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	Sale of Property to Diocese Handled with Care By Steve and Julie Carr Herald Tribune September 16, 2008 http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20080916/COLUMNIST/809160325/2161/NEWS&title=Sale_of_property_to_Diocese_handled_with_care We have submitted the following so that concerned citizens may have the accurate facts surrounding the pending sale of 500 West Venice Avenue to the Diocese of Venice. As owners of the property, we are deeply disturbed by the tone, innuendo and sensationalism of the Herald-Tribune news articles and a column. The property at 500 West Venice Avenue was listed for sale in November 2007, and a large sign was placed in the front yard. We entered into a sales contract with the Diocese of Venice on June 30, subject to due diligence and other conditions as is customary with a commercial sale. The purchaser completed its due diligence on Aug. 3 and advised us that it would purchase the property. We notified the resident manager immediately by phone that the building had been sold and that the residents would be required to vacate. Written notification was delivered in person to each resident on Aug. 6. Along with the notification was a two-page list provided by our Realtor of available apartments in the area similar in price and features to the ones at 500, as well as the Realtor's offer to assist them in finding a new place. We made follow-up calls within a week to each resident and explained the situation, listened to their concerns, and offered assistance in finding a place. We also offered to provide moving assistance where we thought it might be needed. At the time of entering into a contract with us, the Diocese of Venice was assured that the above measures were to take place. Later, when the Diocese asked us to provide additional time to the residents to find a place, we contacted residents again and discovered that everyone already had found a new place within a week or two and had their moves scheduled. We have talked to each resident one by one and know that they found a place within a week, even though they had been given 30 days. We returned everyone's security deposit immediately. Closing has been set for later this month. We were not made aware of any difficulty that the residents had in finding new accommodations; in fact, we were told that everyone had found a new place quickly since there is an abundance of apartments available. We believe that the professionals assisting us as owners with this sale, our Realtor and attorney, have performed their jobs in a conscientious and professional manner, taking into consideration resident needs and the rights and privacy of all parties. We are saddened that it was necessary for us to sell the building, and more deeply saddened that the residents had to move. We have tried to handle this matter with sensitivity to the residents, and with respect to the rights of all parties. We were disappointed in the slanted coverage of this issue, including the unfortunate negative implications regarding the actions of the Diocese. One of the residents, the eldest and longest tenured, shared her thoughts with us this week: "You know, things happen for a reason. There are people who need this place more that we do." We have the same perspective, and sincerely hope that the new residents will receive the guidance and care they need to create positive and lasting change in their lives and the lives of their children. Steve and Julie Carr live in Napier, Ill.
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