County and Clarkstown seek developers for former site of Sain Building

The County government has taken another step toward redeveloping a long vacant piece of property in the heart of New City. On June 5, County Executive Ed Day, Legislative Chair Jay Hood, Legislative Minority Leader Lon Hofstein, Chair of Budget and Finance Committee Legislator Itamar Yeger, announced the publication of a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the redevelopment of the roughly 3.69-acre Sain Building site at 18 New Hempstead Road, New City.

“Rockland’s housing challenges are well documented; rents have skyrocketed, older residents are being priced out, and our young people can’t afford to stay. But we are taking action; I am thrilled to be working with the County Legislature on the redevelopment of this derelict site into a mixed-use space that provides workforce housing for our cost-burdened residents and puts this property back on the tax rolls to the benefit of all our taxpayers,” said County Executive Ed Day. The County Executive had for over a decade been a proponent of selling the property, but has pivoted in recent years to a solution that properly utilizes the space while leaving the lot under government ownership. 

Rockland County Legislative Chair Jay Hood Jr. said, “It is crucial to address the shortage of workforce housing in Rockland for the well-being of our residents, our economy, and our overall quality of life. We want to improve workforce housing opportunities not only because it helps us to maintain a skilled workforce and retain younger generations, but also because it is the right thing to do. I look forward to collaborating with my legislative colleagues and the County Executive as we evaluate the proposals and identify those that can offer appropriate new workforce housing opportunities.”

After an announcement in October 2024, the County Legislature voted unanimously to declare the Sain property surplus on November 6, 2024. The County then held two Open House sessions in January to seek feedback from neighbors of the property. All of the feedback from neighbors is included as an attachment to the RFP.

Key requirements of the RFP:

– At least 75% of units will be affordable for workforce and middle-income earners

– Units can be either rental or homeownership or a mix

– At least 10% of the site must be used for public open space

– Prioritize outdoor community areas such as picnic tables, benches, sustainable landscaping incorporating native plantings, and stormwater management

– 40-foot buffer of landscaped vegetation between any new building on the site and the residential properties on Eberling Drive & Clark Place

– No entrance/exit to Eberling Drive

– Compliance with Rockland County Green Building Standards and Uniform Federal Accessibility Standards

– Demolition of existing on-site buildings

– Compliance with the Town of Clarkstown zoning regulations if the site is purchased or leased:

– Current zoning allows for 10 units per acre for any age residential, and 21 units per acre for senior housing

– Each unit must be between 500 and 1,250 square feet and no more than two bedrooms

– Buildings may not exceed 35 feet in height

Developers are encouraged to engage with the Town of Clarkstown regarding existing/potential zoning.

In a statement shared with the RCT, Rockland County Legislative Minority Leader Lon Hofstein wrote “Returning this property to the tax rolls is a huge positive for the community and as the legislator whose district includes this parcel, I am eagerly awaiting proposals that will return this property to productive use while providing much needed housing. I appreciate the efforts of the County Executive and his administration and look forward to collaborating with them to see this project come to fruition.”

Rockland County Legislature Budget & Finance Committee Chair Itamar Yeger added “We have a significant shortage of housing in Rockland County, and this project has the potential to positively impact the lives of some of our residents. I am optimistic that we can offer as much additional housing as possible, but this can only be achieved if we effectively maximize the use of the property. I want to extend my gratitude to everyone involved in this endeavor because tackling a housing project is no small challenge, even one aimed at benefiting our workforce.”

Developers responding to the RFP should be prepared to conduct at least two public engagement sessions, in person or hybrid, where public feedback can be given on the plans for redevelopment, one session targeting the immediate residential/business neighbors, and the other geared to the community at large.

Proposals must be submitted by Wednesday, September 17, 2025. Public engagement sessions will be held in the late fall or winter of this year.