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Rockland County Targets Sain Building Property For New Workforce Housing
By Paul Adler, Esq – Chief Strategy Officer Rand Commercial
As a veteran in commercial real estate, I commend County Executive Ed Day and the Rockland County Legislature for their decisive actions to address the housing shortage in our region. The redevelopment of the decrepit county-owned Sain Building in New City is a vital step in the right direction.
New City’s downtown area, with its abundance of retail, essential services, healthcare, job opportunities, and convenient transportation access, is the ideal location to demonstrate that innovative solutions to our housing crisis are achievable. This initiative promises to provide much-needed workforce housing while enhancing the vibrancy of our local economy. It seems that Clarkstown is on-board with this plan as well according to Supervisor George Hoehmann.
County Executive Day has outlined a clear vision for the development, emphasizing the importance of workforce housing, public green spaces, and a buffer zone to protect nearby residents. The Sain Building’s location, across from the Rockland County Courthouse and situated in Clarkstown’s new H3 Zone, allows for the development of 10 residential units per acre, with at least 10% designated as affordable.
“The shortage of housing affects everyone in the county,” Day stated, referencing the recent County Housing Needs Assessment by the Hudson Valley Pattern For Progress, which identified a deficit of 4,230 affordable units for residents earning under $60,000 annually.
This bipartisan effort should serve as a model for other towns and villages in Rockland. Collaborative approaches like this are essential to overcoming the barriers that have historically impeded progress on solutions to our growing housing crisis. Together, we can create a more sustainable and inclusive community for all.
In Westchester County, initiatives like Welcome Home Westchester’s “Five in 2025” white paper highlight various strategies that cities, towns, and villages can adopt to tackle the housing shortage in Westchester which threatens the health of its economy and the vibrancy of its communities. The report calls on municipal governments to implement at least one option, including:
- Producing a Housing Action Plan
- Creating a fast-track environmental review for sustainable, energy-efficient housing and transit-oriented development
- Promoting Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) and Transit-Oriented Development (TOD)
- Establishing a Core Curriculum for Volunteer Land Use Board Member Training
- Utilizing New York State-provided tools to become a Pro-Housing Community
Becoming a Pro-Housing Community will enable localities to access crucial state grant programs like the Downtown Revitalization Initiative and the Mid-Hudson Momentum Fund. This collaborative approach presents a win-win scenario for Rockland County, empowering us to effectively address our housing needs while revitalizing our communities.
Paul Adler is Chief Strategy Officer of Rand Commercial. paul.adler@randcommercial.com
