Real Estate

Temple Israel Moves Forward With Real Estate Deals

Temple Israel of Lawrence has sold or is in the final stages of selling off some of its property — including a large space on its front lawn, according to Temple Israel President James Rotenberg.

The property on Central Avenue was sold to a developer, which plans to build a house there. Two houses on Fulton Street that the reform temple had planned to knock down for additional parking have gone into contract, Rotenberg said.

Temple Israel fought for years to sell a portion of its front lawn, but was met with resistance from both the Village of Lawrence and residents. The village’s board of zoning appeals granted a subdivision to the temple February 2012, allowing it to sell of the land.

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The JCC of the Greater Five Towns and Peninsula Public Library had expressed interest in purchasing the land, but after the plans met opposition, they were scrapped.

Rotenberg said that the temple’s membership has increased since hitting a low point a few years ago, and its school is thriving with about 100 students. The JCC is also committed to continuing renting temple space for its early childhood program.

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