Residents of the North Bergen Housing Authority’s Lawler senior buildings celebrated the reopening of their community room on June 29, heading to the room for a buffet dinner, raffles, and a DJ. Lawler, a two-tower complex, is one of three federally-overseen senior complexes in town.
The Housing Authority had previously shuttered the room for renovations back in December, which caused some uproar among tenants, as it was their primary gathering spot. Popular activities like the Christmas party and Bingo nights were temporarily canceled. So the residents were ecstatic to get their room back recently – and with upgrades.
“It’s beautiful,” said Maria Quintanilla, president of the Lawler Towers’ senior citizen club. “Everybody likes it. They put TV’s and everything.”
The improvements include, besides the two new high-definition TV sets, new windows, halls, lighting, a kitchen, furniture, cabinets, and stucco exterior. The total cost was $375,000, according to Executive Director Gerald Sanzari.
Mailyn Gonzalez, Quintanilla’s granddaughter, came to the reopening celebration from Paramus. Having visited her grandmother in the towers for years, she gave the new room high marks.
“It’s brighter, happier,” she said. “I’ve seen new people; they feel younger because this place looks younger.” The new space also felt more modern and cozy, she said.
“They did a beautiful job. Put a lot of work into it,” said an older resident who didn’t want her name used. “They’re dedicated to their tenants, and outside people, too.”
Mayor Nicholas Sacco and the commissioners appeared for a quick ribbon cutting as well.
When the events in the room were canceled last year, seniors complained because they weren’t given replacement space.
“It really is a lifeline of the property,” said Sanzari, of the room. “Seniors count on so many services that we provide to them here: seminars, English classes, anything you can think of, all the different services the county and state provide.”
The Christmas party will return this December.
The reopening also doubled as a 50th anniversary celebration.
____________
50th Anniversary
The reopening also doubled as a 50th anniversary celebration of the Lawler Towers’ opening back in 1968. It was the first senior citizen building in town. According to Sanzari, the Works Progress Administration selected North Bergen as one of its first public housing sites.
As the years passed, the town needed more senior citizen housing. Census data for 2016 says there are more than 8,000 people age 65 or over in town.
After that opening, the authority built more senior buildings with federal assistance. But that money has largely dried up.
“Now they don’t build public housing anymore,” Sanzari lamented. “You have to get private partnerships and get affordable housing.”
Hannington Dia can be reached at hd@hudsonreporter.com
