Millville Housing Authority

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Proposed park for Millville

By JASON LADAY
NJ.com
March 25, 2009

MILLVILLE - Officials at the Holly City Development Corporation are putting feelers out regarding converting the empty lot between the Holly City Family Center and the former Church of God, on East Mulberry Street, into a park, complete with walking track and field space.

The HCDC gave "conceptual clearance" for officials, including Paul Dice, who also serves as executive director of the Millville Housing Authority, to draw up plans for the park in addition to other grant projects.

"These are coming in at the last minute here, because they came out of a meeting with the Cumberland County Improvement Authority," said Dice at Tuesday's regular MHA-HCDC meeting.

If approved by the larger board, the HCDC would apply for a grant to build the park from the CCIA.

However, according to Dice, the grant would only cover half the cost of constructing the park on the estimated 75-by-200-foot lot, which the HCDC owns.

"We would open the recreation area to the larger public about once a week, perhaps," added Dice.

The MHA will likewise apply for a grant from the CCIA for picnic tables and benches to be placed at the authority's various public housing facilities, as well as upgraded playground equipment for Holly Berry Court.

Both grants originate from the CCIA's Environmental Enhancement Grant Program.

The MHA also on Tuesday voted to accept more than $720,000 in federal stimulus funds, to be put to use on building and housing upgrades.

The stimulus funds are unrelated to the CCIA grants, Dice said.

In addition, Dice on Tuesday confirmed the HCDC and Eastern Pacific Development Corporation went before the Millville City Commission on March 4 to present their joint plan to develop the soon-to-be demolished Millville Gardens apartment complex.

The other two prospective developers, Paoli, Pa.-based BCM Affordable Housing and Leewood Real Estate Group, in Staten Island, N.Y., have also gone before the commission.

"It's all before the request for proposal committee, and we haven't heard anything back yet," said Dice. "It's up to them now."

Dice had in December been authorized by the MHA and HCDC to act as middleman between the HCDC and prospective developers for the Millville Gardens project.

According to city officials, eight families remain at the troubled apartment complex, as relocation efforts continue.

	Press Release About Us > News & Press Releases > Press Release Proposed park for Millville By JASON LADAY NJ.com March 25, 2009 MILLVILLE - Officials at the Holly City Development Corporation are putting feelers out regarding converting the empty lot between the Holly City Family Center and the former Church of God, on East Mulberry Street, into a park, complete with walking track and field space. The HCDC gave "conceptual clearance" for officials, including Paul Dice, who also serves as executive director of the Millville Housing Authority, to draw up plans for the park in addition to other grant projects. "These are coming in at the last minute here, because they came out of a meeting with the Cumberland County Improvement Authority," said Dice at Tuesday's regular MHA-HCDC meeting. If approved by the larger board, the HCDC would apply for a grant to build the park from the CCIA. However, according to Dice, the grant would only cover half the cost of constructing the park on the estimated 75-by-200-foot lot, which the HCDC owns. "We would open the recreation area to the larger public about once a week, perhaps," added Dice. The MHA will likewise apply for a grant from the CCIA for picnic tables and benches to be placed at the authority's various public housing facilities, as well as upgraded playground equipment for Holly Berry Court. Both grants originate from the CCIA's Environmental Enhancement Grant Program. The MHA also on Tuesday voted to accept more than $720,000 in federal stimulus funds, to be put to use on building and housing upgrades. The stimulus funds are unrelated to the CCIA grants, Dice said. In addition, Dice on Tuesday confirmed the HCDC and Eastern Pacific Development Corporation went before the Millville City Commission on March 4 to present their joint plan to develop the soon-to-be demolished Millville Gardens apartment complex. The other two prospective developers, Paoli, Pa.-based BCM Affordable Housing and Leewood Real Estate Group, in Staten Island, N.Y., have also gone before the commission. "It's all before the request for proposal committee, and we haven't heard anything back yet," said Dice. "It's up to them now." Dice had in December been authorized by the MHA and HCDC to act as middleman between the HCDC and prospective developers for the Millville Gardens project. According to city officials, eight families remain at the troubled apartment complex, as relocation efforts continue.