The Lakewood Community Coalition recently hosted a meeting at the Strand Theater in Lakewood for faith leaders, community leaders, representatives, students, and educators to foster collaboration.
A key concern discussed was the need for a new Code Blue warming center in Lakewood.
Jennifer Hakim from Monarch Housing Associates highlighted that a Code Blue Warming site is a critical resource for the community during harsh winter conditions and that Lady Erica Frazer and Pastor Frazer of Greater Bethel Church of God who have been operating the existing warming center in Lakewood require a new location to continue serving the community.
Hmmm....
The Township used to operate its own warming center at the community center at 20 4th Street. They gave it away to make way for an expansion of the Kikar Shabbos shopping center.
The original agreement specified that the shopping center developers needed to construct a new community center at another location prior to shutting down the original community center.
But... funny thing is... the Township then turned a blind eye and permitted the community center to be shuttered and demolished prior to construction of a new community center.
In fact, the Township even relinquished the developer from needing to construct a new community center ever.
It's quite a funny story in fact!
Back in 2018, there was a 1.71 acres Township-owned lot at 20 4th Street, adjacent to the Kikar Shabbos shopping center, which included a community center, playground and basketball court.
In February 2018, a massive agreement was executed between the Lakewood Development Corporation and Bais Rivka Rochel.
That agreement discusses 3 separate lots, which were owned by these 2 parties:
LDC owned
1) 301 Monmouth Avenue, Block 160 Lot 1.03
2) 20 4th Street, Block 161 Lot 2
BRR owned
3) 305 Monmouth Avenue, Block 160 Lot 1.02
The plan was for LDC to give their 2 lots to BRR, and for BRR to demolish the mixed-use building that was on their own lot, (305 Monmouth Avenue) and to construct a public parking lot with appropriate lighting, as well as to complete improvements to the parking lot on the LDC property (301 Monmouth Avenue) by installing lighting fixtures and adding parking spaces. Both of these properties were to be dedicated for public parking use for the land in perpetuity.
The agreement does not specify what BRR would build on the community center lot (20 4th Street) rather it stated that BRR would receive this lot and all structures thereon in its "as-is" condition, and they would build a new community center at John Patrick park and they would maintain the original community center until completion of construction of the new community center.
Ok. Sounds like not too bad of a deal, coupled with the assurance that no one will stay out in the cold winter nights.
So, what went wrong? How did the community center get demolished with no new center ever constructed at John Patrick park?
Well... you see...
In November 2020, just before the onset of the winter when the community center would be used as the Township's Code Blue homeless shelter, the Township's Inspection Department mysteriously appeared and determined the community center to be "hazardous" and they shuttered its doors. Boom!
At the same time, the new owners of the community center ever so quietly struck a brand new deal with the Township: In lieu of constructing a new community center at John Patrick park - and importantly, waiting until the new community center is constructed prior to demolishing the original community center - the developers will instead agree to construct the new inspection department building on America Avenue near the Public Works complex.
So... no new warming center for those cold nights, but at least we get a new inspection department building.
When precisely?
Ain't nobody knows.
An agreement was drafted that states that BRR needs to commence construction within one year of signing the agreement. However, they never actually signed this agreement, therefore the time clock has not yet begun.
I told you this was a funny story!
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