Ewing Township officials, community leaders and local residents recently gathered at 999 Lower Ferry Rd. to break ground on the new Ewing Township Senior & Community Center (ESCC). The event, hosted by Mayor Bert H. Steinmann and the Township Council, marks the start of construction for a new state-of-the-art 70,000-square-foot facility designed to support the township’s growing needs and replace the former structure, damaged by a devastating fire in 2022.

The building, designed by DIGroup Architecture (DIG), doubles the size of the original facility. In addition to modern amenities for seniors, youth programs and community venues, the project also involves restoration of the adjacent Louis I. Kahn-designed bath house, a historically significant structure.

“The new Ewing Township Senior & Community Center is designed to be more than just a building – it is a place where residents of all ages can come together, access vital resources and build a stronger sense of community,” said Vince Myers, president and co-founding principal of DIG. “We are proud to contribute to a project that replaces what was lost while creating a modern, accessible space that will serve Ewing residents of all ages for many years to come.”

Upon completion, the ESCC will stand as a vibrant hub for recreational, social and wellness programs, according to Myers who is a long-time township resident. Reflecting Ewing Township’s commitment to community engagement and accessibility, as well as expanded services and new state-of-the-art amenities, the center is designed to support connections and learning.

Once known as the Trenton Jewish Community Center and Day Camp, the ESCC property is a notable resource on both the National Register of Historic Places and the New Jersey Register of Historic Places.

Kahn, an Estonian-born architect based in Philadelphia, was hired to design the entire complex in the mid-1950s when the idea of a multi-use community center was a unique concept. Ironically, his completed plans for the community center were abandoned once the bath house was constructed. While the bath house was spared by the fire, it was in desperate need of repairs and an overall visual refresh to bring it back to its original grandeur.