BERKELEY – Ground has already been broken, and the dirt has been moved around, but people driving by want to know when they’ll see the first homes at the Tunnel To Towers development.
There will be 99 apartments and 25 small houses deed restricted for veterans at 359 Atlantic City Boulevard (Route 9). The property will also have a common area for the veterans to get care they need, such as behavioral health, legal services, and peer support. Anything not directly provided by Tunnel To Towers will be available through partnerships with local caregivers.
Mayor John Bacchione said at the most recent Township Council meeting that Tunnel To Towers officials give updates every week to the town. Right now, they are still getting the land ready.
“More than likely, January or February they will get the first home in the ground,” he said. “It’s a project that’s a long time coming.”
The homes are modular, so they will arrive finished, he said. The homes just need to be secured and attached to utilities.
A portion of township-owned land will probably be a staging area, he explained. This is a closed gas station and mechanic’s shop at 821 Route 9, just south of the post office.
At the ceremonial groundbreaking in late spring, Frank Siller, CEO of Tunnel To Towers, explained how the nonprofit got its name and inspiration from the memory of his baby brother Stephen Siller.
Stephen had finished his night shift as a firefighter in New York City. He was planning to go play golf with his three brothers. However, this was the morning of September 11, 2001.
He turned around and headed back to help people. The Brooklyn Battery was closed for security purposes, so he got out of his truck and carried 60 pounds of gear on foot toward the smoke. Frank Siller assumes his brother met up with the rest of his company at the south tower. His family never sees him again.
In their fight for veterans, they’ve provided housing or support for more than 10,000 vets. There are 600 homeless veterans in New Jersey alone, but that number is probably low, as many go uncounted.
For more information, including other ways they help, and ways to donate, visit T2T.org.
