$160M QWest Towers Near Metro-North Train Station Break Ground In Mount Vernon

MOUNT VERNON, NY — Construction is now underway on QWest Towers, a $160 million affordable housing development in Mount Vernon.

The project is expected to create 229 homes across two newly constructed residential buildings next to the Mount Vernon West Metro-North station. Gov. Kathy Hochul announced the start of work on the project, which will replace vacant, dilapidated buildings in the city's transit-oriented development zone.

The development will include apartments affordable to households earning up to 80 percent of the Area Median Income. Plans call for a mix of studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments, along with about 3,300 square feet of ground-floor commercial space. The project will also include 12 units for residents with mobility disabilities and seven units for residents with sensory disabilities.

"To combat the housing shortage impacting all New Yorkers, we need to build more housing — full stop," Governor Hochul said. "We continue to work closely with developers and municipalities to identify opportunities to bring modern, affordable homes to places like Mount Vernon. Our investment in QWest Towers will offer the development's residents the benefit of modern apartments in a transit-oriented neighborhood while also supporting the ongoing revitalization of the city."

QWest Towers is located within the Mount Vernon West Transit-Oriented Development Zone and is intended to give residents direct access to Metro-North rail service to destinations in Westchester County, New York City, and the Hudson Valley. The project is being developed in partnership between Stagg Group, Simone Development Companies and Rev. Dr. L'Judie Matt-Simmons.

QWest Towers is designed as an all-electric development that will meet Energy Star Multifamily New Construction and Enterprise Green Communities standards, according to the state. Planned features include landscaped roofs, electric vehicle charging, Energy Star appliances, low-flow plumbing fixtures and low-emitting construction materials. Residents will also have access to rooftop recreation areas, community rooms, and two structured parking garages with a combined 170 parking spaces for residents and commercial tenants.

Financing includes federal and state low-income housing tax credits from New York State Homes and Community Renewal that are expected to generate more than $69 million in equity, along with $32.5 million in HCR subsidy loans and $5 million from Empire State Development's Mid-Hudson Momentum Fund. Additional public funding includes more than $19 million from Westchester County through its Housing Flex Fund and New Homes Land Acquisition Program.