Maplewood Township is in negotiations to purchase a property at 106 Burnett Avenue, site of the former First Maplewood Baptist Church, for potential use as a senior citizen center. The property, a former church, abuts DeHart Park and is next to the Maplewood Crossing apartments.
Mayor Vic DeLuca said at the township’s budget hearing on Saturday that the town has come to an agreement with the property’s creditor for a purchase price of $400,000. The town will not be required to pay an additional 10% auction fee or a 10% broker’s fee.
“We are there now, so we can move forward,” said DeLuca. Recreation and Cultural Affairs Director Keith Knudsen said that since the building is ADA compliant and air conditioned, it would be appropriate to use as a senior citizen center. He mentioned the idea of having a nurse available on site for health consultations, and perhaps in the future locating housing social services programs there.
The property’s creditors put it into a bankruptcy proceeding last year; the town placed a bid at auction in September but lost. However, the other deal fell through, said Township Attorney Roger Desiderio at a recent Township Committee meeting.
Desiderio previously described the building as in good condition and in need of only “minor tweaks.”
