The Children’s Village is another step closer to transforming the long-vacant Workers’ Compensation building in the center of downtown Peekskill into an affordable housing project with 22 units.

On Friday, Sept. 19, New York State Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins and State Sen. Pete Harckham announced that $1 million in State Senate funding was secured for the mixed-use, mixed-income development project at 41 N. Division Street.

A press conference for the announcement was held at the site of the development, with state legislators joined by City of Peekskill Mayor Vivian McKenzie and Children’s Village President and CEO Dr. Jeremy Kohomban. 

Plans for the historic Workers’ Comp building include 22 apartments, 10 of which will be set aside for young adults between 18 and 25 years old who have aged out of foster care, according to a release from Harckham’s office.

“As leaders, we understand that affordability in housing is the key,” Stewart-Cousins said in a release. “It’s where you launch your dreams, have your stability and safety, and it’s where we as a community live and grow. I can’t wait to see this amazing project completed and serving our community here in Peekskill.”

The announcement comes after the Westchester County Board of Legislators invested $3.4 million to support the Children’s Village purchase of the building in June. Project developers propose the renovation of 10,000 square feet of commercial space and a rooftop garden. 

“Peekskill is excited for the reactivation of 41 N. Division, a historic anchor building in the heart of our city,” Mayor McKenzie said in a release. “And we are also pleased to weave youth and families into the fabric of our downtown and welcome them with respect and dignity into the City of Peekskill.”

The services for the young people coming out of foster care will be provided by Bravehearts M.O.V.E. New York, a youth-led non-profit that empowers young adults by the child welfare system, a release said.

State Sen. Harckham said the project is coming to fruition thanks to Children’s Village President Kohomban’s focus to meet the housing needs of young people aging out of foster care, as well as Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins’ recognition of the importance of creating housing.

“By bringing together public investments from Westchester and New York State with private investments, Children’s Village will be providing housing that is 100 percent affordable,” Harckham said in a release. “But best of all, it creates quality housing that is affordable for young adults who risk homelessness without a place to go.”

The building is located within the Peekskill Downtown Local Historic District and near a grocery store, schools, cafes, and restaurants, as well as within walking distance to six different bus routes and the Peekskill Metro North Station.

“Where you live — and where your children go to school — remains the most reliable predictor of both personal success and the second-generation success,” Kohomban said. “Our vision is to create a space that brings the community together in the heart of Peekskill’s Restaurant Row.”

The Children’s Village’s vision for the Workers’ Comp building is to expand its proof of concept from two already successful projects in New York City and show what can be done on a smaller scale in neighborhoods out of the city, a release stated. The project is being designed by Peekskill architect Joseph Thompson.

Kohomban previously told the Peekskill Herald that early estimates for the project are $15 million to $16 million.