LIREDC, CDCLI and Conifer Realty break ground on Wincoram Commons; Consists of 176 rental homes/13,300 s/f commercial space

The Long Island Regional Economic Development Council (LIREDC) joined with the Community Development Corp. of Long Island (CDCLI) and Conifer Realty to break ground on Wincoram Commons, a redevelopment project in Suffolk County. This transformational project, which is moving forward on the strength of a $1 million award from governor Andrew Cuomo's Regional Economic Development Council (REDC) initiative, will redevelop a former vacant and blighted site into a new, mixed-use development with 176 workforce rental homes and 13,300 s/f of commercial space, located at 3700 Rte. 112. The project will inject $56 million into the local economy, and is expected to create 145 construction jobs and more than 30 new, permanent jobs. "Today's groundbreaking on Wincoram Commons will transform this community eyesore into a local economic engine," said Long Island REDC Co-chairs Kevin Law, president & CEO, the Long Island Association and Stuart Rabinowitz, president, Hofstra University. "The LIREDC identified Wincoram Commons as a priority project and invested in its future because it will help meet the need for rental housing and be a model for growth and economic development." "Wincoram Commons reached this successful milestone because of the overwhelming support of the Coram community and the commitment, hard work and funding from our public and private sector partners," said Marianne Garvin, president and CEO of CDCLI, a local non-profit celebrating 45 years of service to the region. "Investments of resources into revitalizing communities yield dramatic positive economic and social results and we are proud to be a part of this transformation." Wincoram Commons will provide one- two- and three-bedroom affordable rental homes in a new smart growth community. In addition to the construction of mid-rise apartment buildings and townhomes over flats, the project includes significant infrastructure work, including the connection to a nearby sewer treatment plant. The development will feature commercial space on the first floor of some of the residential buildings, along with a commercial building on Rte. 112 which will serve as a gateway to the community. A leasing office, fitness center and community space will be housed in a separate clubhouse. A connector road will be constructed from Route 112 to Route 25 at the intersection just north of the site and be the main street of the community. A sidewalk will connect the Wincoram Commons to the existing adjacent Avalon Bay at Charles Pond luxury apartment complex. A public plaza and open green space round out this ambitious redevelopment. In September 2012, the Long Island REDC identified Wincoram Commons as a Priority Project for Round II of the REDC initiative. After three rounds of the REDC process, more than $2 billion has been awarded to job creation and community development projects consistent with each region's strategic plans, resulting in creation or retention of more than 100,000 jobs statewide. As part of that process, Community Development Corporation of Long Island was awarded a $1 million grant from Empire State Development to support the mixed-used development, including infrastructure improvements and expansions. In addition, as part of $91 million in awards announced last year by Governor Andrew Cuomo to build affordable housing and revitalize communities, New York State Homes and Community Renewal (HCR) approved $1,154,390 of federal tax credits and $923,624 of state tax credits for the first phase of Wincoram Commons. For Phase II, HCR's New York State Housing Finance Agency will award $7,480,000 of tax-exempt bond financing, $600,000 from the Homes for Working Families program, and $744,038 of state tax credits, as well as $744,038 of federal tax credits. "Breaking ground on the Wincoram Commons redevelopment is a great example of what can be achieved through the strategic state and local partnerships we have fostered under the leadership of Governor Cuomo," said Empire State Development President, CEO & Commissioner Kenneth Adams. "At Empire State Development we aim to invest in projects that create jobs and help to revitalize communities. Wincoram Commons will not only do both, but will also ensure future growth by improving important infrastructure and bringing new business and economic opportunities to the Coram community." "HCR is proud to be part of Wincoram Commons. I congratulate our partners at CDCLI, Conifer, and Empire State Development," said Darryl C. Towns, Commissioner/CEO of HCR. "Governor Andrew Cuomo's Long Island REDC made Wincoram Commons a priority project because it will not only bring affordable homes to Coram, but also jobs, economic activity, and sustainability. This innovative, dynamic development will enhance quality of life in Coram and serve as a model for public and private partnerships that make New York a better place to live." Since the UA Coram Movie Theater closed more than ten years ago, the 17.65 acre vacant site has been an economic drag on the Coram community. The property was tagged as one of the first "monuments to blight" targeted for redevelopment in Brookhaven Town's "Blight to Light" initiative. The local community, through a visioning process, worked with the town to recommend that the site be transformed into a retail and residential town center community. The project was designed and constructed using green building and sustainable community practices. The intent is to provide a convenient town center with retail that will support the needs of the surrounding community and be a very attractive destination to shop for area residents. The Coram Civic Association, which has been very active in the planning of the project, named the development "Wincoram Commons" at its membership meeting in June 2012. Suffolk County committed $2 million in funding toward the infrastructure improvements as part of its Workforce Housing Capital program. "Today's groundbreaking for Wincoram Commons is a great example of the public sector and the private sector working together to promote economic development," said County Executive Steve Bellone. "This development will provide much needed housing opportunities for Long Island residents and redevelops a blighted site in Coram using green and sustainable building practices which serve as a win for the residents, tenants and the Coram community at large. I thank the Community Development Corporation of Long Island and Conifer Realty for bringing this blighted property back to life."