While construction of the Jewish Community Campus on the 60-acre site off Clarksville Road in West Windsor is nearly complete, the organizers of the project are finding the final steps to be the most difficult.
However, due to cash flow problems, construction has been temporarily halted, according to Lee Rosenfield, CEO of the center. These problems are caused at least partially by the fact that donors and supporters have made pledge commitments “that have not been fulfilled in a timely way,” Rosenfield explained. “To complete construction and open doors, we need approximately $6.5 million in the near term. We have these assets. A portion of these assets represent [outstanding] pledges. In addition, there is a loan of $11 million that needs to be repaid, $6 million by the end of 2013 and the balance of $5 million that needs to be repaid over a longer term.”
“The Jewish Community Campus leadership continues to work hard at resolving the campus cash flow issues, [by] speaking with existing donors and supporters to encourage them to pay their pledge commitments in full at this time and to secure new commitments as well.”
Rosenfield added, “This campus project is a fundraising operation, and we need the full support of the community behind it to ensure its financial viability. We are very close to the finish line and now need our community to step up with their full support. Once construction resumes, the Jewish Community Campus is approximately two months away from completion. Our goal is to open as soon as possible. But fundraising is the only way that we will fully pay for the acquisition of land and construction of this facility.”
The campus will be home to four community organizations including the Jewish Federation of Princeton Mercer Bucks, the Betty & Milton Katz Jewish Community Center, Jewish Family & Children’s Services of Greater Mercer and the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Mercer.
Rosenfield noted that the facility will be fairly self-sustaining once it is built. “Revenue and rental income from the operations of the agencies that will reside on the campus will largely account for the day to day expenses of maintaining this facility. For example, the Jewish Community Center has nearly 400 early membership sign-ups to date and 185 summer camp registrations and encouraging pre-school registrations and inquiry.”
The 77,000-square-foot facility will offer many amenities that will benefit area residents, such as an indoor pool, itness and recreational space, classrooms, an auditorium. an early childhood learning center; outdoor walking trails, and a patio. In addition, the project preserves more than 50 acres of open space.
Rosenfield stressed that the leadership remains optimistic. “We continue to have good discussions with many past and potential supporters. However, while we continue to remain hopeful that the significant interest in the project and its potential will translate into the financial support we need, we are also aware that we need to make very difficult decisions soon and that the generosity of our supporters is enormously appreciated.”
He noted that if they are unable to secure the necessary funding, “the project will not be completed and we will be subject to foreclosure. But I remain hopeful that the work that so many have put into this over more than 12 years coupled with all the hurdles we’ve overcome and the many generous donations committed to date — will not come to naught.”
Rosenfield added, “We do need some heroes to step up!”
