BERKELEY – It could be said that the partnership between an affordable housing developer and the township forged new roads. But in this case, the new roads were also named after local legends.
Manitou Park, a small neighborhood of Berkeley hidden behind South Toms River, has doubled in size.
The first section of 82 homes were in 2012 and 2013, said Glen McDonald, Executive Director of Homes For All. The organization has been involved in this community for more than 20 years.
Many of these first homes were interspersed on vacant properties or lots with abandoned homes. A few old roads were extended. The developer had to work with utilities to extend lines. Some original homes weren’t on city water and sewer yet. They were on very old septic tanks and wells.
The final phase of the Manitou Park development includes 51 new houses. McDonald said these will be built at a rate of roughly three a month, to be completed by next winter.
While giving officials some tours, the inside of one of the finished homes was spacious and had plenty of amenities. Each property has yards and distance between neighbors. It was a breath of fresh air compared to the connotation that “affordable housing” carries with it.
Much of the land was purchased from the town. The town will use the proceeds from the land sale to rebuild schoolhouse into a community center. The one-room schoolhouse has been shut down for a long time, but recently received a historic preservation grant.
“It was a creative way to provide affordable housing for residents and rebuild the schoolhouse,” said Senator Carmen Amato, who was mayor of Berkeley for many of the years that Homes For All has been partnering with the town.
At a ribbon cutting for one of the houses, Reverend David Graham of the Holy Temple Church Of God In Christ offered a prayer over the homes. There was a moment of silence for the late John Camera, Berkeley’s business administrator, who took point on day-to-day issues with the development on the township side.
“Homes For All had a vision years ago, and it came to fruition. I am mayor now, but I can’t take the credit,” Mayor John Bacchione said, stating that Amato started a “renaissance” in this area. “It’s a great addition to the Berkeley community.”
McDonald detailed the extensive work that went into these developments. It has been the most challenging – and the most rewarding – that he’s ever worked on. He also thanked the township for a significant contribution.
Berkeley has an affordable housing trust fund. When new homes are built, the developer pays into this fund. No taxpayer dollars are used.
The township contributed half a million dollars from this fund. This will cut the price of five homes by $100,000 each, McDonald said.
Against the backdrop of workers hammering, officials dedicated streets to residents who meant a lot to the community.
The Parker family was thanked, and Third Avenue will be named after the late Charles “Pops” Parker Sr.
Robert Taylor of Unity Pride talked about the many years that “Pops” worked security and how he always stepped up to help those in need. When he was 97, he was still helping people.
Amato told a story of when the township was going through its annual audit and the auditor flagged a 95-year-old who was on the township’s payroll. They thought some kind of fraud was going on, but Amato said, “No, that’s just ‘Pops.’”
The late Sadie Vickers was another legend of the community. Reverend Graham said this church member was always welcoming people in, saying “Let me fix you something to eat.”
Her niece, Angela “Missy” Bray, said “She was a sweetheart. She never had a mean bone in her body. She was that kind of aunt and a woman of God.”
First Avenue will be named for her. Vickers’ name also adorns the community center across from her church.
Rita Kearney was a long-time board member of Homes For All. Patricia Brogan, chair of homes For All, said that Rita is 91 and up until recently, was still active. An educator for many years, she was part of the creation of Homes For All.
“She is a woman of dignity and grace,” she said. “She’s been there for those in need. She’s been a great asset to the community.”
Therefore, 13th Street will also be known as Kearney Street.
Reverend Graham only thought that he was going to be at this ceremony to commend other community members. He was surprised to learn that Second Avenue was going to be named Graham Avenue for his family.
