Rockville Centre public housing project to get $32.6 million in improvements

A public housing project in Rockville Centre for senior citizens and the disabled would be renovated and expanded under a $32.6 million plan put forward by the village’s housing authority and a private developer, according to officials and documents.

Six one-bedroom apartments would be added to the Rockville Manor facility at 579 Merrick Rd., along with a second elevator and revamped electrical system. There are 50 units there now.

The housing authority would form a partnership with D&F Development Group LLC in Levittown, which specializes in housing projects where 100% of the units are affordable.

Rockville Manor “needs a major renovation,” said Daniel P. Deegan, the partnership’s real estate attorney. “This will change the lifestyle and quality of life for the residents that live there.”

He said the housing authority is working with D&F because the authority doesn’t have the funds by itself to carry out the proposed plan, which would add 7,448 square feet to the 37,888-square-foot building.

“The biggest problem with the property is that it hasn’t had the capital and maintenance put into it over the years, to the point where it requires this major renovation with several sources of financing,” Deegan told a meeting of the Nassau County Industrial Development Agency last month.

The housing authority and D&F have requested that the IDA grant a sales-tax exemption of up to $938,637 on the purchase of construction materials, equipment and furnishings plus $115,493 off the mortgage recording tax.

They also have asked for 30 years of property-tax savings. The authority now pays $17,926 per year to the village. It is exempt from property taxes levied by the school district and other governments, according to the application for IDA assistance.

The IDA board voted unanimously to begin negotiations with the authority and D&F for a tax-aid package.

In return for the potential incentives, the authority and D&F have promised to retain Rockville Manor’s one employee who earns about $35,000 per year, according to the application.

In March, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced $7.5 million in federal and state low-income housing tax credits and subsidies for the project.

“The only way to address New York’s housing crisis and bring down costs for families is to keep building and preserving homes,” she said at the time.

At the IDA meeting, Deegan estimated the waiting list to live at Rockville Manor totals about 450 people despite its tired condition. “This type of housing obviously has a big demand for it,” he said.

The facility’s apartments will only be available to individuals with an annual household income that doesn’t exceed the area median income, which is $59,650 in Nassau, based on data from home mortgage provider Fannie Mae.

IDA chairman William Rockensies said in an interview, “This is an attractive application because it’s 100% affordable housing for two groups that we need to help: seniors and the disabled.”

The construction project will take two years to complete, the application states.

One other property owned by the housing authority currently receives tax breaks from the county IDA, according to state records.

By James T. Madore

james.madore@newsday.comJamesTMadore

James T. Madore writes about Long Island business news including the economy, development, and the relationship between government and business. He previously served as Albany bureau chief.