The application for Center House was submitted to
federal housing officials in 2000. But while Kaeding and the center found
answers to fund the building, the plans were delayed because of opposition
within the city's then-Board of Adjustment, which could not come up with enough
votes to approve the project.
Why did the press fail to mention that the last council helped
Father Bob get the OK for his government funding, only so his investors
could turn a nice profit forever on the a new building with tax abatements. Did
anybody know a profit could be made helping the less fortunate.
Why did the press fail to mention that this 25 unit apartment
building was being build in a commercial /business zone by the railroad
tracks.
Why did the press fail to mention the building's owners was a
private for profit organization renting the building to a non profit
organization. The center will pay the city 10% of rental income to the city for
it share of taxes. A new $4,000,000.00 building would pay the city taxman
160,000.00 (4% tax rate) if the use was commercial. Now the city may collect
$25,000.00 in taxes a year.
Why did the press fail to mention that parking as well as other
issues was bad for many business owners close this project.
Why did the press fail to mention that a nice old hotel in the
redevelopment zone could have been used for this project. Or in a prettier
or more affluent town close to AP.
Why did the press fail to mention what was in the land deal the center
made with M.D. Sass. or the profits M.D. Sass made on the tax liens.
My concern was that the Center House should be in a nice
supportive environment, not by the railroad tracks. In NYC, the Bailey
House is in what was a very nice place, Christopher St. & Hudson
River.
Nobody, I believe, doubts that Monmouth County needs The
Center or supportive people like Father Bob, Eileen Sonnier, Mary Ann
Vitiello, and the last council. My other concern is that the
press supports and likes the idea that AP should be the hub
for social services for Monmouth County. That is why it is important to go
to as many meetings as possible to maybe hear what the press does not have
the space to write.
Ground is broken for Center House
Asbury Park facility to house 25 adults with AIDS and HIV
BY
NANCY SHIELDSCOASTAL
MONMOUTH BUREAU
ASBURY PARK — The Rev. Robert
Kaeding, volunteers and government funding agencies celebrated Monday that —
after years of hard work and at times, opposing forces — construction of Center
House, a home for 25 single adults living with HIV and AIDS, is beginning at 806
Third Ave.
Kaeding, the center's executive director, founded the
organization here in 1992 to provide support services for people with HIV/AIDS.
However, he and his volunteers knew that many patients end up homeless and that
permanent housing was essential to improving their lives.
"In the course
of a year, we help over 100 individuals with emergency housing. . . . and the
goal always was to help people have their own place," Kaeding said at
groundbreaking ceremonies Monday afternoon. "We've seen the need for many years
for a more supportive environment and, thus, Center House."
The application for Center House was submitted to federal housing
officials in 2000. But while Kaeding and the center found answers to fund the
building, the plans were delayed because of opposition within the city's
then-Board of Adjustment, which could not come up with enough votes to approve
the project.
The center filed a discrimination suit in federal
court, and the City Council in the end did not defend that suit, allowing the
project to move ahead.
Eileen Sonnier, then the chair of the zoning board
and a strong proponent of the center's plan, made it a point to attend the
groundbreaking.
"I'm so glad this is finally happening," she
said.
Kaeding hopes to see it open by December 2006. The total cost of
just the building is $3,927,000, he said.
"It's a measure of a
compassionate society and its government of how it treats the most vulnerable in
its population," said Charles Richman, the acting Department of Community
Affairs commissioner. "This town, this project, Father Kaeding, all who have
made this possible, measure up to the highest of that standard."
Richman
said that $350,000 in direct state funding and $450,000 in tax credits will
bring $3.67 million of equity into the project and ensure that it is built with
no debt.
"It is I who am honored being here with you," Richman said. "I
don't know where I'll be, Father, but invite me back when you open the front
door."
Funding for Center House was provided by the New Jersey Housing
and Mortgage Finance Agency, Monmouth County Home Funds, the Federal Home Loan
Bank of New York and the federal Department of Housing and Urban
Development.
Mary Ann Vitiello, an Asbury Park resident and HIV clinical
nurse specialist, worked locally with HIV and AIDS patients for 15 years and for
the past three years has worked in Ethiopia with the University of Washington's
International Training & Education Center on HIV.
"This is very
emotional for me," she said. "We had to fight years ago to get any attention
down here in Asbury."
Bruce Flynn, a Manasquan faux-finish artist who
formerly ran his business in Ocean Grove, said he was diagnosed with HIV five
years ago and started volunteering at the center six months ago.
"There's
a strong correlation between medical survival, emotional survival and housing,"
said Flynn, 48. "I hope to be with the center as long as I can. They've done a
lot for me, and I appreciate it."
A HUD grant in 2000 was credited with
making it possible for the center to develop the project. Richard Kotuski,
director of the HUD Newark office, said HUD also is supplying $800,000 in
support services over a three-year period, and that amount will be
renewed.
