02/02/2024
Read the facts....
The level of community uproar on the housing development opportunity at the Hunter Tier lot has been unexpected. Community dialogue is important. But some sentiments have taken a sad turn. Here is a best effort to set the record straight:
-In August 2023, the Village of Mamaroneck released a Request for Proposals to accomplish two things –rebuild the deteriorating Hunter Tier public parking lot and add much-needed quality affordable housing to our community.
-The Village received two proposals: Washingtonville Housing Alliance – a local nonprofit focused on housing in Mamaroneck for 44 years - proposed the 77-unit Hunter Terrace development. A for-profit, non-local developer proposed 187 units including an additional site.
-After hearing feedback from the Village, we increased the parking for Hunter Terrace to 170 spots – the most we can fit on three levels – and the Village will collect the revenue from the meters of the public spots without having to maintain the lot.
-At this stage, the Village is expected to hear from both proposers and the community and select a development partner that will then work with the Village. Many of the details being discussed now will be finalized during that thorough process.
-Both proposers – and essentially all affordable housing developers – use very similar financing structures and are subject to the same fair housing standards. This includes conducting a housing lottery to ensure that all people have equal opportunity to live in quality affordable housing. Fair housing isn’t a detriment, it’s a way to ensure that communities encourage diversity and inclusion. That said, if the financing allows some level of local community preference for tenanting the building, we will gladly do so. And – as a 44-year stakeholder in the community – we will conduct extensive local marketing to ensure that every Village resident who is eligible and interested is encouraged to apply.
-Endless empirical studies show that affordable housing like Hunter Terrace pays more in property taxes than the cost of municipal services incurred, including public education costs. Additionally, affordable housing does not negatively impact neighboring property values and does not significantly impact traffic or parking.
Today, the Hunter Tier parking lot is deteriorating and must be repaired or replaced. Our goal is to replace the lot at no cost to the Village and build a tax-paying affordable housing building to meet the needs of our community. We also feel like the Hunter Terrace design is particularly inspired, contextual, and beautiful. We wanted to propose something the whole community could be proud of.
This is the whole story. We look forward to constructive dialogue with all interested parties and we hope for the best outcome for the community. To learn more please visit: https://www.washingtonville.org/2024/01/05/hunter-terrace-the-future-of-mamaroneck-affordable-housing/
