Hudson County recently pledged $500,000 to help the town of Weehawken turn the former Park Avenue Hotel on Park Avenue near 48th Street into affordable senior citizen housing.
However, millions more will be needed before construction can get underway.
After condemning and tearing down the hotel – where a young woman was murdered by a drifter in 2006 – the township is hoping to begin construction some time in 2011.
“No taxpayer money is actually being used.” – Mayor Turner
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According to the mayor, the county has different grants set aside for community development.
The township purchased the building, which was condemned in January of 2008, for $1.5 million from a private owner. That money that came from deals with waterfront developers.
“No taxpayer money is actually being used,” the mayor said. “Weehawken has a very strong trust fund, money set aside by the developers for affordable housing. That is something we’ve always insisted on when allowing the developers to build on our waterfront.”
Although the first phase of the project is complete, the township does not yet know when construction of the proposed five-story, 28-unit building will start.
“We’re expecting the cost of construction to be about $6 or 7 million, and if you add the value of the land, the total project comes to roughly $8 million,” the mayor said. To complete the project, the township is hoping to secure more money from state and federal grants.
“We’re applying for grants, which will help,” the mayor said, “and if the economy picks up, we’ll be able to finish the project soon. But remember, we only get money from developers if they’re building on the waterfront, so we’ll have to wait for that.”
According to Turner, construction might start in early 2011.
“Right now I really can’t say when,” he said. “Our goal is to have a bid secured by the end of 2010.”
A blight on the neighborhood
Although the township is waiting to secure the millions of dollars needed to finish the project, many people are happy to see the place empty.
In 2008, a couple staying at the hotel were arrested for attempted burglary and were connected to a string of several other burglaries in the area, police said. After their arrest, police found the couple’s 2-year-old son who was allegedly left alone at the hotel.
Most shocking was the 2006 rape and murder of Jennifer Moore, 18, whose body was found in a dumpster in West New York. Police tracked the alleged murderer back to the hotel.
According to Deputy Police Chief Jeffrey Fulcher, most area businesses call for police assistance roughly once a year. In 2006, the hotel called 20 to 25 times, he said.
“It took years and years to finally condemn that building,” said Mayor Turner. “After working so hard on it, seeing the building down, the fence up, and the property secure is worthwhile. Just having a plan in the works for a building that will help people in need of housing, instead of providing housing for those that want to hurt people, is ultimately well worth it.”
Sean Allocca can be reached at editorial@hudsonreporter.com