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Resident alleges threats, forced entry at 90 Broadway as council authorizes executive‑session negotiations
Summary
A Somers Point resident told the council that nine families remain at 90 Broadway and described alleged threats and forced entries by the property owner. The council approved executive‑session resolutions to discuss affordable‑housing litigation and potential development negotiations, including the 90 Broadway site.
During the public comment period tied to resolutions, Somers Point resident Levi Fox told the council that nine families still live at 90 Broadway and described a pattern of alleged harassment and forced entry by the property owner.
“There are in fact still 9 families that remain at 90 Broadway,” Fox said. He told the council that four households had been offered the option to stay until May 31 and that at least two tenants were waiting for written offers. Fox said four residents had not received offers but instead had been subject to threats. He described one incident in which, he said, “a landlord showed up with 2 hired goons and sledgehammers breaking into apartments that they thought might be empty” and said some tenants had been called “squatters” without legal notices.
Fox named specific residents and circumstances: an elderly veteran identified as Bob and his caretaker Allison; a crossing guard named Lisa; and Sue and Joe, who Fox said had attempted to pay back rent. He named the current landlord, John Bowles, and asked the council to require that any redevelopment at the site include “several units of affordable housing” and not to accept deals that would make eviction easier for tenants.
After public comment the council voted to enter closed executive session on several legal matters. Resolution 55, authorizing an executive session for advice of counsel regarding affordable‑housing obligations imposed by the Fair Share Housing Center, was approved by voice vote. Resolution 56, authorizing executive‑session discussion of litigation entitled Garden State Outdoor LLC v. City of Somers Point (docket ATLD‑LD‑143‑23), and Resolution 57, authorizing executive session for potential development negotiations involving contract purchasers of 90 Broadway, were also approved by voice vote.
Council members said only that they would go into executive session and that they might take action after the closed session; no public action or final decision on 90 Broadway was recorded in the public minutes during the meeting.
Fox urged the council to require adherence to legal process and to prioritize protections for tenants during any redevelopment negotiations.
