The Denton Green Housing senior citizens apartment building at 500 Denton Avenue in Garden City Park is set to receive a $10 million makeover after recently winning a competition for state funding.
Great Neck-based developer SKA Marin, successfully applied for $1,123,919 in a competition for funds offered by the New York State Homes and Community Renewal.
The total estimated cost of the project is $10 million, according to Stephanie Knepper, project manager for Denton Green, and corporate counsel for SKA Marin.
Additional funding is to be secured through the federal low-income housing tax credit program, Knepper said.
“It’s a renovation and refinancing. [Denton Green] is 38 years old and it does need to be improved to keep it efficient,” he said.
Knepper said the Denton Green upgrade will include replacement of windows in the 113 apartments, along with installation of energy-efficient lighting and appliances. The building’s roof also will be replaced, its insulation will be upgraded along with its security system, and exterior masonry will be added. The building will also be made handicapped-accessible, according to Knepper, who said that SKA Marin will “investigate” the heating system and make any needed improvements.
“The scope of the work isn’t defined yet. The other issues will be defined during the feasibility-design phase,” Knepper said. “We want to give the building another 40 years of life.”
Denton Green was constructed in 1972 under provisions of the Limited Profit Housing Companies Act, enacted in 1955 for the purpose of building affordable housing for middle-income residents. The housing developed under this program is more commonly known as Mitchell-Lama housing.
Denton Green, which is owned by Denton Green Housing Co., Inc. , is one of two Mitchell-Lama housing projects in Nassau County.
“We’re excited to have received this funding. It will enable us to upgrade our building to provide a safer, greener and more senior-friendly environment for our residents,” said Hy Portnoy, president of the board of Denton Green.
Sydelle Knepper, founder and owner of SKA Marin, said her company is looking forward to working with the state and the Denton Green community “to ensure that this major resource will continue to be a great asset in the years to come.”
The senior Knepper said she anticipated getting approval from the town and county for the project in the spring of 2012.
“Most of the financing will be in place after the closing,” she said.
Knepper is a former assistant commissioner for development and policy at the state Division of Housing and Community Renewal, director of project finance at the state Housing Finance Agency, and special assistant at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
SKA Marin also built the Landmark on Main Street project in Port Washington, which incorporates 59 senior housing units in the facility that includes the Landmark Theater.
Created as housing that enables local residents to “age in place,” Denton Green is consistent with the objectives of Project Independence, the program created by the Town of North Hempstead to provide services that enable seniors to remain in their homes.
Town of North Hempstead Supervisor Jon Kaiman said the Denton Green rehabilitation project is “truly welcomed,” particularly in light of the scarcity of affordable senior housing on Long Island.
State Sen. Jack Martins (R-Mineola) said the state-funded project is particularly “important” in light of the country’s current financial condition.
“During a difficult economic time, Denton Green enables its residents to continue to live in the area they love,” Martins said.
State Assemblywoman Michelle Schimel called Denton Green “one of the finest examples of affordable housing choices on Long Island.”
Rep. Carolyn McCarthy (D-Mineola) also endorsed the project, saying, “Affordable senior housing is a growing and critical part of the housing mix here on Long Island as the population ages.”
