WESTLAKE : Grand Plans for Site of Former Mansion

When the landmark McKinley Mansion at 3rd Street and LaFayette Park Place was destroyed by fire one year ago, many local residents felt they had lost a vital part of their neighborhood’s heritage.

But one group of neighbors decided that the most beneficial replacement for the 1915 historic monument, which had stood abandoned for several years, would be a community center with green space--a play area for the community’s apartment-bound children.

To raise funds to acquire the 1 1/3-acre property for development, the Benton Way Neighborhood Watch Assn. recently incorporated under nonprofit status. Aided by a member, retired attorney Wenceslao Montellana, they have now become the Benton Neighborhood Watch Assn. Inc.

“Now we are eligible to go after grants,” said Verona Lopez, a semi-retired architect and space designer who was named chair of the association’s 15-member board. “I want to get us out there as much as possible.”

The property, which is owned by LaFayette Towers East Partners, went on the market last month for a little over $3 million, about the same amount they paid for it in 1987. The location was to be the site of a 140-unit apartment complex. Although those plans have been dropped, the association wants to make sure their cramped neighborhood gets to keep some breathing space.

However, they have agreed that some housing on the property will help them attract developers. A few months ago, they teamed with Search to Involve Pilipino Americans, a Temple-Beaudry community social services nonprofit group interested in developing low-income senior and multifamily housing.

According to preliminary plans, a small senior housing complex--which the Pilipino group would fund--would share the site with a day care center, library, playground and community recreation center with picnic area and gardens.

Residents willing to adopt a “grandparent” role and watch or instruct the children in the day care center could possibly earn rental credit, Lopez said.

Over the past few weeks, the group has begun using its new nonprofit status to approach foundations for funding.

They have also enlisted the help of City Councilman Mike Hernandez’s staff. David Marquez, a senior deputy for Hernandez, said the proposed project could qualify for city funds, especially since there is a need for senior housing in the area.

Min G. Kim, of Fred Sands Realty, said the owners of the site hope to sell it as soon as possible. Kim said the owners are open to whatever development plans the buyers may have.