New Senior Housing Complex to Host Open House

PPH:

The executive director of the city's housing authority concedes that he probably
overpaid for two dilapidated multi-family houses on Main Street 10 years ago.
The purchase, however, is about to pay off. Along with the houses came adjacent
land that stretches back toward the Presumpscot River. It is now the site of a
34-unit affordable housing complex for seniors. The property at 19 Ash St. will
be the site of an open house Friday from 1 to 3 p.m. Residents will begin moving
in next week, said John Gallagher, executive director of Westbrook Housing.

- John C.L. Morgan

Construction on Downtown Elderly Housing to Begin Next Week

PPH:

Work will begin next week on a new 34-unit affordable housing complex for the
elderly on the Presumpscot River. Spring Crossing, to be located at 19 Ash St.,
will be the first project built by the Westbrook Housing Authority since 2003.
The $3.3 million project addresses a strong demand for elderly housing. Spring
Crossing will feature 31 one-bedroom and three two-bedroom apartments for people
aged 55 and older. Three of the apartments will be handicapped-accessible, and
the remainder will be designed to be easily adaptable for handicapped residents.

- John C.L. Morgan

Quote of the Day

"Ellen, Oprah, who cares? Just send us money."

- Westbrook Housing resident Charlie Kendall on the organization's attempt to lure Ellen DeGeneres's support in a fundraiser to buy a new bus.

Hopefully, Degeneres doesn't get that part of the memo.

- John C.L. Morgan

We've Been Switch'd--Again

The Maine Switch, which may want to rename itself the Westbrook Diarist (see here, here, and here), ventured into Westbrook once again. This time they checked out the bachelor pad of Westbrook resident Todd West. Click here to read the article and here for a virtual tour of the Westbrook Housing Authority's Riverfront Lofts.

- John C.L. Morgan

Westbrook Housing Director Pens Op-Ed

John G. Gallagher, the executive director of the Westbrook Housing Authority, wrote an op-ed in today's Portland Press Herald decrying Governor Baldacci's proposed spending cuts for the Department of Health and Human Services. Specifically, Gallagher writes the proposed cuts would adversely affect residents of the Authority's Larrabee Village. To read Gallagher's editorial in its entirety, click here. And to read a similar story the American Journal ran last week (in fact, Gallagher's editorial features the same seniors as Leslie Bridgers's story), click here.

- John C.L. Morgan