Rockland County Executive Padlocks the Sain Building

NEW CITY, NY — Rockland County Executive Ed Day today padlocked the Sain Building as it was permanently closed. All the county offices that had been in the deteriorating building have been relocated to new quarters in Pomona.

"Today we happily mark the end of an era in Rockland County government," he said as he stood on the steps of the building on New Hempstead Road. "The Sain Building is now officially closed. It is now a six-story paperweight."

The last county office in the Sain Building, the Department of Finance, moved over the weekend.

Those employees joined the Department of Personnel, Consumer Protection, Economic Growth and Tourism and the Youth Bureau in newly renovated offices at the Dr. Robert Yeager Health Center complex in Pomona.

Building A at the Health Center is becoming a health and human services hub.

The County Executive again urged the Rockland County Legislature to declare the six-story building - now empty - surplus and sell it.

"The Sain Building outlived its usefulness to the County long ago," he said. "It is now time to move into the future."

A developer has offered to buy the county-owned Sain Building for $4.51 million. That's $510,000 over the assessed value, Day pointed out.

The developer wants to knock down the deteriorating building and build a two-story assisted living complex for seniors; and also create a small pocket park in the front of the property bordering New Hempstead Road for the public to enjoy at no charge.

The Town of Clarkstown has endorsed the plan, which would return the property to the tax rolls.

The County Executive would like to take some of the proceeds from the sale of the Sain Building and put it toward settlements of expired union contracts.

"We have an opportunity to give our dedicated employees a raise," Day said. "Let's take that opportunity."

He noted that the Legislature took the first step toward remaking the footprint of County government when it sold the Bank of New York building in 2012.

Day asked the Legislature again to declare the property surplus and authorize the sale of the empty Sain Building."Let's get rid of an eyesore in the center of New City and add a ratable to the tax roll," he said. "It's time to embrace the future."

PHOTO/ Rockland County Executive's Office