News Release
For Release: July 14, 2009
Contact: Frank Baraff 914-962-4630

Orange Announces Major Progress Toward Demolition of Walter G. Alexander Housing Complex

Mayor Eldridge Hawkins, Jr. and Orange Housing Authority (OHA) Executive Director Dr. Walter D. McNeil, Jr, announced further progress toward demolition and redevelopment of the Dr. Walter G. Alexander Public Housing Complex.

The OHA has completely emptied 98 Parrow Street and boarded it up.  The Housing Authority will celebrate the event with a Bar-B-Que on 7/23/2009 at 6:30 pm at 85 Wilson Place.

The OHA plans to close 108 Parrow Street by the end of July. 6 families remain in that building. 107 Wilson Place by August (13 families remain) and 97 Wilson Place by the end of September (21 families remain). The OHA expects to have the demolition consultant in place for the first buildings by September 2009.  All of the residents and/or former residents have received Section 8 Housing Vouchers to facilitate their moves.

Meanwhile, plans are moving forward for the redevelopment of the site. The City is preparing a redevelopment agreement with the Housing Authority for the 8/5/2009 Council Meeting.  In the agreement, Orange would designate several city-owned parcels for redevelopment by the Housing Authority.

Statement by Mayor Eldridge Hawkins, Jr.
“Demolition and redevelopment of this decaying housing complex is one of my highest priorities. I am pleased that demolition will begin early in the second year of my administration and that planning for redevelopment of the site and replacement of its affordable housing is well underway. I want to thank our Quality of Life Task Force and Housing Authority for responding so quickly and efficiently to my request that this project be put on a fast track.

I know that the process of moving has been difficult for tenants. Residents of the complex deserve better than what they’ve been forced to live with.  The Housing Authority has worked hard to find them new homes that are safe and better than what they have now.”

Statement by Walter McNeil, Chairman, Orange Housing Authority
“The Commissioners of the Housing Authority realized the need to close the Dr. Walter G. Alexander Complex three years ago. We had conducted a study that determined it would cost much more to make repairs then to demolish the buildings and replace the housing units.  Relocation has gone smoothly and we are now getting ready to move into the redevelopment phase. The project has been made possible through the leadership and support of the OHA Board of Commissioners who established a redevelopment committee and a non-profit development organization to implement redevelopment.”   “Our goal from the beginning has been to establish safe, decent and secure housing for all of our residents.”

Statement by Valerie Jackson, Orange Director of Planning and Development
Over the past year, as plans for demolition and relocation of tenants have moved forward, our Quality of Life Task Force has focused on fighting crime in the complex and making life better for the remaining tenants. The new housing that will replace this complex will help beautify our city, stimulate our economy, and provide decent affordable homes for Orange residents.”

The Walter G. Alexander Complex:

 140 units, 4 buildings, 35 units per building.
Addresses: 98 and 108 Parrow Street. 97 and 107 Wilson Place

Professionals working on the project:

Kitchen and Associaites, Architects
Metro Group  Financial Counsultants
   
The Section 8 Department of the Housing Authority headed by Marianne DiVeincentis has handled the relocation of the families: 25 families have relocated to Orange. 35 families have relocated to other communities.