Project Transforms Former YMCA Into Affordable, Transit-Oriented Development Geared Toward Seniors

State County and Village officials met recently to celebrate the completion of 62 Main, a $54 million development that transformed the former YMCA of Tarrytown into 108 affordable and energy-efficient apartments. The project, which is developed by BCW Member Wilder Balter Partners, is fully-electric, transit-oriented sand geared Toward seniors.

In the past five years, New York State Homes and Community Renewal has financed more than 5,000 affordable homes in Westchester. 62 Main continues this effort and complements Governor Kathy Hochul’s $25 billion five-year Housing Plan which is on track to create or preserve 100,000 affordable homes statewide.

“My approach to tackling the housing crisis is simple: we need all types of housing options, especially in places like Westchester County,” Governor Hochul said. “Transforming this former YMCA into affordable housing will not only revitalize the building but also provide more than 100 much-needed homes. This project ensures that seniors can remain in the community they cherish, or move to this vibrant village with an essential public transit hub.”

The development is available to households earning up to 70 percent of the Area Median Income. Eighty-eight of the apartments are reserved for seniors aged 55 and older.

The project included a rehabilitation of the interior of the original YMCA facility, transforming it into modern apartments. Extensions to the facility in the rear of the property were demolished and replaced. The historic Main Street façade of the YMCA is intact, in accordance with a Memorandum of Agreement between the developer and the New York State Historic Preservation Office. The façade of the newly constructed portion of the building utilizes classic architectural themes prevalent throughout Tarrytown.

62 Main is fully-electric with energy-efficient features including geothermal heat and air conditioning, ENERGY STAR® appliances, a rooftop solar array, a green roof courtyard and electric car charging stations. The transit-oriented development is three blocks from the Metro North train station and is within walking distance to retail stores, schools, green spaces and medical facilities.

The project is supported by HCR’s Federal Low Income Housing Tax Credit Program that generated $19 million in equity, as well as its Housing Finance Agency, which provided $10.4 million in subsidy from its Senior Housing Program and $8.4 million in tax exempt bonds. Eight of the units will receive rental assistance through Section 8 Project-Based Vouchers issued by HCR. The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority’s New Construction – Housing Program provided $218,000.

The project is also supported by $10.1 million in loans from the Tarrytown Housing Fund – a fund of the Housing Action Council, $5 million from Westchester County’s New Homes Land Acquisition program, a $3 million permanent loan from Community Preservation Corporation Climate Capital to help finance energy efficiency improvements in the project, and $1.5 million in geothermal and solar federal tax credits. The project obtained a 30-year Payment In Lieu of Taxes Agreement with the town of Greenburgh and village of Tarrytown.

William Balter, President of Wilder Balter Partners Development said, “This development was born out of a collaboration among community members, the local merchants association, Village, Town, County and State stakeholders and several financial partners. We could not be happier with the results. In addition to providing new, energy-efficient affordable housing for seniors, Tarrytown’s vibrant downtown business district has a new municipal parking garage, the original 1912 YMCA building in Tarrytown’s historic district has been repurposed and has a restored façade, and the prior SRO tenants are now living in brand new apartments. It’s a true win-win.” Wilder Balter is a past BCW Hall of Fame winner.