Categories: New York City, Member News, Openings
11.30.2022
On November 3rd, Breaking Ground was joined by 100 project partners, electeds and well-wishers to celebrate its ribbon cutting and official opening of 90 Sands located in one of the most expensive neighborhoods in New York City, DUMBO. A former hotel for the Jehovah’s Witnesses, 90 Sands is second only to Breaking Ground’s Times Square in size, providing a total of 491 affordable apartments for individuals and families, including 305 for people who have experienced homelessness. On-site services are provided by Center for Urban Community Services (CUCS) and funded by the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.
Board Chair Michael Franco kicked off the event noting: “This is what happens when vision meets determination.”
President and CEO Brenda Rosen acted as emcee saying the moment she first saw 90 Sands, she knew it was perfect for supportive housing.
NYC Chief Housing Officer Jessica Katz spoke next saying that despite the fact that her portfolio includes all NYC affordable housing, “supportive housing is where my heart is.”
HPD Commissioner Adolfo Carrion Jr. thanked all assembled for “creating respectful, dignified housing.”
Council member Lincoln Restler spoke next promising “you can count on us to be the best neighbors possible to our 491 new neighbors,” adding “we need to do this 1000 times over.”
Assembly member Jo Anne Stein noted “I’ve been talking about supportive housing for years…I’m a big fan.”
Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso added “we are going to be defined as a society by how we treat those most in need.”
As part of her emceeing, Brenda pointed out that “it costs less to house people here and provide support services than keeping them homeless.”
Also speaking were Otis Rolley, of Wells Fargo, Baaba Halm of Enterprise Community Partners, Greg Maher of the Leviticus Fund, and Abbey Nyamekye of CUCS.
The 30 story building features breathtaking views of New York City including multiple bridges. Amenities include a digital library, a fitness room, a multipurpose room for community events and meetings, as well as extensive bike storage. Breaking Ground also plans to bring in community-serving uses to occupy more than 20,000 square feet of commercial and community space on the ground floor and lower level.
Funding for 90 Sands came from 501c3 and taxable bonds from NYC Housing Development Corporation as well as capital subsidy. Construction financing was also supported by a grant from the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York’s Affordable Housing Program. JPMorgan Chase provided a construction letter of credit. Additional support came from Wells Fargo, Deutsche Bank and National Grid. Monadnock Construction was the general contractor and Beyer Blinder Belle was the project architect.