On Jan. 12, Drew and the Borough of Madison reached an agreement intended to “permanently preserve the Drew Forest while allowing for the sale and strategic redevelopment of other university-owned land along Madison Avenue,” according to a Drew press release.
”These agreements represent the culmination of years of collaboration among the University, the Borough, elected officials and community partners,” elaborates the release. It explains how the Borough plans to “acquire” the 47.3 acres of Forest land in order to sustain it as a vital linchpin to the local ecosystem.
Drew will also sell some of its additional lands as well, mainly around Madison House, in order to support the construction of affordable housing.
Initial talks over the deal in 2024 sparked controversy due to their inclusion of campus buildings and areas like the Sitterly parking lot in the sale—a “disservice to our commuter students who rely on accessible parking…[that] completely disregards a vital student population,” protested Benjamin Castro (C’25) at the time—while this year’s release stipulates that the agreement has significant environmental benefits. It adds that the Forest plays a “vital regional role” in providing access and resources to about 22 acres of valuable trails and aquifers.
Drew says that the agreement reflects “a historic level of collaboration” among leaders all across the chain, and that the Borough and University showed how “both visionary and practical” outcomes are possible. It adds that the agreement could also be used as a base for other future communities and their partner institutions could be able to collaborate and mutually benefit from changes just like this.
Former Congresswoman and current New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill congratulated everyone involved. “In Congress, I worked with state and local leaders to deliver millions of dollars in federal funding to preserve the Drew Forest, and I am excited that Drew University and the Borough of Madison have reached an agreement that both protects our natural resources while expanding access to housing that is affordable in Morris County.”
Mayor Robert Conley and Drew President Hilary Link also joined in, with Conley calling it a “testament to what can be achieved when we work together toward a common goal.”
Conley and Link also emphasized a fundraising goal set by the Friends of Drew Forest, an organization formed to protect the interests of the natural life within the Forest and its biodiversity. The Friends’ campaign goal will be $5 million to fund the purchase, they said.
This deal marks a significant step in the process of negotiations over the Drew Forest. Calling it a “landmark initiative,” the release says that more information about planning, public input and project progress “will be shared as the process advances.”
Sabr Keres-Siddiqui is a junior majoring in political science & minoring in sociology and anthropology.
