The Whitfield. April, 2015. Blogfnger photo. ©
From Michelle. May 3, 2016. Ocean Grove, New Jersey.
I have a question since I moved into the Whitfield in Nov 2014. I never was told about a demolition and I certainly was never notified that I would have to secure other housing at any time. I have not been sent any legal papers—–nothing. Now, what do l do? Where do l go?
Or as one person said, do l just wait for the demolition crew to show up? Seriously? The owners kept taking new tenants even after they knew they were going to knock down the building. How greedy and despicable.
Editor’s Note: The Whitfield Hotel is scheduled to be demolished, supposedly on May 15, 2016. The long delay has to do with the disposition of the residents. Evidently there are still some living there, so it remains to be seen if the demolition will occur as planned. Our last article on this subject (November 2015) can be found by clicking on the link below:
SIPPIE WALLACE:
Dr. Carol, the neighbors of the Parkview were unofficially involved by going to the Township meetings and by the owner’s walking around and talking with us. We knew what would be happening, but at least for m,e an official letter didn’t come until after the demo company started.
Here are the Neptune Township requirements for demolition. I don’t see how the Parkview Inn demo could have started before the neighbors were notified.
The following documents must be provided before the permit for demolition can be issued:
(a) Service disconnect letters from all utility providers such as water, sewer (732-775-8797), gas, electric.
(b) If applicable, oil tank (permit required), septic tank and well abandonment. If none, state so.
(c) Copy of “Notification-to-Demolish” letter sent to adjoining property owners.
(d) Written statement or documentation that all asbestos has
been removed in accordance with USEPA 40 CFR 61 subpart M. If no asbestos, state so.
You must call 1-800-272-1000 before you dig, for utility locations.
To the tenants: I just called a rooming/boarding House in Asbury Park. They have vacancies. If you do not like that building, there are plenty more housing buildings available that you can find online.
Address:
607 2nd Ave in Asbury Park
phone number:
732-774-9601
That’s very kind of those commenters to help guide the tenant along, into suggesting avenues of how to find housing. Although the Tenant has rights, the tenant does not own the property, and there is always the chance a tenant will have to look for other housing, demolition or not.
The person named Jay who commented is understandably angry that he now has to look for other housing, as that is not always the easiest – nor an enjoyable process, but the process is a natural part of life. Everyone has had to, in one way or another, go through finding housing. You had the choice to live in the building and you chose to continue to live there, even after finding the bedbugs, roaches, mice, etc.
Try to find happiness instead of upsetment, knowing that you will find other housing with better living conditions. There is always a silver lining through difficult times, and I think it’s apparent what your silver lining is.
Perhaps it can’t get any worse, but can only get better for you, as you find housing that does not have these horrible living conditions. Best of luck to you, and wishing you good health, as those living conditions can make one very ill.
Wisher…it’s so nice of you to reach out to this woman with some helpful suggestions. I only wish I could help her in some way. I can’t imagine living under those conditions…perhaps the people living there can see no other way. I truly hope and pray for a smooth transition for all of them.
Also…when the building is set for demolition, I would hope that a fumigation would take place beforehand to prevent an out-migration of pests. Seems like the most logical thing to do.
The Parkview is now in the process of demolition and we were told should take 6 weeks. They are taking it apart piece by piece, and the company doing the work is very considerate of neighbors. Not only did the neighbor alert us, but the demo company walked around and spoke to those who were in residence and sent a letter. However, they alerted us as the work was starting, not before.
The Parkview also has asbestos and the demo companies are used to handling this. As for in season, they just started so I don’t think in-season matters; it just matters when the permit is issued.
I wish for Surf Ave. that the Whitfield demo company is as careful and respectful as the one doing the work on the Parkview.
I suspect without any permit issued it’s going to be awhile. Longer if asbestos abatement is required. If the Whitfield is as bad inside as has been suggested I hope you have time now to find yourself a better living situation. I am also on Surf and haven’t been given any notice or any information about the demolition? I would think local residents would have to be notified before the demolition so maybe it’s not imminent yet? Would the demolition be allowed in peak season considering the surge in parking and pedestrians?
Michelle: Very sorry for your predicament.
My suggestion is to call two numbers: Monmouth County Division of Social Services at 732-308-3770, and The Neptune Social Security local office, at (800) 732-1212.
Ask them for help with finding a new place to live, and tell them your home is scheduled for demolition in a few weeks. Also visit local churches, some of whom house people without homes. Good luck!
And just as a note, the forced removal of residents of the Warrington was cruel and inhumane, and a disgrace. Many of those residents were American vets, or people with severe emotion and mental disabilities. Some of they screamed and struggled as they were removed. It should not have happened.
I called Bill Doolittle of the Neptune Township code office last week because I also had heard about the demolition starting May 15. As a near neighbor, I was concerned about the process.
The Whitfield used to advertise itself as “fireproof” back in the 1920’s -1930’s — which to me means it had asbestos. Mr. Doolittle assured me that no demolition permit had yet been issued, and that any building with asbestos requires special handling during demolition.
We neighbors are also worried about the out-migration of mice, cockroaches, and bedbugs from the building which will occur at demolition.
I asked Mr. Doolittle to let me know if a permit is issued, but haven’t heard back. We all will be happy when the building is gone, but we are worried about the process.
What does your lease/rental agreement say?
It’s time for The Whitfield to go. An eyesore to the community that has been a problem for years. What do the residents/tenants mean where will I go?
You have to look for housing elsewhere like everyone else does. Time to move on.
The Whitfield is considered to be an SRO (single room only) housing. As I understand it, legal guidelines permit rentals in 30 day increments only. This applies to most of the residents.
At this time, there are approximately
10-15 residents yet to find other housing or are waiting to the very last day. And I am not aware of any of them being female.
M. Williamson, I’m sure May 15th is just an approximate date but it will not come down in one day. Most likely it will be weeks before it is completely leveled.
And to Jay’s comments, he is correct in saying it has to go. And it will.
Tenants (and landlord) in NJ have rights and rules to follow. There is a booklet called Truth in Renting that explains it all.
http://www.nj.gov/dca/divisions/codes/publications/pdf_lti/t_i_r.pdf
I can’t imagine that any demolition will begin on May 15, 2016, since it is a Sunday.
You know maybe some of you should come over and take a tour .Or better yet why don’t some of you stay for a week, and I bet you wouldn’t last a day . So I see that some of you think that we can just pick up and walk into another place and call it home sweet home ; that would be fine and dandy, but most of us are limited to what we get, whether it be social services or SSI .
If you or anyone you know that can put up with bedbugs , mice , and let’s not leave out the roaches. One more thing , there’s water that comes through the walls, and I know for a fact that there’s mold in these walls as well . They spray paint the ceiling tiles and think that will solve everything; well I think they’re wrong .
So do everyone, including O.G residents a favor and tear this building down. I think the inspectors miss a lot of rooms when they look at this place but I know for a fact this wouldn’t have passed inspection if I were in charge.