Work Session Meeting to Focus on Special Needs Development

COURT HOUSE – Middle Township Mayor Dan Lockwood is encouraging residents to attend a work session meeting of the Middle Township Committee on Oct. 21, at 4:00 p.m. at the Middle Township Municipal Building, 33 Mechanic Street in Cape May Court House. The work session meeting will discuss a proposed affordable housing development known locally as “Patsy’s Way” that is proposed by the State of New Jersey in the Township.
“We recognize that the public has questions about this proposed affordable housing development in the Township, and quite frankly, so do elected officials”, Mayor Lockwood said. “The announcement of this proposed development happened in September with virtually no notice from the State, and it’s time for additional information be provided to the Township for our thorough review”.
The entire work session meeting is being dedicated to discussion on this proposed development. Among those invited to attend and provide more information to the public include developer Ronald Rukenstein, DCA Director of Strategic Communications/Sandy Recovery Lisa Ryan, New Jersey Redevelopment Authority Executive Director Leslie Anderson, and New Jersey State Senator Jeff Van Drew.
“Township residents have asked questions about this project and the State needs to answer them”, said Deputy Mayor Tim Donohue. “We encourage all Township residents who have questions or concerns about the project to join us at the work session meeting and we will ensure that answers are provided”.
On Sept. 6, 2013 DCA Commissioner Constable announced that the Christie administration awarded $3 million in federal Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery funds to cover the predevelopment costs of 433 affordable housing units. Middle Township is proposed to be the location of a four-acre site that will be developed into an affordable multi-family residential complex of ten single-family homes by United Cerebral Palsy of Northern Central and Southern New Jersey. The homes would benefit special needs families in financial need. Other affordable housing developments are planned throughout the State.
These funds are intended to continue the State’s ongoing efforts to revitalize Hurricane Sandy-impacted counties and address affordable housing needs created or exacerbated by the storm.