CHAC Signs Multi-Million Dollar Deed Swap for New Building

After 25 years, CHAC has inked a monumental real estate deal.

The Community Health Awareness Council signed on Monday an agreement that makes official a multi-million dollar land deed swap between the mental health agency and the MPM Corporation, acting on behalf of the Malek Living Trust. The land swap, which moves CHAC from its current location at 711 Church St. to 590 W. El Camino Real, doubles its square footage from 3,408 to 7,330—and will accommodate its recent and future growth.

"It's a miracle," said Monique Kane, executive director, after the signing.

According to a press statement, the MPM Corporation found CHAC's original space "essential and valuable" to the completion of their new development at 605 Castro St., which includes a new office tower, eight condominium units and an underground parking lot.

However to the Malek family, this land swap represents more than a business transaction. Their 590 W. El Camino Real property has been appraised for $3.16 million compared to CHAC's at a little more than $1.1 million.

"This is much more than a transaction," said Mina Malek, whose family lived in Los Altos. "We've been working with CHAC for a few years to help them find a space that helps them grow."

She added that they conducted a feasibility study and worked with their staff.

"We are happy to work with an organization that really benefits the community," she said. "We really wanted to help CHAC. It's not just a business agreement but something that will help the community."

In 10 years, the number of clients has grown 535 percent from 1,844 in 2002 to 11,720 in 2012. To accommodate this increase, CHAC has hired more staff. They went from 74 to 122, an increase of 65 percent.

CHAC's new location has a training room for clinical interns, that is, professionals in the field of psychology and another conference room. The Outlet Project, an LGBTQ youth program, will now have two offices instead of one. The building has an underground parking lot, an elevator and handicap accessible entries.

"We love our old building and their will be some mourning, but we are ready to move," said Sally Schuman, executive assistant.

Several CHAC Board Members stopped by for the event, including Ginny Dolan, Susan Sweeny and Bruce Barsi. Barsi thanked the Malek's "for being so unbelievable generous with CHAC."

"This will live on and you can't even imagine how many kids will be touched by this," he said.

After signing the agreement Shohreh Malek, the matriarch of the family, told Kane that she would like to continue her involvement with CHAC. She told Mountain View Patch, with her two daughters, they had belonged to the National Charity League and have helped 25 organizations in community over the years.

Her husband, who died in January 2012, wanted to have an impact and do good for community, she shared.

"I started reading about CHAC and what they do, and I wanted to become involved in whatever capacity I could," she said. "I really want them to see them succeed."

"This is a win-win."

CHAC expects to be in their new location by the end of June 2013.

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