Brainerd Street Commons

Independent living facility to open in Mt. Holly

By: JASON HARRIS, Burlington County Times (Mon, Sep/26/2005)

MOUNT HOLLY - The former Woolman Commons retirement center is being renovated and reopened as an independent living facility for people 62 and older.

Now known as the Brainerd Street Commons, the complex consists of 23 units in three buildings at Brainerd and Buttonwood streets. Applications for membership are being accepted, and residents could begin moving in this fall.

"Each resident will be a member of the (Brainerd Street) Commons," said Karen Robbins, director of Woolman Community Development Corp. "In layman's terms, they will be owners in the company."

Residents will buy a membership in the corporation for $95,000 to $110,000, plus an entrance fee of no more than $2,000. They will also pay a monthly fee that will cover taxes, insurance, water, sewer and maintenance expenses. Residents can sell their memberships, and the apartment, and keep any profit.

Robbins estimated the monthly fee for a one-bedroom apartment to be less than $600. She said residents would be given rebates at the end of the year if what they've paid in fees exceeds costs.

Robbins said the goal is to allow residents to have the benefits of owning a home without all the responsibilities.

"Members have the same economic advantages as homeowners," Robbins said. "They also have the advantage of having their home managed the same as if they were living in a luxury apartment."

Each of the one- or two-bedroom apartments has its own patio or balcony, washer and dryer and a storage area in the basement. Residents also get access to a common room with a big-screen television and a back yard.

Robbins said Woolman Development operates the property and co-owns the property with the residents. The company's employees and its board of directors handle the day-to-day operations of the buildings, but they work for members of the complex. "They will be able to replace us if they don't like the job we're doing," Robbins said.

Woolman Commons was a retirement center operated by Medford Leas Continuing Care Retirement Community, a Quaker-related organization. Medford Leas, which operates retirement communities in Medford and Lumberton, announced it was closing the property on Brainerd Street early last year.

Several of the residents of Woolman Commons were, like Robbins, members of the Mount Holly Friends Meeting. After listening to the residents' complaints, Robbins and the other members of the Quaker meeting formed Woolman Community Development Corp.

The meeting is not involved in the development company.

Woolman Community Development Corp. offered to buy the property from Medford Leas last spring. Robbins said the company needed about 18 months to secure financing and renovate the property.

This is Woolman Community Development Corp.'s first development project. If it goes well, Robbins said, the company may buy Quaker House, a four-unit apartment building next door.