Pascack Valley Medical Center.
Before his death in 1975, he had developed Westwood Hills Apartment Complex on Kinderkamack Road and Westwood Plaza Shopping Center on Broadway.
For their mark on the borough, the family name was memorialized through the naming of Berdais Court.
Questions to explore before a decision is made
Following the meeting, Letizia told Pascack Press, “The governing body seemed to be receptive to considering the proposal and asked important questions about the limitations of the space, long-term funding, and comparative undertakings in other municipalities.”
She said, “There are still many details to be considered, many of which will be illuminated as borough counsel engages in further conversation with the property owner and the relevant parties have access to the space for feasibility assessments. We look forward to continuing the conversation.”
Letizia joined the Westwood Historic Preservation Commission in 2014 and has been chair since 2015. She was elected vice president of the Westwood Heritage Society in 2019 and was nominated to the Westwood Planning Board as an alternate in 2020.
Sasena joined the Westwood Historic Preservation Commission in 2018 and has been vice chair since 2019. She received an MS in historic preservation from Pratt Institute and holds a BA in history from Fordham University. She is an historic preservation assistant at the New Jersey State Historic Preservation Office.
— Significant story background is drawn—with gratitude—from Letizia and Sasena’s presentation to the governing body.