WPCNR COUNTY CLARION-LEDGER. From Westchester County Department of Communications. November 4, 2005 (EDITED): Westchester County Executive Andy Spano and Chairman of the Board of Legislators Bill Ryan announced selection of the developer for a 15-story senior housing project of 200 one- and two-bedroom apartment units to occupy the old White Plains Post Office parking lot, behind the present Board of Elections office. The project has not been approved by the City of White Plains and will be presented to the city for its approval.

Backdoor of the Board of Elections: New Senior Housing would be built in the parking lot to the left. Photo, WPCNR News Archive.

The development will be maintained at affordable rent levels for at least 40 years.  Approximately 60 percent of the units will be affordable to households earning no more than 50 and 60 percent of county’s median income. Approximately 40 percent of the units will be for households earning up to 80 percent of the median income. According to current income limits by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, a single person could earn up to $32,700 at 50 percent of median, $39,250 at 60 percent of median, and $52,300 at 80 percent of median. The development, for which a price was announced in the official news release, the county promises will be maintained at "affordable" rent levels for 40 years. No financial details on construction costs or how the project was to be funded were presented in the release.

 At a news conference today, County Executive Andy Spano and Board of Legislators Chairman Bill Ryan announced that HANAC/Bluestone/Enterprise, an experienced housing development team, has been selected to design and build the project in downtown White Plains. The team was selected after a recent “request for proposals” (RFP) process by the county.

The site of the project, at the southwesterly corner of Court and Quarropas streets, adjacent to 143 Grand Street, (Site of the Board of Elections, the former White Plains Post Office)  is currently an outdoor county parking lot.

“After a very competitive and careful review, we’ve selected a well respected and very experienced development team,” Spano said. “They will take our vision of what affordable housing can be and make it a reality. It will help satisfy the tremendous need for affordable housing for our seniors and at the same time showcase the latest in ‘green and smart technology.’” 

Ryan noted that there are seven existing senior housing facilities in White Plains and they all have waiting lists. “Seniors make up 15 percent of White Plains’ residential population and that is expected to increase by 40 percent over the next 25 years,” Ryan said. “It is critical that we act now to not only handle current pent-up demand for affordable senior housing but to avert an even greater senior housing crisis in the future.”

Key features will include:

·        Intergenerational Center, consisting of adult and child day care services where social interaction between young and old will enhance the quality of life for all residents;

·         “Smart Technology” to provide seniors with a high level of security and modern communications systems including computer access so residents may stay in touch with family and friends;

·        “Green Technology” to ensure the greatest level of environmental sensitivity and energy efficiency, and provide an example for developers of other residential and non-residential facilities to follow;

·        Architectural design that provides the highest level of interior amenities and shared spaces with exterior features that enhance the fabric of the neighborhood and surrounding streetscape and skyline.

·        Provisions for the handicapped that incorporate the latest in design features for all residents with units  set-aside specifically for those with acute physical disabilities;

The development team includes HANAC, a non-profit agency based in New York City with experience in the ownership and operation of senior affordable housing; the Bluestone Organization, a New York City-based developer of affordable and market rate housing; and the Enterprise Social Investment Corp., one of the nation’s leading providers of community development capital, tax credit investments and development services for affordable housing, mixed-use and commercial development.  Rounding out the high caliber of the team is the firm of SLCE Architects, a New York City-based group with an impressive portfolio of affordable and market rate housing and experience with innovative “green buildings.”

The next step in the project is for the county to enter into an agreement with the development team. Approvals must also be obtained from the City of White Plains. Barring any delays in the local approval process, it is anticipated that the housing will be completed in about two years, with occupancy of the apartments slated for sometime in 2008.