CHNA seeks to purchase Elkins House

The landmarked George B. and Susan Elkins House at 1375 Dean Street is once again on the market, and this time, the Crown Heights North Association, Inc. (CHNA) wants to purchase it in order to create a much needed Arts and Community Center in Crown Heights North. The Elkins House is the oldest house in CHN, dating from 1855, and is a vital part of the neighborhood’s history. It was landmarked in 2006, saving it from the wrecker’s ball. The owner then put the house on the market through Corcoran for several years, but the price and condition of the house were a deterrent to its sale, even though viable offers were made. He walked away from it, without securing it. In the last few years, the house has further suffered from break-ins and theft; and more significantly, from continued water damage from the removal of the roof hatch, as well as open and broken windows. This July, the property was purchased for pennies on the dollar by Saxon Mortgage, a mid-sized sub-prime mortgage company, located in Texas. Saxon is a subsidiary of Morgan Stanley, and is currently having a lot of problems regarding their participation in the government’s HAMP program, designed to aid homeowners by modifying their mortgages. Because of it’s landmark status and condition, the property was not seen as valuable, and the sale price was put at $299K.

The Crown Heights North Association, an IRS 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, the largest grass roots community organization in Crown Heights North, is actively seeking to protect and restore the Elkins house, by creating an Arts and Community Center in it. But time is running out. Saxon says they have 2 offers, but would like to give CHNA the opportunity to purchase the house. The organization is desperately seeking angels/partners who would be able to buy the house, and then allow CHNA to buy it from them. The organization has funding promised, but needs an immediate sponsor for this house, or it will be lost. Plans for rehabilitating the building include working with job training programs through the building and crafts trades unions to do the renovation while creating and teaching green building practices, and other job skills that will be useful in improving employment opportunities for local, economically-disadvantaged residents. The completed Center would serve as a meeting and office space for CHNA, local arts organizations and non-profit community groups, all who will be able to use the spaces for classes and programs for both children and adults. If anyone is interested in helping CHNA in this worthy cause, please contact me at montrosemorris@yahoo.com. In the interest of full disclosure, I am a board member of CHNA.