Press Release - Schermerhorn House to rise in Brooklyn

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DATE: May 22, 2006
CONTACTS:
Lynne Hoppe, The Actors’ Fund, 212.221.7300 ext. 129, lhoppe@actorsfund.org
Kelly Castagnaro, Common Ground Community, 212.471.0815, kcastagnaro@commonground.org
Stephen Larkin, Hamlin Ventures press representative, (646) 942-2318, stephen@larkinpr.com
Aaron Donovan, NYC Housing Development Corp. (212) 227-9496, adonovan@nychdc.com
Brian Vines, BP Markowitz’s Office, (718)802-3830, bvines@brooklynbp.nyc.gov

SCHERMERHORN HOUSE TO RISE IN BROOKLYN
Innovative non-profit/government/private partnership to create ‘green’ supportive housing complex

(Brooklyn, NY) - Construction is being launched on Schermerhorn House, a 217-unit supportive housing development in downtown Brooklyn.  The project is an innovative partnership between non-profit organizations, government and the private sector that will revitalize downtown Brooklyn and establish a ‘green’ design standard for affordable housing development throughout New York City.

The project, which is expected to be completed in December 2007, is a collaborative partnership between The Actors’ Fund and Common Ground Community, in collaboration with HS Development Partners LLC, a joint venture of Hamlin Ventures and Time Equities, Inc.  Located on Schermerhorn Street between Smith and Hoyt streets, Schermerhorn House will be an eight-story, 85,000 sq. ft. building complex featuring numerous eco-elements, including two rooftop gardens, a high-efficiency boiler system, the use of non-toxic sustainable materials, and increased natural lighting.

Designed by Polshek Partnership Architects, the building will be part of an exciting, integrated urban neighborhood that will include market-rate housing and retail space.  Half of the more than 200 units will be designated for low-income working tenants, including local artists, actors and entertainment professionals, and half will be reserved for homeless individuals and those with special needs.  Once the building is complete, The Actors’ Fund will provide on-site support services tailored to each tenant’s need, and Common Ground will provide on-site building management.

“The Actors’ Fund is excited to be part of this innovative partnership,” said Actors’ Fund Executive Director Joe Benincasa.  “This project responds to the need for additional supportive housing for entertainment professionals and recognizes the invaluable role the arts play in the long-term and successful economic revitalization of urban neighborhoods.”

"We are thrilled that supportive housing is a component of this exciting new neighborhood," said Common Ground President Rosanne Haggerty.  "Our partnership at Schermerhorn House with market rate developers, the local community, private funders and government makes this project an example of truly visionary community planning and development."

In 2002, HS Development Partners Francis Greenburger and Abby Hamlin approached Common Ground and The Actors’ Fund with a proposal: the partnership would donate a portion of the site’s developable area so that the two not-for profits could create a supportive housing residence of 100 units, fulfilling the site’s 30% affordable housing requirement.  HS Partners eventually doubled the number of affordable units to be created, thereby far exceeding the City and State requirement.

The May 23rd groundbreaking marks the start of phase two of the Hoyt-Schermerhorn Urban Renewal Site, a two acre parcel of land Hamlin and Greenburger are developing as a model for urban development demonstrating both the importance for and viability of architecturally significant housing for both consumers of market rate new developments and beneficiaries of low and middle income housing. "The idea is to have an organized way to bring economically diverse groups together," said Abby Hamlin, Hamlin Ventures LLC president.

“As the new Downtown Brooklyn takes shape as a world-class 24/7 live-work community, Schermerhorn House will ensure that the area reflects the diversity that defines Brooklyn,” said Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz. “The development’s 200-plus moderate-income units will enable artists to continue to make Brooklyn New York City’s creative capital, while empowering the formerly homeless to pursue their own American Dream. I just wish we had a dozen more like it!”

Project funding sources include the New York City Housing Development Corporation, the New York City Department of Housing, Preservation and Development, low-income tax credits, Federal Home Loan Bank funds, the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, the Robin Hood Foundation and other private donors.

“We are very excited to help make this innovative building a reality,” said Emily A. Youssouf, the president of the New York City Housing Development Corp. “From Downtown Brooklyn to Bushwick to East New York, Brooklyn’s affordable housing supply is growing tremendously because of our programs.”

As part of the project, The Schermerhorn Community Room/Theatre will be a ground-floor, 2,000 square foot ‘black box’ theater and multi-purpose space.  This space will be managed by The Actors’ Fund and will be open to the public for community art shows, rehearsals and performances, films, exhibitions and other cultural activities.

The Schermerhorn House staff will collaborate with such organizations as the Visiting Nurse Service of New York, God’s Love We Deliver, STRIVE (Support and Training Result in Valuable Employees), local arts organizations, and local social service and health service providers in developing programs for its residents, including performances by local community arts groups, workshops on such topics as preventive health care, financial management and career development, support groups for chemical dependency, HIV/AIDS and women’s health issues, social gatherings such as literary readings, dance performances and special events.

To mark the start of construction, an official groundbreaking ceremony is being held Tuesday, May 23, at 11:30 a.m. at the building site.  Speakers and invited participants include Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz, New York City Housing Development Corporation President Emily Youssouf, NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development Deputy Commissioner Rafael Cestero, City Council Member David Yassky, Common Ground President Rosanne Haggerty, The Actors’ Fund Executive Director Joe Benincasa, Hamlin Ventures President Abby Hamlin, and Time Equities, Inc. Chairman Francis Greenburger.

The Actors Fund is a nationwide human services organization that helps all professionals - both performers and those behind the scenes - in performing arts and entertainment.  Founded in 1882, The Fund serves those in film, theatre, television, music, opera, and dance with a broad spectrum of programs including comprehensive social services, health services, supportive and affordable housing, emergency financial assistance, employment and training services, and skilled nursing and assisted living care.  Administered from offices in New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago, The Actors Fund is a safety net, providing programs and services for those who are in need, crisis, or transition.  Please visit The Actors Fund website at www.actorsfund.org.

Common Ground’s mission is to solve homelessness. Common Ground accomplishes this mission by moving homeless people from streets and shelters into homes, and by assisting those most vulnerable to homelessness to maintain their housing. Common Ground is a 501 (c) 3 not for profit organization established in 1990 with programs in New York City, New York’s Hudson Valley, and Connecticut.