Millville Housing Authority

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Dice tilling Gardens makeover

By JASON LADAY
jladay@sjnewsco.com
December 17, 2008

MILLVILLE - The city has received two responses to its request for proposals to develop troubled apartment complex Millville Gardens.

Millville Housing Authority Executive Director Paul Dice on Tuesday sought, and was granted, authorization from the MHA and the Holly City Development Corporation to act as a "go-between" for the HCDC and the two developers.

The entities showing at least preliminary interest in developing the land are Hans Lampart's Eastern Pacific Development Company, which is currently involved with renovating the Landis Theater in Vineland, and a company called Ingerman.

"It's very preliminary, as of now," said Dice. "No one's signed anything yet, and there are no details of any plans they might have."

Dice was able to say the general plan includes both home ownership and tax credit rental properties where Millville Gardens currently stands.

"That's one of the ideas," he added. "We're at least talking with them, but, again, there are few to no details."

Dice went before the MHA and HCDC on Tuesday to request he be authorized to investigate the two developers plans, but to be named property manager for the site.

The board approved both requests.

"This is a common thing for the executive director to be doing," explained Dice. "I don't want to be engaging in any discussion that the board is not aware of.

"This basically makes me the go-between guy."

The HCDC, via an agreement with the city, provides routine maintenance services at Millville Gardens.

According to Gerard Velazquez, president and CEO of Triad Associates, which oversees case management for residents requiring relocation assistance out of Millville Gardens, said that approximately 25 residents will still be living in the apartment come the end of the month.

The state last month approved the city's Workable Relocation Assistance Plan (WRAP) in regard to moving the residents out of the complex in anticipation of the West Foundry Street apartment's demolition.

While there is no "hard" deadline for when all of Millville Garden's tenants have to be out of the complex, Millville Planning Director Kim Ayres at the time described a "self-imposed" deadline.

"We're hoping by the beginning of the year to proceed with the demolition," she said.

The city in September approved a deal to purchase the apartment complex - viewed by many residents and city officials as a large nuisance property - for $2.7 million.

	Press Release About Us > News & Press Releases > Press Release Dice tilling Gardens makeover By JASON LADAY jladay@sjnewsco.com December 17, 2008 MILLVILLE - The city has received two responses to its request for proposals to develop troubled apartment complex Millville Gardens. Millville Housing Authority Executive Director Paul Dice on Tuesday sought, and was granted, authorization from the MHA and the Holly City Development Corporation to act as a "go-between" for the HCDC and the two developers. The entities showing at least preliminary interest in developing the land are Hans Lampart's Eastern Pacific Development Company, which is currently involved with renovating the Landis Theater in Vineland, and a company called Ingerman. "It's very preliminary, as of now," said Dice. "No one's signed anything yet, and there are no details of any plans they might have." Dice was able to say the general plan includes both home ownership and tax credit rental properties where Millville Gardens currently stands. "That's one of the ideas," he added. "We're at least talking with them, but, again, there are few to no details." Dice went before the MHA and HCDC on Tuesday to request he be authorized to investigate the two developers plans, but to be named property manager for the site. The board approved both requests. "This is a common thing for the executive director to be doing," explained Dice. "I don't want to be engaging in any discussion that the board is not aware of. "This basically makes me the go-between guy." The HCDC, via an agreement with the city, provides routine maintenance services at Millville Gardens. According to Gerard Velazquez, president and CEO of Triad Associates, which oversees case management for residents requiring relocation assistance out of Millville Gardens, said that approximately 25 residents will still be living in the apartment come the end of the month. The state last month approved the city's Workable Relocation Assistance Plan (WRAP) in regard to moving the residents out of the complex in anticipation of the West Foundry Street apartment's demolition. While there is no "hard" deadline for when all of Millville Garden's tenants have to be out of the complex, Millville Planning Director Kim Ayres at the time described a "self-imposed" deadline. "We're hoping by the beginning of the year to proceed with the demolition," she said. The city in September approved a deal to purchase the apartment complex - viewed by many residents and city officials as a large nuisance property - for $2.7 million.