Construction Begins On $38M Mixed-Use Development Near LIRR In Port Jefferson

PORT JEFFERSON, NY — Construction on the $38 million transit-oriented, mixed-use development with 53 units of affordable housing in the village of Port Jefferson has started, Gov. Kathy Hochul's office said.

Perry & Main, at the intersection of Perry Street and Main Street, will replace two vacant properties with a three-story residential and commercial development to complete the revitalization of a prominent corner of Main Street close to public transportation, according to officials.

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The state's Homes and Community Renewal has created or preserved nearly 2,800 affordable homes in Suffolk, and Perry & Main continues the effort as part of the governor's $25 billion five-year housing plan, which is on track to create or preserve 100,000 affordable homes statewide, officials said.

Hochul said the development "demonstrates my administration's commitment to ensuring more New Yorkers have access to high-quality affordable housing in communities where they can thrive."

"By bringing this modern development to a key corner in the village's downtown next to transit, we can connect the building's residents to opportunities, support local businesses and the workforce, and continue Port Jefferson's revitalization," she said. "Perry & Main is an example of growth and affordability working together to create the stable homes and strong communities people deserve."

The mixed-income development will include 33 one-bedroom apartments and 20 two-bedroom apartments affordable to households earning up to 80 percent of the Area Median Income, as well as nearly 2,300-square-feet of commercial space, according to officials.

Five units will be set aside for residents with developmental disabilities, with on-site support services, such as education and training on tenant rights and responsibilities, provided by ACDS and operating funding from the New York State Office for People With Developmental Disabilities, officials said.

Veterans will also be given preference for another five units, and the project will include six units to accommodate residents with mobility disabilities and two units to accommodate residents with sensory disabilities, according to officials.

Perry & Main, which is located one block from the Long Island Rail Road Station, will provide its residents with access to employment opportunities across Long Island and New York City, officials said. The development will advance the priorities of Port Jefferson's Urban Renewal Plan and 2030 Comprehensive Plan Update while furthering the State's Workforce Opportunity Goals, according to officials.

Amenities available to residents will include a fitness room, outdoor space, and a community room with skyline views, officials said.

The all-electric building's sustainability features include Energy Star appliances in every unit, Energy Star lighting, air-source heat pumps for highly efficient heating and cooling, and semi-central energy recovery ventilators for energy-efficient fresh indoor air, according to officials.

Conifer Realty, LLC will serve as the developer of Perry & Main. Community Development Long Island will serve as the nonprofit sponsor and co-managing member, providing support with development, local approvals, marketing, and management, officials said.

Financing includes a mix of public and private sources, including Federal and State Low-Income Housing Tax Credits from HCR that are expected to generate more than $18 million in equity, according to officials.

The project benefits from nearly $7 million in HCR subsidy, officials said.

Empire State Development is supporting the project with $3 million through the Long Island Investment Fund, recommended by the Long Island Regional Economic Development Council, as well as $2 million through the Restore New York Communities Initiative awarded to the village of Port Jefferson to help revitalize underutilized residential and commercial properties, according to officials.

U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer said he is proud that the federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit, which he worked to protect and expand, has generated $15 million to help build 53 new, transit-oriented affordable homes in the county.

"Perry & Main will include supportive apartments reserved for veterans and people with disabilities," he said. "I commend Governor Hochul for creating and preserving affordable housing statewide, and I will not stop fighting for the federal resources needed to support these efforts."

U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand said that a "safe and accessible place to live should be a right, not a privilege, for all New Yorkers."

"This $38 million investment will help revitalize a key neighborhood near Port Jefferson's LIRR Station while combating rising costs throughout Long Island," she said. "I am proud to see over $15 million in Low-Income Housing Tax Credit dollars go to this project, and I will continue fighting for resources to create the affordable, supportive housing that our state needs."

The state's Homes and Community Renewal Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas said the $38 million project with 53 affordable, inclusively designed apartments right next to transit represents countless new opportunities for the development's residents — and tangible progress toward Governor Hochul's bold housing affordability goals."

"We are grateful to our partners in development and local government for shepherding Perry & Main to this critical new phase," she added.

The state's Office for People With Developmental Disabilities Commissioner Willow Baer said that the "dream of having your own space to call home should be attainable for all New Yorkers, including those with developmental disabilities."

"Governor Hochul's housing agenda is helping to make that dream a reality across the state through reimagined properties with tangible amenities, like proximity to public transportation, that support community integration and employment," he said. "OPWDD is grateful for these supportive housing options and for residential planning that is inclusive and representative of our diverse communities."

Empire State Development President, Chief Executive Officer, and Commissioner Hope Knight said that Hochul's "commitment to expanding housing supply is helping communities across New York turn underutilized properties into places where people can live, work and thrive."

"Perry & Main will bring new affordable homes to the heart of Port Jefferson, connect the development's residents to jobs and opportunity through nearby transit, and strengthen a key commercial corridor for years to come," she added.

ESD Board Chair Kevin Law said that "through the Long Island Investment Fund and Restore New York, Empire State Development is providing critical support to advance Perry & Main and Port Jefferson's ongoing revitalization."

"This mixed-use development will replace long-vacant properties with new residential and commercial activity, creating lasting value for the village and the broader Long Island region," he added.

In a statement, LIREDC co-chairs, Linda Armyn and Kimberly Cline said that "the future of Long Island depends on creating communities where people at every stage of life can find a place to call home and remain connected to the people, services and opportunities around them."

"With homes for veterans and residents with intellectual or developmental disabilities alongside new commercial space, Perry & Main reflects the inclusive, community-centered growth we want to see across the region," the statement concluded.

Assemb. Rebecca Kassay said that she is "excited to help welcome this 53-unit transit-oriented affordable housing development to uptown Port Jefferson."

"In the midst of an affordability crisis, affordable housing options are key to making life on Long Island feasible, especially for young professionals, working families, and our seniors," she said. "The inclusion of units with features for residents with hearing and vision impairments is important to ensure supportive housing options for our neighbors with varying needs."

"This mixed-use development will take the place of the blighted, vacant buildings currently on this property, and in doing so, create a safe and reliable living option for folks to live and work in our community, or to utilize nearby public transit to commute," she said. "I commend Conifer Realty and Community Development Long Island for developing this mixed-use commercial and workforce housing plan to help strengthen our district. Welcome to the neighborhood."

Port Jefferson Mayor Lauren Sheprow noted how the village's southern portion "is undergoing a remarkable transformation, and Conifer's projects are leading the way in the southernmost portion of our Village."

"Perry & Main will replace long-vacant, blighted properties with quality housing, new commercial space and a more welcoming gateway into the Village we love," she said. "Its location near the LIRR station strengthens the connection between housing, transportation and our downtown, while bringing new life and opportunity to this important area."

"We are grateful to Governor Hochul, New York State and all of our partners for investing in the continued revitalization of Port Jefferson," she added.

Brookhaven Town Supervisor Daniel Panico noted that Sheprow and the village's board have worked "very hard to revitalize 'Upper Port.'"

"Mayor Sheprow is as determined as she is diligent, and I know this new redevelopment will help enhance the entrance to beautiful Port Jefferson Village," he added.

Conifer Realty Senior Vice President of New York Development Lisa Kaseman said that the project is "the kind of development Long Island needs more of — transforming underutilized, vacant buildings into thriving residential and commercial spaces."

"The village of Port Jefferson has been an outstanding partner from day one," she said. "Our existing Port Jefferson Crossing apartments within the village have a waiting list of more than 800 households, underscoring the critical need for affordable homes in this community."

"Every one of those applications represents a person or family who wants to live in Port Jefferson and can't find a home they can afford — young people who grew up here, seniors who don't want to leave," she said. "Perry & Main won't solve that on its own, but 53 families will have a home because of the collective efforts of our state and local partners."

Community Development Long Island President and CEO Gwen O'Shea said, "At CDLI, we believe the one place that creates the greatest stability for all people is home. Perry & Main brings that vision to life by blending family, workforce, and supportive housing in the walkable and transit-oriented community of Port Jefferson. "

"Strong communities are places where people of different incomes, ages, backgrounds and abilities all have stable housing, and we are incredibly proud this community is making that a reality," she added.