Brookhaven IDA Approves Incentive Package For $34.75M Port Jefferson Commons Affordable Housing Project

PORT JEFFERSON, NY — Brookhaven Town's Industrial Development Agency closed Monday on a package of economic incentives for the proposed $34.75 million affordable rental complex known as Port Jefferson Commons, the agency's chairman, Frederick Braun, said Thursday.

The 73,430-square-foot, 53-unit complex, which is proposed in a partnership of the non-profit Community Development of Long Island and Conifer Realty LLC of Rochester, is to be constructed on a half-acre currently blighted site at 1601-1605 Main Street in Port Jefferson Village.

It will take 18 months to complete.

Conifer and Community Development have together completed other affordable housing developments on Long Island, including the newly constructed Port Jefferson
Crossing, which is next to the project, and also received financial assistance through the IDA.

Brain said the project "will help to revive what has been a blighted site."

“It also presents an opportunity to create high-quality affordable housing in Upper Port by furthering the village’s ongoing revitalization efforts," he said.

The project, which is close to the Port Jefferson Long Island Rail Road station, furthers the village’s goals for Upper Port as outlined in its Urban Renewal Plan and 2030 Comprehensive Plan update, according to Braun.

It also adheres to the state’s goals for workforce opportunities, he said.

Conifer Senior Vice President for New York Development Lisa Kaseman said the project "reflects thoughtful, transit-oriented development that transforms a prominent corner of Main Street."

“We’re proud to continue our partnership with the Town of Brookhaven IDA, Community Development of Long Island, Suffolk County, NYS Homes and Community Renewal, and the Village of Port Jefferson to build on the momentum established at our neighboring Port Jefferson Crossing community," she said. "This development expands housing opportunity and supports the village’s long-term vision for a more vibrant and thriving Main Street.”

The complex will consist of 32 one-bedroom units and 20 two-bedroom units targeted at households earning 30 percent, 50 percent, 60 percent, and 80 percent of Area Median Income.

It also will include a one-bedroom superintendent’s unit.

The project is to remain affordable for at least 50 years.

The concrete lower level will have 60 parking spaces, apartments, commercial space, a fitness room, lobby, mail
room, and laundry on the ground floor.

The upper two stories will be wood-frame construction that will include the remaining residential units and a community room. All the apartments will be Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant, with six fully adapted units designated for mobility-impaired residents and two units adapted for hearing and vision-impaired residents.

The developers plan to rent about 2,485 square feet of the ground floor for retail/office space, including a potential green grocer/market.

The village has been highly supportive of the project and has committed $2 million in Restore New York funding to the project, according to Braun.

Conifer and Community Development have partnered on the project with New York-based Regions Affordable Housing, a state and federal low-income housing-tax-credit
investor, he said.

The project was approved by the IDA last August.