[See related article of Feb. 6, 2025 by Jim Roberts.]
The Westchester County Board of Legislators is investing $3.4 million to support the Children’s Village development of the long-vacant Workers Comp building in the center of downtown Peekskill.
On Monday, June 30, the county approved the purchase of the historic building at 41 North Division Street to create 22 affordable housing units, with 10 designated as supportive housing for young adults 18 to 25 years old, who have aged out of foster care.
The project’s developers also propose the renovation of the ground floor and lower floor space of 10,000 square feet into a vibrant commercial space to draw people from the community into the city center.
Jeremy Kohomban, Children’s Village president and CEO, told the Peekskill Herald part of the goal is to create beautiful apartments — plus a new roof with a garden – that do not fit the typical perception of affordable housing.
“We can build affordable housing that is gorgeous, that is respectful, that brings dignity to people, to our communities,” Kohomban said. “There is no reason why beauty and dignity should only be reserved for those with exceptional wealth.”
Of the $3.4 million approved June 30, $1.87 million will finance the cost of infrastructure improvements, with construction of affordable rental units, and $1.53 million will finance the purchase of about 0.20 acres of real property.
The empty building has been listed for sale for several years at an asking price of $2.2 million. The county has invested $6.4 million in total to assist the transformation and funding of the purchase by Children’s Village, an organization in Dobbs Ferry that provides services to children and young adults in the foster care and juvenile systems.
Once completed, the county said the property will provide critical housing stability for vulnerable youth transitioning to independence, while serving-low income families earning up to 60 percent of the area median income.
The other 12 units of the 22 will offer affordable rental options for working families struggling with housing costs in the county. The dozen units would be open to all county residents in a lottery.
Services for young adults aging out of foster care or who are justice-impacted would be provided by the Village’s strategic partner, Bravehearts.
Kohomban told the Herald early estimates for the project are $15 million-16 million. Children’s Village hopes to have work start within the next six months and a plan for the commercial space potentially ready in the next 60 to 90 days.
City of Peekskill Economic Development Director Matthew Rudikoff previously said on Jan. 21 that several ideas were sent to Children’s Village to consider how to use the 10,000 feet of commercial space. Ideas included a business incubator, a Peekskill welcome center, and an African-American museum.
Those projects are still on the table, Kohomban said, as well as other ideas that are part of the vetting process.
Some council members on Jan. 21 expressed concerns about how much time city officials were working on the project and their expectation that Children’s Village would take the lead and come forward with the proposals. (The Common Council will not have a vote on the project.)
The Children’s Village project previously won approvals from the Peekskill Planning Commission and Historic and Landmarks Preservation board. Several Common Council members toured one of the Children’s Village buildings in Manhattan last year and expressed admiration for the site.
In a statement, Peekskill Councilman Dwight Douglas said, “My understanding, following a tour of the Children’s Village apartments [in New York City], was that the city [Peekskill] would entertain the possibility of supporting the proposed affordable housing, if Children’s Village was to identify and assist a ground floor and basement tenant attractive enough to provide increased foot traffic in the downtown. To date I am unaware of any such tenant.”
In a July 1 press release, Colin Smith, a Westchester County legislator who represents Peekskill, commended the new housing opportunities created by the purchasing of the building.
“I fully support any use of the space that contributes to the physical, mental, or emotional well-being of our youth,” Smith said. “I look forward to partnering with Children’s Village to bring this important project to life for Peekskill and its residents.”
An overview of the project stated the vision for the property is to expand on the Children’s Village’s proof-of-concept from projects like The Eliza (an affordable housing tower in the Inwood section of Manhattan) to show what can be done on a smaller scale in neighborhoods outside of New York City. The former Worker’s Comp structure is located within the Peekskill Downtown Local Historic District and near grocery stores, schools, cafes, and restaurants.
