New City, NY – On Wednesday, County Executive Ed Day, alongside nine members of the County Legislature and Clarkstown Supervisor George Hoehmann, announced a pivotal plan to redevelop the long-vacant Sain Building, located at 18 New Hempstead Road, into mixed-use commercial space and workforce housing.
The Sain Building, which has been vacant since 2017, is being declared surplus by the Legislature, allowing for the County’s Division of Purchasing to issue a Request for Proposals (RFP) for its redevelopment. This 3.69-acre site will play a key role in addressing the county’s housing challenges while stimulating the local economy.
“Rockland County is at a crossroads,” said County Executive Ed Day. “We’ve heard from seniors, families, business owners, and young adults about the challenges they face in finding affordable housing. This housing crisis is not just about homes—it’s about the future of our community. We must act decisively to ensure that Rockland remains a place where people can live, work, and thrive.”
Several members of the Rockland County Legislature attended the announcement, including Lon Hofstein, Beth Davidson, Doug Jobson, Will Kennelly, Jesse Malowitz, Aney Paul, Ray Sheridan, Aron Wieder, and Itamar Yeger.
Legislative Chair Jay Hood Jr. emphasized the significance of the housing crisis in Rockland, stating, “The national housing crisis is happening right here in Rockland and taking steps to address it is important for our residents, our economy, and our county’s quality of life. The new housing loan fund and the redevelopment of existing county-owned properties such as the Sain building can assist the overall effort to increase housing opportunities.”
Legislative Vice Chair Aney Paul congratulated all those involved, noting, “There are potentially many benefits once the property is declared ‘surplus’ and we launch the process to solicit development ideas. So many people are moving to Rockland County because ours is one of the best counties, and we must work to ensure that trend continues.”
The redevelopment will not only create much-needed workforce housing for essential workers but also contribute significantly to local tax revenue. Legislator Lon Hofstein highlighted the economic advantages, saying, “Placing this property on the tax rolls will provide an additional source of funds to help improve county services. Affordable housing for our essential workers will help address a long-standing need in our community.”
Clarkstown Town Supervisor George Hoehmann also praised the collaborative effort, stating, “Our comprehensive plan called for mixed-use housing here at the Sain building, and in anticipation of this day, I want to thank the County Executive and County Legislature for working together and their vision for this property.”
In addition to the redevelopment of the Sain Building, Rockland County has launched several key initiatives to address the housing crisis, including:
- Housing Action Loan Opportunity: With the unanimous support of the County Legislature, $13.5 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds have been allocated for direct loans to create or preserve workforce housing. Demand for this program has been high, with application requests exceeding $29.7 million.
- Countywide Housing Education Campaign: A new marketing campaign will soon launch to educate residents on housing needs and dispel common myths about affordable housing.
The announcement follows the completion of the county’s first Housing Needs Assessment, conducted by Hudson Valley Pattern for Progress, which revealed that over 40% of Rockland residents spend more than 30% of their income on housing costs, with median home prices soaring to $700,000.
The redevelopment of the Sain Building is expected to generate nearly half a million dollars in annual property taxes, while providing new housing options and supporting the local workforce. Adam Bosch, CEO of Hudson Valley Pattern for Progress, commended the initiative, saying, “Rockland County should be applauded for pursuing smart and aggressive strategies to combat its housing shortage.”
The Sain Building redevelopment marks a major step in Rockland County’s efforts to ensure a sustainable future for its residents and businesses.
For more information on the Sain Building redevelopment and related housing initiatives, stay tuned for updates from the County Executive’s office.