By Frank Sinatra, AAP Editor

On July 1, Pennsauken Mayor Rick Taylor, Township Committeewoman Betsy McBride and other local county and state officials joined Conifer Realty, LLC in cutting the ribbon on the completed Riverfront Village, a brand new apartment community situated along River Rd. The almost $19.5 million project has transformed a former Acme site into 75 high-quality apartments for working class families and veterans.

“You had to see this site several years ago. It was a vacant Acme store that went into disrepair and the Township bought it,” says Mayor Taylor. “We had envisioned development, but things happened up in Trenton. It didn’t happen as quickly as we would have like to have seen it. Conifer came along like a knight in shining armor and came up with a proposal that we could not resist. And as you drive up, it’s beautiful.”

The Riverfront Village is prime example of what teamwork from the public and private sector can do, explained Janine Owens, project coordinator for Conifer Realty, LLC. “From working with the Township to the County to the State; to our financing partners at HMFA and Wells Fargo; as well as our social service provider, Volunteers of America; it’s truly been a community effort.”

“This is a great example of what can happen when the County and local government, along with the private sector, come together to fill the need for quality housing Pennsauken Township,” adds Camden County Freeholder Michelle Gentek. “This new housing is a building block for further transformation along this corridor of Pennsauken and Camden County.”

The Riverfront Village project was undertaken by Conifer Realty LLC, a full service real estate company specializing in the development and management of high-quality, affordable housing communities. The property was designed as a place for working class families to call home, serving those who earn 50 to 60 percent of the median income of the region. Riverfront Village is already at 100 percent occupancy, which is no surprise, based on the overwhelming interest from the public upon the project’s announcement.

Among the property’s new residents, Conifer has also set aside five units at the Riverfront Village for honorably discharged veterans; they have been working with Volunteers of America to help individuals who proudly served their country with their transition to civilian life.

“No homeless veteran should be without a house,” says Owen McCabe, vice president of acquisition and development for Volunteers of America Delaware Valley. “We appreciate the opportunity to be part of this project and to collaborate with all of these entities.”

The multifamily community consists of 12 one-bedroom units, 39 two-bedroom units and 25 three-bedroom units. Each apartment boasts $250,000 worth of amenities. All apartments offer efficient heating and cooling systems that meet the Energy Star Homes Program requirements, as well as Energy Star appliances. Many units feature sight lines across the Delaware River with a spectacular view of the Philadelphia skyline. In addition, the property has a 3,000 square foot club house, complete with fitness center, computer lab, a 1,200 square foot community room, and laundry facilities. Adjacent to the club house is a “tot lot,” with state-certified playground equipment. Riverfront Village is also adjacent to the New Jersey Transit River Line, providing access to numerous locations, including Trenton, Bordentown, Camden, Atlantic City and Philadelphia.

But as impressive as the apartments look and the many amenities Riverfront Village offers, the real impact of this housing development is found in the faces of those living here.

Laticia Nieves is a hairdresser who lives in one of the Riverfront Village apartments with her two children, Alexandro, age 11 and Juliza, age 17. They moved from her parent’s house on 44th St. in Pennsauken into their new home in April.

“It’s pretty nice,” says Alexandro. “I like it.”

“There’s a lot more space,” adds Juliza. “The quiet’s nice.”

“I love it here,” explains Laticia. “This place means independence for us. We’re comfortable here. We’re happy. We’re very lucky to be here.”