JERSEY CITY -- The 11-year renovation of the historic Apple Tree House, a two-story brick-and-fieldstone structure near Journal Square that was once owned by one of Jersey City's original settlers, may be nearing completion. 

Mayor Steve Fulop said today that the city project, which began in May 2006, is "on the goal line." 

"Everything is pretty much done," Fulop said at the annual President's Day ceremony outside the historic house. " Hopefully this spring -- well, I know this spring -- we'll have a ribbon-cutting." 

It has become a tradition in Jersey City for mayors to appear on President's Day outside the historic Academy Street house, first built around 1740, and pledge that it will be soon restored.  The restoration effort has spanned four administrations. 

Under Bret Schundler in 1999, the city purchased the structure for $450,000 for use as a museum.  In 2004, under Schundler successor Glenn D. Cunningham, the city hired a firm to begin preliminary work on the restoration.  The city said then the project would take two years. 

The original estimate for the renovation was about $1.5 million.  Fulop said today he could not say how much has been spent on the project so far.  In 2011, the city said the final cost would probably top $4 million. 

The city has said it is paying for the project with state and federal grant money. 

Edward Meehan, president of the George Washington Society of Jersey City, said the Apple Tree House's historic nature makes the restoration "very detailed and, I'm afraid, very expensive." 

Today's wreath-laying ceremony, the 33rd hosted by the George Washington Society, was held on the south end of Academy Street instead of in front of the Apple Tree House as usual because that sidewalk has been closed for the renovation. 

"We're held several sidewalk ceremonies," Meehan said. " Today we don't even have the sidewalk, but we do persevere." 

Local legend claims, without any evidence, that the Apple Tree House is where George Washington met with the Marquis de Lafayette to map Revolutionary War strategy underneath an apple tree.  It was once owned by the the Van Wagenen family, one of the area's original settlers. 

Terrence T. McDonald may be reached at tmcdonald@jjournal.com.  Follow him on Twitter @terrencemcd.  Find The Jersey Journal on Facebook.