SALEM
— The continued effort to rebuild and revitalize the former Whispering Waters apartment complex took another step forward Thursday with the announcement that a $175,584 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture will be used to add teleconferencing and distance learning capabilities to the soon-to-be constructed community center there.
This is the first time a grant of this type has been awarded to a multi-family housing community, according to USDA officials.
Project Developer Ron Rukenstein said Thursday this grant is just another step in the revitalization of the complex, now being called Harvest Point.
He added that from the beginning, a small group with strong local ties set a goal to transform the complex from a troubled, crime-ridden community to a safe and desirable place to live.
“There has never been a place for people to meet,” Rukenstein said of why a community center is important. The people of Harvest Point need to have a place where they can build opportunities and better themselves, he added.
With the Distance Learning Telemedicine grant, the Harvest Point Community Resource and Learning Center — which will be located in the community center — will house teleconferencing and distance learning capabilities linking the facility to the Salem City school system, Salem Vocational Technical School, Salem Community College, Cumberland/Salem Workforce Investment Board, Salem County One-Stop Career Center, and Salem County Inter Agency Council. This will allow residents to participate in online training courses accessible within walking distance of their homes.
The Harvest Point Community Resource and Learning Center will serve both Harvest Point residents and residents of Salem City. The center will house a training room as well as a computer room. The Community Resource and Learning Center will be staffed by Calvary Community Development Corporation. Working through the community coordinator, the distance learning services will be tied together with the social services already offered to the community by Calvary.
Howard Henderson, USDA/Rural Development state director, said this grant is a big deal for everyone.
“We are very excited about this,” he said. “Increased access to current technology is critically important to the city, providing opportunities to dramatically improve the quality of life for the citizens.”
Larry Anderson, of the USDA/RD Multi-Family Housing Division, national office, said Thursday he was proud to be part of the grant presentation. He added a lot of work went into making the complex what it is now.
“It had to get bad before it got better,” he said. “As the years go by, the community can take pride in this effort and that we are building something for the future.”
Rev. Edward Dorn, founder and chairman of the board of Calvary Community Development Corporation, said he’s very proud of what has been accomplished so far, and said it is important this momentum continues once the center is built. This feeling was shared by other speakers, such as Salem Community College President Dr. Peter Contini, Salem City School District Superintendent Dr. Patrick Michel and Superintendent Loren Thomas of Salem County Special Services & Vocational Technical School District.
“There is a sense of pride that had not existed,” Dorn said of the refurbished community. “The best is yet to come.”
To date, more than 100 vacant and structurally deficient units have been demolished at the complex and reconstructed as energy-efficient townhouse apartments. Rukenstein said the project is slated to be complete by the end of 2010. Currently, the community center needs to be built and seven buildings have to be demolished and reconstructed.
In all, Harvest Point is expected to have 260 apartments within 18 buildings. All of the units are currently occupied, according to Rukenstein, and there is a waiting list for every apartment being constructed.
“This is such a good fit,” Rukenstein said of the grant.