After 9 Years of Planning, Housing Under Way

SOMERSET, NJ - After nine years of planning, 94 new units of affordable housing are under construction on Berry Street, and Richard Barber, among others, couldn't be happier. "It's been a labor of love,'' said Barber, chairman of the Franklin Township Redevelopment Agency. "I've been here for 30 years and there has been very little redevelopment in this neighborhood. For me, it's a dream come true.''

For Barber, the dream began in 1995 when he and other members of First Baptist Church of Lincoln Gardens decided to rebuild the church at the same site instead of leaving the neighborhood. The Redevelopment Agency came into existence a few years later. Barber and six other board members have volunteered their time with the agency, hoping to finally see a renaissance in their neighborhood. "I see this whole area being redeveloped,'' Barber said. "That is my dream, that is my prayer.''

RPM Development Group of Montclair broke ground in July on Berry Street Commons. The two four-story buildings will house 94 rental units, most of which are two- and three-bedroom apartments. A few one-bedrooms are also included. All will be aimed at low- and moderate-income families with no age restrictions.

The units on the 2.4-acre site will all have hardwood floors, ceramic tile in the bathrooms and stainless steel appliances. One building will house a community room and kitchen, which will be used for meetings and after-school programs for the children in residence. There will be a playground on site, underground parking, solar panels on the roof and a live-in superintendent.

The $22 million project is expected to be completed by October. A lottery will be held in the spring or summer for people interested in obtaining one of the apartments. "This area is not representative of what Franklin Township should be,'' Barber said. "I'm hoping to transform the neighborhood.''

The agency also has plans for the area surrounding Berry Street, from Route 27 to Churchill Avenue to Millstone Road. The plans include building a large multi-phase development, including market-rate housing and 90,000-square-feet of commercial space, which will provide jobs for area residents. "Obviously, given the current economic situation, it's going to be a long-term plan,'' said township Manager Ken Daly.

The Federal Home Loan Bank of New York recently announced that it is awarding $500,000 toward Franklin Boulevard Commons, the second stage of the redevelopment. The site will consist of 65 units for low- and very low-income residents. Additional funding for the $17.1 million project will be provided by the Neighborhood Preservation Balanced Housing Program; New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency; low income housing tax credits and the Franklin Township Affordable Housing Trust Fund. The project also received a tax abatement from the township and will help satisfy its Council on Affordable Housing obligation.

"Providing families with accessible, affordable housing is the goal of every strong community,'' said Alfred A. DelliBovi, president and CEO of the Home Loan Bank. "It is the mission of the Federal Home Loan Bank to partner with our member lenders, community organizations and our esteemed elected officials to support community development.''