Interfaith Neighbors getting things done in Asbury Park... February 2, 2008
Staff, volunteers key to nonprofit's successes... February 2, 2008
A dream (home) come true for family of 7... January 25, 2008
A New West Side Story... August 20, 2007
A Neighborhood Investment... August 14, 2007
A
neighborhood investment - August 14, 2007
Tax credits help boost Asbury's west side
Posted by the Asbury Park Press
BY KEITH BROWN
COASTAL MONMOUTH BUREAU
ASBURY PARK — The revitalization of the city cannot
be based solely on beachfront condominiums or upscale,
main street restaurants.
It needs affordable housing, safer streets. It needs city
pools, youth recreation programs. Neighborhoods —
specifically those on the city's west side — need
new investment, a group of civic and private industry
representatives said Monday.
A jolt of that new investment — worth $200,000 from
Jersey Central Power & Light — was announced
Monday by officials from state and local government at
the headquarters of InterFaith Neighbors Inc. The money
will help fund the first year of a 10-year revitalization
plan for the neighborhoods west of Memorial Drive, outlined
by Interfaith and accepted by the state Department of
Community Affairs.
"For once, we're not waiting to turn the corner —
we've turned the corner," said Hazel Samuels, city
director of community development. "You can build
all the fancy condos on the beachfront you want, but for
us to be a truly healthy, revitalized city, we've got
to involve our neighborhoods."
JCP&L announced its participation in the state's Neighborhood
Revitalization Tax Credit Program, which allows corporations
that contribute to targeted neighborhoods to receive a
100 percent tax credit on every investment dollar.
"It's a slam-dunk from an economic standpoint,"
said Stephen E. Morgan, JCP&L president. "We
understand the value of a strong and vibrant community."
InterFaith, a nonprofit faith-based charity group based
in Asbury Park, has developed a decadelong revitalization
plan for the city's neighborhoods west of Memorial Drive.
The plan has been approved by the Community Affairs Department
and includes construction of affordable-housing units,
construction of youth recreation facilities, renovation
of other recreational and educational buildings
"If this city is going to make it, the whole city
has to benefit," said Paul L. McEvily, associate
executive director of the 19-year-old InterFaith organization.
"Something has to happen for the west side."
The investment by JCP&L puts the nonprofit group in
a position to begin the first year of its revitalization
plan. The organization plans to establish a home for the
Police Athletic League's youth boxing program, build seven
affordable-housing units on five tracts, purchase lighting
for the city's Little League fields and refurbish the
indoor pool at the city's Boys and Girls Club.
Monday was a "banner day" for InterFaith and
for the revitalization of the west side, said Joseph Marmora,
Interfaith's executive director, added that he was humbled
by the utility company's contribution.
"You will be proud of the work that we do,"
he said.
Charles A. Richman, acting community affairs commissioner,
said he was "delighted" to make available the
program to join public and private sector partnerships
that will "help to bring neighborhoods back."
JCP&L joins with other contributors to Interfaith's
west side revitalization program. Earlier this year, New
Jersey Resources — parent company of New Jersey
Natural Gas — made a $500,000 contribution, according
Micah Rasmussen, a company spokesman.
A relationship between NJNG and Interfaith goes back several
years, so when the nonprofit approached the company with
its revitalization plans, it seemed a logical choice to
participate, Rasmussen said.
"It was a natural progression for us," he said.
based in Asbury Park, has developed a decade-long revitalization
plan for the city's neighborhoods west of Memorial Drive.
The plan has been approved by the Community Affairs Department
and includes construction of affordable-housing units,
construction of youth recreation facilities, renovation
of other recreational and educational buildings
"If this city is going to make it, the whole city
has to benefit," said Paul L. McEvily, associate
executive director of the 19-year-old InterFaith organization.
"Something has to happen for the west side."
The investment by JCP&L puts the nonprofit group in
a position to begin the first year of its revitalization
plan. The organization plans to establish a home for the
Police Athletic League's youth boxing program, build seven
affordable-housing units on five tracts, purchase lighting
for the city's Little League fields and refurbish the
indoor pool at the city's Boys and Girls Club.
Monday was a "banner day" for InterFaith and
for the revitalization of the west side, said Joseph Marmora,
Interfaith's executive director, adding that he was humbled
by the utility company's contribution.
"You will be proud of the work that we do,"
he said.
Charles A. Richman, acting community affairs commissioner,
said he was "delighted" to make available the
program to join public and private sector partnerships
that will "help to bring neighborhoods back."
JCP&L joins with other contributors to Interfaith's
west side revitalization program. Earlier this year, New
Jersey Resources — parent company of New Jersey
Natural Gas — made a $500,000 contribution, according
Micah Rasmussen, a company spokesman.
A relationship between NJNG and Interfaith goes back several
years, so when the nonprofit approached the company with
its revitalization plans, it seemed a logical choice to
participate, Rasmussen said.
"It was a natural progression for us," he said.
Keith Brown: (732) 643-4076 or kbrown@app.com
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