Plans for LGBTQ+ affordable apartment building presented to White Plains

Plans to construct a building with affordable apartments aimed at senior citizens in the LGBTQ+ community have been presented to White Plains for consideration. The intent to create the development was first made public at a news conference in June 2022 that featured Westchester County Executive George Latimer, Judy Troilo, executive director of The LOFT LGBTQ+ Community Center and White Plains Mayor Tom Roach among others.

Now, the plans for the project have been created and Attorney Kristen K. Wilson of the White Plains-based law firm Marks DiPalermo Wilson PLLC told the city’s Common Council that the developer is the entity 23 Quarropas LLC and the project is named Court Street Residences.

“The project will include a 14-story building that will contain 141 affordable rental apartments for low-income seniors,” Wilson explained. “As part of the residential portion of the development, approximately 12,000 square feet will be dedicated to a combination of amenity and social services spaces. In addition, the ground floor and the second floor of the project will include 7,383 square feet of office and clinic space for the new headquarters for the LOFT: Lesbian & Gay Community Services Center Inc., a not-for-profit organization serving the lesbian, gay and transgender community in Westchester County and beyond.”

HANAC, Inc. and Monadnock Development, LLC, which were originally identified in 2022 as the developers will be jointly developing the property through 23 Quarropas LLC and will be responsible for the long-term ownership once the building is completed.

Wilson said that 23 Quarropas LLC has a 65-year lease for a 0.55-acre property owned by Westchester that’s currently used as a parking lot at the Westchester County Board of Elections. The site is at 23-29 Quarropas St. and 112-122 Court St. The lease provides options to extend with the condition affordability of the apartments be maintained.

“The LOFT is currently operating out of 252 Bryant Ave. and has a very long history of being in White Plains,” Wilson said. “The LOFT is excited to move its headquarters closer to transportation options and to expand its operations in order to meet its patrons’ needs.”

The project proposes 48 onsite parking spaces including a waiver or payment in lieu of parking for 24 spaces that are required but that would not be provided.

“We do not anticipate that parking will be an issue given the typical programming calendar for the LOFT activities and the anticipated parking needs for the seniors living in the residences,” Wilson said. At the 2022 news conference, Latimer had reassured the public that there would continue to be adequate parking for people going to the Board of Elections.

The firm Monadnock Development is located in Brooklyn, and HANAC, Inc., is a social services organization that originally was founded as the Hellenic American Neighborhood Action Committee. HANAC was to provide some specialized services to residents. Monadnock and HANAC have worked together on similar developments.

When originally announcing the intent to build the project Latimer explained that the housing will not be exclusively for members of the LGBTQ+ community. However, he said that this will be the first housing complex in the county that is friendly and supportive to LGBTQ+ residents.

Troilo had said, “There was a time in our history, in the not so distant past, when members of the LGBTQ+ community weren’t living long enough to need senior housing. There was also so much fear associated with identifying as LGBTQ+ publicly. This housing today is a symbol of how far we have come.”

Roach noted, “Diversity produces vibrant communities. White Plains is a special place to live, work and play due in large part to its diversity.”