WPCNR CITY HALL CIRCUIT. UPDATED JULY 12, 2008 9:30 A.M. EDT:   Fountain Properties is in the process of applying for HUD financing of the senior assisted living project on Maple Avenue. The Longview Parking Garage, though topped off,is not expected to be opened for hospital and public parking until November, the Commissioner of Public Works said Thursay morning.

Department of Public Works Commissioner Joseph Nicoletti, Mayor Joseph Delfino and Jon Schandler, Chief Executive Officer of White Plains Hospital Center with Longview Garage in background and site of new Kensington Assisted Living Facility in background looking to Cromwell Place from Longview Avenue.

Melissa Lopez, spokesperson for the Mayor’s Office,  told WPCNR Wednesday that the delay in the start of the White Plains Kensington assisted living project scheduled for groundbreaking this month, now delayed indefinitely, due to the Fountain Properties application with HUD to pay for the construction (due to the financial market malaise), would not begin possibly costing the city money until April 2009 when the first payment on the $19 Million bond for construction of the Longview Municipal Garage in the final stages of completion is due.

Lopez said Wednesday that,  by April 2009,  it is expected Kensington will begin making the payments on the garage debt service and that the city will not have to pay the debt service and principle. WPCNR and the Mayor's Office have been missing each other in WPCNR efforts to clarify the details on how the $19 Million bond is being paid off.

Harley Cook, a principal with  Fountain Properties/ previously Kensington LLC, speaking at the Longview Garage Topping Off Ceremony  Thursday told WPCNR the firm is in the "process" of applying for HUD financing of the construction costs, and did not have an estimate as to how much in dollars in construction costs the complex would cost. Cook also told WPCNR his firm was not paying the debt service. He also said the company had not determined the amount of company equity (cash) it was putting into the project.

 Fountain Properties, the new name for the Kensington LLC group, but comprised of the same principals has begun working with HUD to apply for HUD paying the construction costs. The expected cost of building the 91-unit assisted living rentals is over $40 Million according to the Managing Director of Fountain Properties, and has not been calculated fully at the present time. The Managing Director told WPCNR Wednesday the company is putting an equity stake in the project, but did not have the details.

The Longview Municipal Parking Garag, it was announced by Commissioner Joseph Nicoletti Thursday  is not expected to open for White Plains Hospital Center parkers until November. ,