Ground broken for new homes on historic Bronx site.

Public officials and community-based developers have broken ground on a "green" low-income affordable housing development to be built on the historic site of the now derelict Denison-White Mansion in the Bronx.

Located at 745 Fox Street in the Longwood Historic District of the Bronx, Cedars, will consist of the new construction of an 8-story elevator apartment building containing 93-affordable apartments with 28 units available to senior citizens (55 years and older) and to families consisting of grandparents raising grandchildren or "grand-families" referred to permanent housing from New York City shelters.

The project will entail the restoration of the 1850's-era mansion on the site that will serve as a community center for tenants and the surrounding community.

The New York City Housing Development Corporation financed the construction and rehabilitation of the buildings by issuing $13.675 million in tax-exempt bonds and lending the proceeds to a partnership comprised of The Lantern Group and Friends in the City, Inc., both non-profit developers of affordable housing. HDC also lent $5.17 million from its corporate reserves to finance construction of the building, leading to a total HDC investment of more than $18.8 million.

"From grandfamilies to new families, HDC is excited to help New Yorkers find decent homes by being apart of this collaboration of innovative strategies," said Emily A. Youssouf, president of The New York City Housing Development Corporation.

"Our developments like Cedars are fueling the South Bronx housing boom and have allowed HDC to become the No. 1 issuer of multi-family affordable housing bonds in the nation."

Under the Homeless Housing and Assistance Program (HHAP), The State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance provided a $4.5 million grant for the development of the building. Through HHAP, grants and loans are provided to acquire, construct and rehabilitate housing for persons who are or would otherwise be homeless.

An attractive component of Cedars is its inclusion of "green" building elements. The building has received design and development grant awards from New York State's Energy Conservation Agency, NYSERDA, which will fund a geothermal system for heating and cooling, fiberglass frame windows, low energy fixtures, appliances and equipment, and use of recycled or sustainable natural materials in the construction and finishes.

The New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) worked closely with Urban Architectural Initiatives, a design-oriented architectural and planning firm with extensive experience in multi-family residences, and the Lantern Group to ensure the preservation of the 19th century character of the building and surrounding Longwood Historic District.

The Lantern Group will provide development services during the planning, development, construction, and start-up phases of the project. The Lantern Group has developed and operates nearly 1,000 units of supportive and low-income housing at ten sights throughout Manhattan, the Bronx, and Brooklyn.

Friends in the City, Inc., the project sponsor, worked on the financing, social service programming, historical research, and architectural design of the building. Once the development is operational, services will be delivered by Friends in the City, with technical support from The Lantern Group as needed.