Atlantic County executive says prospective buyers from across the country remain interested in Meadowview as the county continues absorbing operating losses.
NORTHFIELD, N.J. — Atlantic County's planned sale of the Meadowview Nursing and Rehabilitation Center is being held up in Trenton despite continued interest from prospective buyers, according to County Executive Dennis Levinson.
Levinson provided an update on the proposed sale Thursday during an appearance on The Don Williams Show on News Talk 1400 and 92.3 WOND.
"We have people from all over the country that are interested in this, that are calling us all the time," Levinson said.
But the county executive said the process has stalled at the state level.
"We can't get it out of Trenton right now," Levinson said. "They're holding this damn thing up as we're losing money continually."
The county has been preparing to sell the 180-bed Meadowview facility on Dolphin Avenue in Northfield through a public auction process, with a minimum bid of $23.5 million.
The proposed sale comes as Atlantic County attempts to end years of financial losses associated with operating the nursing home.
"When I became county executive 27 years ago, there was 24, I think, nursing homes run by counties," Levinson said. "Now there's three, and we're one of them."
"And it does not pay anymore, and it bleeds money."
County Says Meadowview Has Lost Millions
Atlantic County officials have previously said Meadowview has accumulated approximately $24 million in operating losses, with the county citing factors including staffing costs, declining occupancy and other challenges facing government-operated nursing facilities.
The Atlantic County Board of Commissioners unanimously authorized the county to move forward with the sale in December 2025.
The county subsequently held required public hearings in June as part of the process leading toward an auction.
County documents established a minimum bid of $23.5 million based on an appraisal of the property.
The proposed sale includes approximately five acres, the nursing home facility and related assets and licenses. Atlantic County would retain other adjoining county property.
Despite the county moving forward with preparations, a completed auction or sale has not been publicly announced.
Levinson said Thursday the county is ready to proceed.
"So the private individuals have to come in, take it over, and we'll be good to go, Don," he said. "But right now it's stuck in the Trenton bureaucracy. We're ready to go."
Levinson did not identify during the interview the specific state agency or approval that he says is delaying the process.
New Jersey regulates transfers of nursing home ownership and operating licenses, but South Jersey NewsBeat has not independently confirmed which state review, if any, is responsible for the current delay.
Protections for Residents, Veterans and Workers
Any sale would come with significant conditions intended to protect Meadowview residents and employees.
According to Atlantic County's auction requirements, a purchaser would generally be prohibited from involuntarily displacing existing residents except under circumstances allowed by state regulations.
The buyer would also be required to maintain a dedicated wing containing at least 30 beds for military veterans.
The county has included employment protections as well.
Nonadministrative Meadowview employees would have to be retained for two years, subject to dismissal for legitimate cause, at their existing salaries and with health benefits equal to or better than those they currently receive.
Administrative employees would be offered good-faith interviews for positions with the new operator but would not receive the same two-year employment guarantee.
County Wants Out of Nursing Home Business
Meadowview's future has been debated as county governments across New Jersey have increasingly moved away from operating nursing facilities themselves.
Levinson argues that a private operator can continue providing care while removing the financial burden from county taxpayers.
His comments Thursday suggest the problem is no longer finding potential interest in Meadowview.
Instead, Levinson says the county is waiting for Trenton.
"We're ready to go," he said.
For now, Atlantic County remains Meadowview's owner and operator while the proposed $23.5 million sale remains unresolved.
Dennis Levinson appeared Thursday, Oct. 8, on The Don Williams Show, heard Monday through Friday from 6 to 10 a.m. on News Talk 1400 and 92.3 WOND.
About the Author
Scott Stephens
Scott has been an on-air personality, producer and newscaster for 30+ years. He has been a mainstay in the South Jersey Community and on the air across many different area stations. Scott can currently be heard on Kool 98.3 and News Talk 1400 & 92.3 WOND.
