I worked at this Holmdel facility, contributing to Bluetooth before it was mainstream, as a 16-year-old high school summer student, and again as a college Junior working on life-saving cell phone technology. I can offer only personal experience and humble opinion.

Every day I set foot in this facility, I felt honored to walk the same halls as Nobel Prize winners, brilliant scientists, and the superstars and idols of the research and development world. A brisk ascent to the top of the big green hill offered a quasi-religious experience for a young technophile, and gazing up at the worlds first RADAR antennae left me with inspiration, and a sense of awe and wonder. My supervisor comically referred to them as “Big Toys” – with a smirk that revealed his deep and abiding RESPECT for the decades of scientific discovery these inventions stood for. And I always felt that these treasures should be shared with the world.

With the acquisition of this property, there stands a one-time immense opportunity to hunt for, dig up, gather and present the remarkable stories of remarkable individuals who have paced Holmdel’s halls – seeking answers to impossible questions, and devoting their lives to connecting people across the globe. Today, we take their work for granted – we have here a simple and powerful way to honor their legacy.

No doubt, the facility as it stands will need some dedicated individuals to convert the site to a museum-worthy historical preservation site, but in a country which increasingly idolizes sports stars and Hollywood celebrities, a little inspiration for scientifically minded youth could go a long way. It certainly did for me.

Alternatively, this developer can choose to replace the history-laden laboratories with office space. The thought of such a rich and landmark-worthy estate buried beneath the sands of time truly saddens me.

The fact remains that this facility stands as a rare gem of scientific legacy for both NJ and the United States. I can already see the class-trip school busses rolling in. Where else in this country will you find this kind opportunity for preservation of innovation history?

Thank you for your open ears and hearts.

How about starting an online petition? http://www.petitiononline.com/petition.html

I’d sign for sure.