Revival

Local officials might see the old Burger Tubing site as an opportunity to add a much-needed tax ratable. Community members could view it as the potential location for a desirable business that the town lacks.

Leaders of the Bound Brook-based Mission Baptist Church – current owners of the former Burger property at 277 Lincoln Blvd. – appear to have a different vision. At least, that’s what the congregation’s website says.

On a web page entitled, “Proyectos en Mission Iglesia Bautista,” Spanish for “Projects at Mission Baptist Church,” the congregation seeks donations to renovate the site’s rundown building to use for religious purposes.

Mission Baptist currently holds its weekend services at a Warren Township site owned by the Stonecrest Community Church.

The Mission Baptist web page offers no further information on the Lincoln Boulevard project, such as the financial goal, how much has been raised, or a target date. It describes the mission in optimistic terms. The page includes a gallery of 38 photographs depicting the interior and exterior of the building, formerly home to manufacturing processes that caused environmental contamination.

Elsewhere on the website, an email address is listed for those seeking information about Mission Baptist Church. Neither its pastor nor senior pastor has responded to an email sent by Inside – Middlesex on Wednesday, Aug. 13, asking about the status and plans for the 277 Lincoln Blvd. property.

“We are building a beautiful temple, a blessing for the community, generously donated by an anonymous entity,” the Proyectos web page reads in its English translation.

“Although the physical structure is already standing, we still need the support of generous hearts like yours to help finish the work and open our doors. This temple will be a symbol of hope, a place of healing, and a source of spirituality for many,” it continues.

“Every brick, every window, every column will be a constant reminder of the donors who believed in our mission and helped us build this sacred dream,” it reads. 

“Together we can raise the walls of this temple and illuminate the lives of our parishioners and the community at large. Your gift, however large or small, will help bring light and joy. Would you like to be part of this story of hope and rebirth, leaving a legacy of faith that will last for generations? The time is now. The opportunity is yours. A donation today can change lives tomorrow.”

S. Burger Wire and Tubing, Inc. operated on the site from 1956 through 2003, manufacturing fine round metal wire and tubing. Operations ceased in 2003 and contamination was found. At least two LLC’s owned the property before it was acquired by Mission Baptist Church in January 2021. The congregation has sought a state Department of Environmental Protection grant to fund a site cleanup, according to one internet source.

While the church website says the property was donated, an online real estate site notes that it was purchased more than four years ago, albeit for a nominal amount of $15,000.

The 277 Lincoln Blvd. property currently has an assessed value of $625,000, according to the municipal website. Of that total, $600,000 worth of value is related to the land.

Like most of the borough’s former industrial sites, the assessed value of the old Burger property has dropped in recent years. The municipality will see the amount of tax revenue generated by the parcel decrease in calendar 2025. Mission Baptist Church paid $14,462 in 2024 property taxes. The bill has been reduced to $13,250 this year, a decrease of 8.3%.

Mission Baptist recently settled litigation with 277 Lincoln Boulevard, LLC, a prior owner of the property. The LLC is paying the congregation $65,000, according to the terms of a Judicial Consent Order.

Middlesex Mayor Jack Mikolajczyk has mentioned the need for new tax ratables and speculated that eminent domain might be a tool to spur redevelopment. Eminent domain is the governmental power to take private property for public use, even if its owner does not want to sell. It comes with the requirement that the owner be justly compensated for the fair market value of the property.

Eminent domain sometimes proves controversial for governing bodies that use it. It remains to be seen what the fallout might be if the borough moves to seize property from a religious organization.

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