$51M affordable housing building opened in Peekskill
An affordable housing project at 645 Main St. in Peekskill, developed by Wilder Balter Partners of Chappaqua and the Housing Action Council was opened with a Sept. 11 ribbon-cutting ceremony. The $51 million project adds 82 affordable apartments to the housing inventory.
William Balter, president of Wilder Balter Partners expressed pride in the collaboration between New York state, Westchester County and Peekskill on the project that he said brings “much-needed affordable housing for families in upper Westchester that can benefit from a home within walking distance to Peekskill”™s vibrant downtown and Metro-North train station offering access to major employment centers.”
Blanca Lopez, acting commissioner of planning for Westchester; Bill Balter; RuthAnne Visnauskas; Housing Action Council Executive Director Rose Noonan; building resident Tiffany Grant; Deputy County Executive Ken Jenkins; Vivian McKenzie; State Sen. Peter Harckham.
The building is designed to be energy efficient and includes solar panels to generate much of the electricity for the building. There are 18 one-bedroom apartments, 50 two-bedroom apartments, and 14 three-bedroom apartments. The building has a 140-space garage and has frontage on both Main Street and Central Avenue. It’s built on a two-acre site that had been contaminated but was remediated under a state brownfield cleanup program. Rents are set to be affordable to people earning from 40% to 80% of the Westchester Area Median Income.
The parking garage features a landscaped rooftop courtyard with underground stormwater infiltration system that retains surface water onsite to reduce the burden on the municipal stormwater system. The development offers are 30 electric vehicle charging stations.
Residential amenities include a community room leading to the rooftop courtyard, lounge spaces, a fitness center, a laundry room, and an onsite management office. The building is a short walk from the Peekskill Metro-North station.
Financing included $6 million in tax credits issued by the New York State Department of Tax and Finance. Westchester County provided $5.7 million from the Housing Implementation Fund and $2.3 million from the New Homes Land Acquisition Fund. There were $8.9 million in permanent tax-exempt bonds issued, $12.1 million in federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credits, and $12.3 million in subsidy from New York State Homes and Community Renewal plus funding from NYSERDA, the New York State Energy & Research Development Authority.
“This development at 645 Main Street marks the next step in our work to make Westchester County and all of New York state more livable and more affordable,” Gov. Kathy Hochul said in a statement. “By adding diverse, energy-efficient housing options in thriving and transit-friendly cities like Peekskill, we are tackling New York”™s housing shortage head on and expanding the possibilities for every family who wants to call New York home.”
RuthAnne Visnauskas, commissioner of New York State Homes and Community Renewal said, “In addition to the many amenities and green features, residents will be able to enjoy Peekskill”™s walkable downtown and easy access to public transit.”
According to Peekskill’s Mayor Vivian McKenzie, “645 Main completely changes the way Peekskill develops affordable housing. Mr. Balter and his team have partnered with the city and the state to provide a truly inclusive mixed-income experience that elevates all residents in the building in a new living experience. Longtime community supporters, Mr. Balter”™s mother urged her son to create affordable housing in Peekskill. We thank you for what you have brought to the table here in our city.”