Photos courtesy Westchester County
The new Main Street building will bring 82 family-sized apartments and 140 parking spaces to the downtown area.
The City of Peekskill this month broke ground on new construction designed to bring energy efficient, environmentally friendly, and — most importantly — affordable housing to the city’s busy downtown area.
645 Main is a $51 million development by Wilder Balter Partners, Inc. as part of the city’s Downtown Revitalization Initiative, and is certified by the international Climate Bonds Initiative, which helps fund energy efficient homes and reduce New York’s carbon footprint.
“645 Main is a result of a collaborative public private relationship between WBP and our development team, local stakeholders, the City of Peekskill, Westchester County, and NY State HCR,” says William Balter, President of Wilder Balter Partners, Inc. “We could not be more pleased to be able to provide this needed affordable and workforce housing in such a walkable location in the downtown of the City of Peekskill.”
Located on two acres of former industrial land between Main St and Central Ave, when completed the complex will comprise 18 one-bedroom apartments, 50 two-bedroom apartments, and 14 three-bedroom units, all reserved for households earning 40-80% of the area median income (about $22,000-$44,000).
The location is also highly walkable, with the downtown food scene only about a 5-minute walk from its Main St entrance and the Peekskill train Station just 8 minutes by foot out the Central Ave façade — conveniently right by the new Journeyman Bakery.
“Every New Yorker deserves a safe, decent and affordable place to call home,” says Governor Cuomo. “This new, energy-efficient development builds upon our continued strategic investments in downtowns throughout the state and will provide more than 80 brand-new, affordable apartments for families and the community.”
The building will include an onsite superintendent and management offices, landscaped courtyard, community room with kitchen, fitness center, and laundry room, as well as a 140-space parking garage with a green roof and stormwater infiltration — a feature that reduces the building’s reliance on municipal water.
Other eco-friendly additions include photovoltaic solar panels on the roof to offset energy costs, efficient appliances, low-flow plumbing, and high-performance heating and cooling systems.
New York Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Basil Seggos says, “The cleanup and restoration of brownfield properties like the former Charcoal Tablet Mill site is critical to safeguarding public health, protecting the environment, and developing community assets. This project will bring critically needed affordable housing opportunities to Main Street in Peekskill, which will energize the local economy and improve quality of life.”
“645 Main Street is more than a valuable new asset for Peekskill,” says Peekskill Mayor Andre Rainey. “It contributes to furthering our collaborative, visionary Downtown Revitalization Initiative Plan and secures our legacy as a community that cares and provides for the needs of all of our hardworking residents.”
“The City of Peekskill is supportive of housing at all price points — from subsidized to affordable, market rate and more,” he adds. “We won’t chase anyone out of the city with prices, we welcome everyone with a smart, sustainable balance.”
Westchester County Executive George Latimer’s administration has put a heavy emphasis on affordable housing. “The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a tremendous financial strain, especially for those with low and moderate incomes, and I am thrilled that this $50.8 million development will provide more than 80 units of essential workforce housing for Peekskill.”
