Members of MacQuesten Development and New York State Homes and Community Renewal joined city and state officials Friday afternoon to announce the beginning of construction on The Modern, a multiuse transit-oriented development that is within walking distance of the Mount Vernon West Metro-North station.
When completed, the 11-story building on Mount Vernon Avenue will feature 80 affordable housing units for rent, and 9,400 square feet of commercial and possible medical space on the first two floors. There will also be a parking structure with 89 spaces on the property.
“These projects require cooperation, participation and collaboration. Three years ago, nothing was happening,” Mayor Ernest Davis said. “Right now, we have at least seven projects, including this one, that are being built in the city. Never before has there been building in this city of this.”
U.S. Rep. Eliot Engel, who noted he grew up in affordable housing himself, said that this project, combined with the $18 million Grace Terrace affordable housing development that breaks ground Sunday, show that Mount Vernon is a city on the rise.
“Mount Vernon is a city on the move,” he remarked. “I’m honored to represent a place where you know the people in charge can put their heads together and get things done.”
It is anticipated that The Modern will create more than 200 temporary construction jobs, with 100 permanent jobs on the way when work is completed. It is expected to be open in the fall of next year.
“A lot of people come to see us (about development projects), and as we’ve seen, some of the projects in Mount Vernon have been disappointing,” state Sen. Ruth Hassell-Thompson said. “This building represents something extraordinary, and the people of Mount Vernon deserve something extraordinary.”
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