Monday, June 21, 2010
Ramapo Gets $1.4M In State Housing Money Toward Building Affordable Condominiums on Elm Street in Spring Valley
A quasi-government Ramapo land development agency has been promised $1.44 million from a state government affordable housing agency toward the construction of 36 condominiums at a 48-unit complex on Elm Street in Spring Valley.
The current construction is the first of a three-phase plan to build 132 units in 11 buildings on the eight-acre site. The 36 condominium units include 27 four-bedroom units and nine three-bedroom units.
The grant money went to the Ramapo Local Development Corp., created by the Town Board to build housing and recreational facilities in Ramapo.
The agency also is overseeing controversial plans to build a 3,500-seat, $16.5 million baseball stadium in the Pomona area. The Town Board is looking to guarantee the money bonded by the agency for the construction of the stadium, planned off Route 45 by the Rockland Fire Training Center outside Pomona.
The agency — whose three-member board comprises Supervisor Christopher St. Lawrence, and residents John Brunson and Moses Gross — can seek a single bid on construction, seek state grants and cut through red tape. The agency ends up owning the facility.
The money for the Elm Street development is coming through the New York State Affordable Housing Corp., a subsidiary of the New York State Housing Finance Agency,
“This financing will create new homes in Rockland County and promote affordable homeownership in the state,” said Brian E. Lawlor, president and CEO of the affordable housing agency. “Our actions demonstrate Gov. David A. Paterson’s commitment to providing affordable housing even in these difficult economic times.”
St. Lawrence also was pleased by the development, which he has said would be open to all residents of the town.
“There is a dire need to construct quality residential units in the Town of Ramapo that will enable families with limited income to achieve the dream of home ownership,” St. Lawrence said. “The Ramapo Commons project is going to benefit families who otherwise might not be able to afford to purchase a home in Ramapo.”
At one point Spring Valley complained about the town clearing the site of trees before completing the environmental studies. Other critics have maintained the housing would be dominated by the ultra-Orthodox-Hasidic community, which is growing in Spring Valley.
Area residents – and then Spring Valley village attorney Bruce Levine – were concerned about traffic. Roads leading to the project would be off Twin Avenue. Elm Street would accept traffic in both directions, and Franka Place would be only an entrance, except for the three houses already on Franka. Traffic engineer Michael Galante estimated the homes would add 60 to 80 cars per hour during peak morning and evening travel times.
The Ramapo Land Development Corp.’s mission and objective include lessening the burdens of government by undertaking and promoting urban redevelopment initiatives in Ramapo. The goals include real estate acquisition, development and management, real estate project finance, and other community-based economic development activities permissible under the state Not-For-Profit Corporation Law.
“Through the Ramapo Commons project, the Ramapo Local Development Corporation and the Town of Ramapo have demonstrated a commitment to creating much-needed housing units for middle-income families,” said RLDC Executive Director Aaron Troodler, a deputy town attorney. “This grant from the New York State Affordable Housing Corporation will help us fulfill our commitment to maintain the affordable nature of this project project by keeping costs down, while at the same time constructing a development that people will be proud to call their home.”
http://rockland.lohudblogs.com/2010/06/21/ramapo-gets-1-4m-in-state-housing-money-toward-building-affordable-condominiums-on-elm-street-in-spring-valley/
The current construction is the first of a three-phase plan to build 132 units in 11 buildings on the eight-acre site. The 36 condominium units include 27 four-bedroom units and nine three-bedroom units.
The grant money went to the Ramapo Local Development Corp., created by the Town Board to build housing and recreational facilities in Ramapo.
The agency also is overseeing controversial plans to build a 3,500-seat, $16.5 million baseball stadium in the Pomona area. The Town Board is looking to guarantee the money bonded by the agency for the construction of the stadium, planned off Route 45 by the Rockland Fire Training Center outside Pomona.
The agency — whose three-member board comprises Supervisor Christopher St. Lawrence, and residents John Brunson and Moses Gross — can seek a single bid on construction, seek state grants and cut through red tape. The agency ends up owning the facility.
The money for the Elm Street development is coming through the New York State Affordable Housing Corp., a subsidiary of the New York State Housing Finance Agency,
“This financing will create new homes in Rockland County and promote affordable homeownership in the state,” said Brian E. Lawlor, president and CEO of the affordable housing agency. “Our actions demonstrate Gov. David A. Paterson’s commitment to providing affordable housing even in these difficult economic times.”
St. Lawrence also was pleased by the development, which he has said would be open to all residents of the town.
“There is a dire need to construct quality residential units in the Town of Ramapo that will enable families with limited income to achieve the dream of home ownership,” St. Lawrence said. “The Ramapo Commons project is going to benefit families who otherwise might not be able to afford to purchase a home in Ramapo.”
At one point Spring Valley complained about the town clearing the site of trees before completing the environmental studies. Other critics have maintained the housing would be dominated by the ultra-Orthodox-Hasidic community, which is growing in Spring Valley.
Area residents – and then Spring Valley village attorney Bruce Levine – were concerned about traffic. Roads leading to the project would be off Twin Avenue. Elm Street would accept traffic in both directions, and Franka Place would be only an entrance, except for the three houses already on Franka. Traffic engineer Michael Galante estimated the homes would add 60 to 80 cars per hour during peak morning and evening travel times.
The Ramapo Land Development Corp.’s mission and objective include lessening the burdens of government by undertaking and promoting urban redevelopment initiatives in Ramapo. The goals include real estate acquisition, development and management, real estate project finance, and other community-based economic development activities permissible under the state Not-For-Profit Corporation Law.
“Through the Ramapo Commons project, the Ramapo Local Development Corporation and the Town of Ramapo have demonstrated a commitment to creating much-needed housing units for middle-income families,” said RLDC Executive Director Aaron Troodler, a deputy town attorney. “This grant from the New York State Affordable Housing Corporation will help us fulfill our commitment to maintain the affordable nature of this project project by keeping costs down, while at the same time constructing a development that people will be proud to call their home.”
http://rockland.lohudblogs.com/2010/06/21/ramapo-gets-1-4m-in-state-housing-money-toward-building-affordable-condominiums-on-elm-street-in-spring-valley/
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