DCA Helps Break Ground on Renovation of Historic Zurbrugg Mansion
Project to Provide Quality Apartments for Low and Moderate-Income Seniors


DELANCO TWP. - New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA) Acting Commissioner Charles A. Richman today joined local and county elected officials and representatives of Zurbrugg Partnership, LLC to break ground on the conversion of Zurbrugg Mansion on Delaware Avenue in Delanco into 25 affordable apartments for senior citizens. The DCA has approved $2.05 million in funding for the project.

"Zurbrugg Mansion is a wonderful example of how the worthwhile goals of providing affordable housing and renovating a distinguished property can unite in one exciting project," said Acting Commissioner Richman. "Low and moderate-income seniors who have had a difficult time finding housing they can afford will now have an opportunity to live in a historic, waterfront property. At the same time, a magnificent building that’s been vacant for several years will be restored to its past grandeur and contribute to the local community's sense of pride."

The Georgian-style mansion was built in 1910 on the Delaware River by Theophilus Zurbrugg, who owned the Philadelphia Watch Case Company, for his family. Designed by the respected Philadelphia architect Frank Furness, the mansion was used as a nursing home from 1949 to 2002 when it closed. Delanco Township acquired the building and surrounding land in 2005 and sold it to Zurbrugg Partnership, LLC, a Moorestown development company, in 2008.

The company will convert the mansion into senior independent apartments. There will be 3 studio, 19 one-bedroom, and 3 two-bedroom units. All of the rents will be restricted under the state's affordable housing program. Residents will also have access to common areas, including the library, a large sun porch, meeting rooms, and a laundry facility. Zurbrugg Partnership has contracted with Lutheran Social Ministries of New Jersey to provide leasing and property management services.

The DCA has approved $2,049,399 in Neighborhood Preservation Balanced Housing funding for the project. The Balanced Housing program is aimed at creating housing opportunities in viable neighborhoods for households of low and moderate income and is funded by the New Jersey Realty Transfer Tax.

In addition to converting the mansion into affordable senior apartments, Zurbrugg Partnership also plans to build 8 market rate townhouses on the property and restore the existing carriage house into a market rate single-family home. Balanced Housing funding will not be used for this portion of the project.

For more information on the Balanced Housing program, log on to http://www.state.nj.us/dca/divisions/dhcr/offices/bh.html on the DCA's website.


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