Woodbridge Township Mayor John E. McCormac joined Ingerman and BCM Affordable Housing to celebrate the groundbreaking of Dalina Manor, a senior affordable rental community located in the Hopelawn section of the township.
Dalina Manor will be a three-story property that will contain 57 apartments — 48 one- and nine two-bedroom units. The site will feature two elevators, 57 parking spaces, a gazebo, an abundance of storage, a furnished community room, an on-site office for support services, a workout room and a property management suite. All common areas will be fully handicapped-accessible.
The apartments at Dalina Manor are accessible via two elevators and will feature wooden baseboards, mini-blinds, oversized windows, vinyl tile flooring in the kitchen and foyer, ceramic tile baths and a washer and dryer in each apartment. The kitchens will feature a full appliance package, including a dishwasher and a garbage disposal. Five percent of the units will be fully handicapped-accessible, and all of the units will be able to be converted to accessible living.
This development will add 57 units of much-needed affordable senior housing to Woodbridge Township’s 55 and older community. It will provide a solution for those who are currently living independently in single-family homes and for those whose current housing is not adequately accessible.
“Today’s groundbreaking represents yet another milestone toward achieving our goal of ensuring that Woodbridge Township senior residents have access to quality residential options that allow them to affordably continue to live in their community,” McCormac said. “Dalina Manor will enhance the Hopelawn landscape by transforming the aging Hopelawn VFW building into a vibrant new community for our senior residents. It is important to note that the Hopelawn VFW will have a new home — right here at Dalina Manor so named in honor of Stephen J. ‘Pete’ Dalina who dedicated his life to the people of Middlesex County and Woodbridge Township.”
“Through the mayor’s vision, we have the opportunity to take the aging Hopelawn VFW building and transform it into a beautiful, active, vibrant community for the senior residents of Hopelawn,” said Bruce Morgan, president, BCM Affordable Housing. “We are proud to be creating a high-quality residential development that will not only meet the demand for affordable senior housing, but will also contribute to the township’s exceptional quality of life.”
Financing for this $11.7 million project will be provided through a combination of equity from the syndication of Low Income Housing Tax Credits that were awarded from the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency and syndicated through The Richman Group, a first mortgage from the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Financing Agency, a construction loan from Citibank, and Middlesex County HOME funds. Construction is expected to be completed by the summer of 2017.
Joining the mayor to celebrate the official groundbreaking of Dalina Manor were Anthony Marchetta, executive director, New Jersey Housing & Mortgage Finance Agency; Freeholder Deputy Director Carol Bellante, Middlesex County Board of Chosen Freeholders; Freeholder Charles Kenny, Middlesex County Board of Chosen Freeholders; Caroline Ehrlich, chief of staff and executive director, Woodbridge Redevelopment Agency; Bruce Morgan, principal, BCM Affordable Housing and Ingerman; members of the Woodbridge Affordable Housing Corporation; Marta Lefsky, director, Woodbridge Department of Planning & Development; Councilman Cory Spillar; William Wisk, commander, Hopelawn VFW Post 1352; and Councilman Rick Dalina and family.