The Children’s Village (CV), which is based in Dobbs Ferry, has been working on a project to repurpose a building at 41 N. Division St. in Peekskill that has been vacant since the New York State Workers’ Compensation Board moved out a few years ago. It had been built after World War II as a Genung’s Department Store. Now, CV and Peekskill’s Field Library have announced an agreement to create a new state-of-the-art public library at the North Division Street site. The new library is intended to replace the library’s current location at 4 Nelson Ave.
CV and project architect Joseph G. Thompson of Peekskill had proposed repurposing the property as a mixed-use building with commercial space on the ground floor and 22 new apartments on the second and third floors. The units, 13 studios, six one-bedroom apartments, and three two-bedroom apartments were to range in size from 500 square feet to 880 square feet and be priced as affordable housing with 10 of the units reserved for CV clients.
The existing building is constructed to the lot lines and there is no space for parking on-site. The residential use would require 29 spaces and the commercial uses would require 34 spaces. The project would rely on existing parking in the area including the city’s James Street garage that has 453 spaces. More than 175 permits for parking in that garage remained unsold by the city, according to Children’s Village.
The new library would be incorporated into the mixed-use project, which proposed 11,000 square feet of commercial space. Construction on the library is expected to begin next year.
“The Field Library is incredibly proud to partner with Children’s Village on this transformative project,” said Dana Hysell, director of the library. “This collaboration allows us to combine our strengths and create a vital community hub where learning and access to resources are made available to everyone. We believe the new library location will serve as a cornerstone for continued growth, education, and connection within our community. This new facility is more than just a building, it is a commitment to our community’s bright future.”
New York State Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins and State Senator Pete Harckham announced $1 million in state funding for the mixed-use project. The Westchester County Legislature approved $3.4 million to support CV’s purchase and development of the property. Additional support has come from The Lanza Family Foundation, the Frog Rock Foundation, and Empire State Development. CV is pursuing a $3 million fundraising campaign for the library buildout.
This project brings together exactly what a thriving community needs: economic activity, stable housing, and access to strong educational resources,” said Peekskill Mayor Vivian McKenzie. “The library will be a welcoming, modern space for residents of all ages, and new business activity will strengthen our downtown and expand opportunities for families.”
