Senior housing facility taking shape

A senior housing development on part of St. Mary's Church property has reached its apex about eight months after breaking ground.

The 51-unit, four-story Jack and Margaret Myers Senior Residence on Esterbrook Avenue is a project of Domus Corporation, part of the Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Newark.

The project is expected to be completed in the spring, about two years after the Zoning Board gave its approval. The zoning plan indicated reconfiguring 87 existing spaces to create 104, with 27 spaces specifically designated for the residential units and another 77 for church, school and rectory activities. Testimony at the time of approval indicated a demand for 22 spaces for the 51 senior residences.

The church-owned properties currently pay no property taxes, however, the nearly $9-million housing project will provide a 40-year Payment In Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) to the city.