Atlantic County commissioners on Dec. 16 approved a set of actions to subdivide the county-owned Meadowview Nursing and Rehabilitation Center and begin the statutory process that could lead to its sale or conversion.

The board voted to approve a subdivision of the roughly 28.5-acre Meadowview property into three lots — retaining about 17.8 acres for county ownership and separating two parcels of roughly 5.0 and 5.2 acres — and to hire a consultant to guide the process. The board authorized a professional services agreement with consultant David Castines and Associates for up to $35,000 to assist with sale- and licensing-related work.

“The process takes six months to a year,” consultant David Castines told commissioners, describing state licensing reviews and the additional scrutiny prospective buyers now face.

Why it matters: Meadowview has run sustained operating deficits, county staff and commissioners said, and officials have been exploring options for several years, including converting the facility to a veterans’ home or finding an outside operator. The board framed the current resolutions as procedural steps to enable further public vetting, not a final sale.

Public comment and labor concerns

Mohammed Alawal Al Hassan, who identified himself as a staff representative for Meadowview and a representative of AFSCME, urged the board to pause plans that could lead to privatization and called for the county to pursue veteran-focused conversion and a collaborative approach with the union. “Instead of rushing into decisions that may have far-reaching consequences, I invite you to explore other myriad options,” Al Hassan said.

County counsel outlined the statutory process required for sale under NJSA 48:12-1 et seq., including a first public hearing no sooner than 30 days after this approval, a second hearing at least 14 days later, and public auction notice afterward. Counsel said the county will upload labor agreements and other bid materials for public review and allow limited site visits for prospective bidders.

Bid terms and employee protections

County counsel also listed bid and contract conditions the county will require of any successful bidder: guaranteed continued employment for all non-administrative staff for two years (subject to dismissal for cause), equal or better health benefits, the requirement to interview current administrative staff for employment, a prohibition on displacing current residents (including veterans), and preservation of a 30-bed veterans wing unless conditions for conversion are met. Counsel said the minimum acceptable bid will be $23,500,000; bids below that amount will not be considered.

Next steps

With the resolutions approved by roll call, the county executive is authorized to schedule the required public hearings and to proceed with procurement and auction steps in accordance with state law. Commissioners and staff repeatedly emphasized that the process will take time and that employee protections and community input will be central to evaluations of any prospective bidder or conversion plan.

What the board approved (summary): the subdivision authorization, a consultant contract not to exceed $35,000, and authorization to conduct required public hearings and later a public sale under NJSA 48:12-1 et seq., with explicit bid conditions addressing staffing, benefits and resident protections.

The county did not vote on a sale tonight; the board set the procedural path for hearings and an eventual auction and directed staff to keep commissioners and unions apprised as the process unfolds.