Senator Martins Joins With Community Leaders for Groundbreaking in New Cassel

Jack M. Martins

October 12, 2012

Senator Jack M. Martins joined with Community Development Corporation of Long Island (CDCLI) and partner Conifer Realty, LLC to host a groundbreaking ceremony for Cathedral Place Apartments – which was awarded state resources through Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s Regional Council initiative to build 36 units of rental housing in New Cassel. Senator Martins not only represents the community, but is also a member of the Long Island Regional Economic Development Council.

“Today’s groundbreaking ceremony represents another major step in the revitalization of New Cassel,” said Senator Martins. “Thanks to the vision of the community and the hard work of the Unified New Cassel Community Revitalization Corporation in cooperation with all of our state and local stakeholders, this project has become a reality. The revitalization efforts taking place in New Cassel, with state and local government empowering a local vision, is a model for all.”

“We are proud to be a part of the revitalization of New Cassel through the development of much-needed workforce rental housing,” said Marianne Garvin, President & CEO of CDCLI. “This has been a true collaborative effort between federal, state and local government, private partners and the community.”

“Under Governor Cuomo’s leadership, the Regional Council has fostered business growth and job creation, but we also prioritized supporting affordable housing projects like Cathedral Place to improve quality of life and ensure Long Island families have a safe roof over their heads,” said Regional Council Co-chairs Kevin Law and Stuart Rabinowitz. “With shovels in the ground, this is another step forward in creating a more prosperous Long Island by helping put more people to work and building stronger communities. The CDCLI and Conifer Realty have been great partners to the Council and we look forward to the completion of this project and our continued work together.”

Cathedral Place Apartments, located at 1000-1036 Prospect Avenue, will house families with a mix of 18 one-bedroom units, 14 two-bedroom units and 4 three-bedroom units within a single, three-story building that will also include community space, a fitness room and onsite management/leasing office. Twenty-two families earning no more than 50 percent of Area Median Income (AMI), approximately $43,000 for a two-person family, up to $53,750 for four- person family, and 14 families earning no more than 60 percent of AMI, approximately $51,600 for two people and up to $64,500 for four people, will have new rental housing as a result of this funding. Rents will be $962 for a one-bedroom, $1,153 for a two-bedroom and $1,327 for a three-bedroom unit.

Due to the collaborative effort of local government and community stakeholders, Prospect Avenue in New Cassel is a vibrant commercial and residential center. Cathedral Place Apartments will revitalize the last vacant blighted site on Prospect Avenue and is the culmination of North Hempstead’s decade-long effort to rejuvenate the community.