Construction is now underway for Willow at the Ridgeway, an upcoming 8-story, all-electric residential building at 23 Bishop W.J. Walls Pl. in Yonkers.
The building will feature 92 affordable apartments, which will be supported by Section 8 project-based vouchers and are intended to serve low-income seniors. All 92 units will be reserved for seniors who earn no more than 60% of the area median income.
The construction project is a collaboration between the Community Builders and the Mulford Corporation, a nonprofit affiliate of the Yonkers Housing Authority formed to develop, manage and facilitate affordable housing in the neighborhood.
Willow at the Ridgeway will replace three vacant public housing buildings. The construction of this building represents the last phase of the redevelopment of the former Cottage Place Gardens campus, which has been ongoing for more than ten years.
Planned amenities at Willow at the Ridgeway include high-speed internet, a resident terrace with a solar canopy, a landscaped courtyard with seating, garden beds and a bocce court. The building is being built so that it meets the Passive House Institute U.S. (PHIUS) and Enterprise Green Communities standards. There will also be a rooftop solar array and Energy Star appliances to help meet these standards.
The entire construction project is expected to cost an estimated $30 million. Federal and state low-income housing tax credits are being used to help finance the project. Other financing comes via the New York State Homes and Community Renewal (HCR), which is contributing over $10 million in subsidies, Empire State Development, which is contributing $2.7 million, Westchester County, the City of Yonkers and the Brownfield Cleanup Program.
“The people of Yonkers are acutely aware that New York desperately needs more affordable, energy-efficient housing,” New York State Governor Hochul said. “As we break ground on Willow at the Ridgeway, we are once again demonstrating that we’re willing to do what it takes to boost the supply of quality homes, to transform vacant properties and to create opportunities for seniors to age in place or relocate to be part of this city’s bright future.”
