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Grand Central Housing to open Wednesday, September 28th.  Includes major innovations in energy conservation

Mayor Eldridge Hawkins, Jr. announced that the Grand Opening for Grand Central Housing will be held on Wednesday, September 28th 3:00PM at 219 South Center Street, Orange.

Grand Central Housing is a new rental building that addresses the housing needs of cost burdened families in the area. The 1.2-acre site is located at the corner of Central Avenue and South Center Street.

The building is a pilot under the EPA’s new Climate Choice program. As a result of participation in the program, the building has a much smaller carbon footprint than comparable buildings. In addition, the residents will not be responsible for payment of their own utilities.

The building consists of 70 units of affordable housing built by RPM Development. It is at least 60 percent more energy efficient than standard construction thanks to passive solar heating and ventilation, air-tight walls and windows, and solar panels that generate enough electricity to power at least half the units’ energy.

It will be New Jersey’s first Climate Choice building under a Board of Public Utilities Program to encourage green building innovation. The building complies with Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), an international green building certification system.

The building was featured in a November 2010 article in the NJ Chamber of Commerce Magazine, Enterprise, titled “The New Orange is Turning Green.”

Grand Central Housing is affordable to people earning less than 60% of area median income. Amenities include Energy Star appliance packages, hardwood floors and air conditioning.

The project benefits from various sources of subsidy, including Tax Credit Exchange program funds, AHP funds from the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York, HOME funds from Essex County as well as RCA funds. 

Statement by Mayor Eldridge Hawkins, Jr.
Grand Central Housing marks a milestone in the redevelopment of Orange. It replaces an eyesore property on Central Avenue, provides affordable housing for Orange families, and strengthens our city’s reputation as a leader in green environmentally smart development. While construction in other towns has stagnated as a result of the recession, in Orange, we continue to move forward with our redevelopment plans.”

Statement by Valerie Jackson, Orange Director of Planning and Development
“The Grand Central Housing Development project was built on land previously owned by a church, which housed a non-functioning building and provided no property tax revenue to the City.  Today, this project anchors a significant portion of Central Avenue, provides revenue to the City, and offers safe and affordable housing to individuals and families.  It further demonstrates the City’s commitment to collaborate with private developers and public agencies to develop property, which provides tax ratables and stabilizes neighborhoods.”