Affordable Housing Breaks Ground in Yonkers
Last week, The Community Builders, Inc. (TCB), a leading nonprofit developer of mixed-income housing, and the Municipal Housing Authority for the City of Yonkers (MHACY) joined with public officials and community members to break ground on 188 Warburton, phase II of the redevelopment of the Cottage Place Gardens housing complex. The $27 million development will create 51 affordable rental apartments, and is expected to generate 100 construction jobs. The new 62,000-square foot, LEED-certified development will replace two distressed buildings as part of a broader effort to revitalize Southwest Yonkers. The building will include one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments with affordable rents for families and will offer 79 parking spaces. Significant funding for 188 Warburton came from Low Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC) which provides incentives for the use of private equity in affordable housing developments. Other financing was provided by the New York State Housing Finance Agency, City of Yonkers, HUD, MHACY, and TCB.
New SurgiCenter at Phelps
Phelps Memorial Hospital Center recently debuted its new SurgiCenter, a 20,163-square-foot surgical suite on the third floor of the 755 Medical Services Building. Designed for both inpatient and outpatient surgery, The SurgiCenter is connected to the main hospital by a 200-foot-long enclosed bridge, permitting quick access to the full capabilities of the hospital and medical subspecialists. Proximity to the hospital ensures a level of safety that is not available at free-standing surgery centers, according to Phelps. “Many Phelps surgeons and staff members were consulted about the design and capabilities of the new facility,” said Richard Sinni, of Irvington, chairman of the hospital’s board, at a recent ribbon-cutting for the SurgiCenter. “The end result reflects the best ideas for creating an optimal environment for patients, clinical staff and changing technology.”
ArtsWestchester Lands Funding for Arts Festival
ArtsWestchester, the state’s largest, private not-for-profit arts council will be receiving $76,000 for a wide-ranging arts festival that will take place throughout the spring and summer of 2015. The grant is part of $709.2 million awarded through Round IV of Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo’s Regional Economic Development Council Initiative that was announced last week. ArtsWestchester joins 118 other private and public sector projects that will be receiving nearly $83 million in funds as part of the Mid-Hudson Regional Economic Development Council, which was named the “Top Performer” in the competitive grants process. The festival starts in March and will continue through June at 30 venues across Westchester County. It includes exhibitions and events at Axial Theatre, Blue Door Gallery, Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts, Castle Gallery, Katonah Museum of Art, Pelham Art Center, Rye Arts Center, Untermyer Performing Arts Council, White Plains Performing Arts Center and many others.
Business Council Expands Green Program
The Business Council of Westchester recently received a $540,000 grant from New York State that will help expand its Westchester Green Business Challenge—a partnership between The Business Council of Westchester, Westchester County, and Green Team Spirit, that helps promote environmental sustainability in the business community. The funds were part of $709.2 million awarded through Round IV of the Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo’s Regional Economic Development Council Initiative.
First launched in 2009, to date the program has grown to include over 275 businesses. “The Westchester Green Business Challenge started out as a worthwhile concept a few years ago and has proven to be beneficial for local businesses and our environment. We’re so pleased with its success,” said Marsha Gordon, President and CEO of The Business Council of Westchester.
Platinum Mile Office Park Gets New Look
One of Westchester County’s premier professional office parks is getting a new look and a new name. Formerly known as the Harrison Executive Park, the 13-acre campus is undergoing a major capital improvement program and rebranding as the Purchase Professional Park. Situated on Westchester Avenue in the heart of Westchester’s Platinum Mile (I-287) in Purchase, the Purchase Professional Park features three modern buildings (3000, 3010 and 3020 Westchester Avenue) totaling 135,000 square feet of Class A office and medical space. A fourth building comprised of 85,000 square feet of medical space—3030 Westchester Avenue—is scheduled to be completed and occupied in the first quarter of 2015, bringing the total square footage of the park to 220,000 square feet. 3030 Westchester Avenue has been fully leased to WESTMED Medical Group, a large multi-specialty group medical practice. 3030 Westchester Avenue is the first new office building to be built on the I-287 corridor in more than 25 years. Simone Development Companies and its development partner Fareri Associates are nearing completion of a major renovation and modernization of the existing buildings and common areas at the Purchase Professional Park. The renovation work includes refurbishing the exterior facades, renovating all of the lobbies as well as all common area hallways and restrooms, and replacing the elevators and elevator cabs with new finishing throughout all three of the complex’s existing buildings.
