$41M apartment project proposed for Park Ave. in Yonkers

Kearny Realty & Development Group Inc., based in Baldwin Place, is proposing an approximately $41 million apartment project for 21-23 Park Ave. in Yonkers. Plans have been submitted for the Yonkers Planning Board’s consideration. The project has been named The Abbey and involves constructing a new building as well as rehabilitating properties listed in the National Register of Historic Places — the former Blessed Sacrament Monastery along with the Ethan Flagg House.

According to the National Register of Historic Places, the Ethan Flagg House and Blessed Sacrament Monastery had been operated as Greyston Health Services, which had a 35-unit supportive care housing facility at the site. The property has three parts: the mid-19th century residence known as Flagg House, the 1922 monastery addition, and a 1954 infirmary wing that connects the residence and monastery addition. The structures are located on the west side of Park Avenue between Ashburton Avenue and Flagg Street on a bluff above Palisade Avenue with views of the Hudson River.

The neighborhood features a combination of single- and multifamily homes, apartment buildings, stores, and institutional structures.

Kearney proposes to rehabilitate the Flagg House and monastery to contain 49 apartments. The new building would contain 33 or 36 apartments, for a total on the site of 82 or 85 apartments. All of the units would be in the affordable category and rented at 60% and 80% of Westchester’s Area Median Income. People involved in artistic or literary activities would receive preference for rental of from 20% to 50% of the units. There would be a mix of studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments.

According to the National Register, the Flagg House was built in the mid-1850s. In the mid-nineteenth century, the high ground in Yonkers, along what are today Palisade Avenue, Park Avenue, North Broadway, Hudson Terrace, Warburton Avenue and other streets became popular sites for the construction of large, free-standing villas, many in the Italianate style. This was at a time when industry and commerce were expanding as a result of the opening of the New York and Hudson River Railroad through Yonkers in 1851.

Ethan Flagg, who died in 1884, was one of the leading citizens of Yonkers. He owned about 400 acres that he subdivided and was responsible for the development of a large section of the city.

Kearney Group said it has an executed agreement for the purchase of the property from the current owner 23 Park Avenue Limited Partnership for $4 million.

Kearney described the new building to be constructed on the site as being wood frame with exterior elements such as brick, fiber-cement siding, and architectural cornices.

“This building has been designed to coincide not only with the architectural and historical beauty of the rehab buildings, but also with the surrounding neighborhood,” Kearney said. It said that the three buildings in the project would be all-electric and meet sustainability guidelines. Kearney said there would be an on-site management office that will be staffed during the week; an on-site superintendent; interior and exterior bike storage; and workspaces for the residents and resident artists.

Kearney received a variance from the Yonkers Zoning Board of Appeals for required parking. The plans call for 24 parking spaces to be provided on the site with additional spaces that will be leased at the Yonkers Parking Authority’s Parkdrome Garage located at 130 Ashburton Ave., less than 300 feet from the project site.

Kearney Group said that the project would be owned by a limited partnership that has yet to be formed in which Kenneth Kearney and Sean K. Kearney will be the managers and members. Kenneth Kearney is president of the Kearney Group and Sean K. Kearney is vice president. Kearney Group said it has developed more than 20 affordable and mixed-income housing developments and currently manages more than 1,600 affordable and mixed-income units.