Mayor Philip Amicone, chairman of the Yonkers Industrial Development Agency (IDA) joined Westchester County executive Rob Astorino, city and county legislators and Ron Moelis the CEO of L+M Development Partners Inc. for the ceremonial opening of 330 Riverdale, a new, multifamily housing development. The $54.4 million project located on Riverdale Ave. between Morris and Post Sts. provides 137 apartments for current and future working families in the city. 330 Riverdale is the result of the partnership among city, county, and state public agencies and the private sector. Also in attendance for the ribbon cutting were: Ellen Lynch, president and CEO, Yonkers IDA; Gregory Watson, director of the N.Y.C. Regional Office, NYS Homes and Community Renewal (HCR); Jon Cortell, VP, L+M; Wilson Terrero city council member; Todd Gomez, Northeast Region executive, Community Development Banking, Bank of America Merrill Lynch; and other state, county and local officials. The architect was Jack Coogan, OCV Architects and the builder was County Builders LLC. Before the ribbon cutting, Amicone presented Zakiyyah Luqman and her children, the designated "first family" of 330 Riverdale, with a housewarming gift basket. Residents will begin moving in this summer. "A few years ago, the site was nothing more than an undeveloped lot filled with weeds and debris," said Amicone. "Now with vital financial incentives from the Yonkers IDA and the assistance of our partners in government and the private sector, hard working families who struggle to make ends meet can live in the kind of high-quality apartments they deserve. Congratulations to L+M Development and all those who made this day possible." "This public-private sector initiative to promote fair and affordable housing was accomplished with the help of more than $7.6 million from county programs run by our planning department," said Astorino. "The result is new homes for families and individuals that will enhance the neighborhood. Congratulations to everyone who made this possible." "330 Riverdale demonstrates the best in public-private partnerships," said Moelis, co-founder and CEO of L+M Development Partners. "Financing for this project closed in December 2008, during what was perhaps the lowest point of the recession, yet our close collaboration with the city of Yonkers, the county, the state, and our investment partners still allowed for the successful creation of high-quality, affordable living opportunities for local families in need and has further helped to stimulate economic growth downtown." 330 Riverdale has 137 units of affordable housing in one 12-story tower and includes studios, one, two and three-bedroom units. Each new home is equipped with stainless steel appliances, bamboo flooring, and large, sliding windows. The building also features over 200 parking spaces, on-site laundry, a children's play room, a gym, and a community room. The building is close to downtown Yonkers and benefits from easy access to public transportation, including the Ludlow-Metro North train station. L+M also dedicated space in the community room to function as a "Business Center," which will serve residents by providing resources for individual and group job training and education. Individuals will have access to computers with Wi-Fi, as well as a library of literature on resume and skill development opportunities. Space will also be set aside for one-on-one job training sessions with representatives from local employers. Apartments at 330 Riverdale will be available to individuals and families with incomes no higher than 60% of the Westchester County Area Median Income (AMI). 20% of the units will be set aside for those earning 50% of the AMI. To keep apartment rents affordable and to help enable L+M obtain the necessary financing, the Yonkers IDA approved incentives, including a 30-year real property tax agreement and a sales and uses tax exemption for construction. 330 Riverdale received financing, including four percent low income housing tax credits from HCR, which is an integration of the housing and community renewal agencies of NYS. The award was made by one of HCR's affiliate agencies - the NYS Housing Finance Agency (HFA) with the commitment of HFA tax-exempt bonds (the "Bonds"). The Bonds for this development were enhanced by a letter of credit from Bank of America, which is also the source of equity proceeds from the sale of the tax credits. The New York State Division of Housing and Community Renewal and Westchester County also provided subsidy financing for the project. "This is a terrific example of strong public and private partnerships and I thank mayor Amicone and Ron Moelis of L+M Development Partners for working with HCR to bring 330 Riverdale to life. This development will make Yonkers an even better place to live, revitalize an important neighborhood in the heart of the city, and help alleviate Westchester County's shortage of affordable housing," said Darryl C. Towns, Commissioner/CEO of New York State Homes and Community Renewal. "Multiple HCR programs were leveraged to make 330 Riverdale a reality, including funds from the Housing Trust Fund Corporation and the Housing Finance Agency. Coordinating programs and resources allows HCR to make projects like this possible and create decent, affordable homes and stronger communities across the State. Congratulations to the residents who will enjoy 330 Riverdale Ave. and all it offers." "L+M Development Partners is an outstanding developer in this market and we were delighted to utilize our ability to provide $49.7 million of debt and equity financing to facilitate the construction of 330 Riverdale Apartments," said Todd Gomez, Northeast Region executive, Community Development, Bank of America Merrill Lynch. "The 137 new units will provide a high quality, affordable housing opportunity for individuals and families. Creating opportunities for safe, affordable housing is the primary focus of our Community Development Banking business. In addition, it is important to Bank of America that 330 Riverdale will contribute significantly to the vitality of the surrounding neighborhood and the city of Yonkers." 330 Riverdale is the first of multiple investments L+M is making in Yonkers. In April 2011, the firm celebrated with its public and private sector partners the groundbreaking for 49 North Broadway, a 92-unit development in downtown Yonkers, which will be ready for occupancy in the winter of 2012/13. 326 Riverdale Owners LLC, an L+M Development Partners venture, developed 330 Riverdale in partnership with Bank of America, the Yonkers IDA, the City of Yonkers, and the County of Westchester.