Officials Discuss Fieldhome $90 million Re-Construction Plans to Save It From "Going Under"

With the growing population in the area and people living longer lives, Fieldhome officials are planning an expansion to create an independent living facility, the only one in Northern Westchester County, to accommodate for that need. 

The Yorktown Chamber of Commerce met with representatives from Fieldhome on Wednesday to discuss the planned $90 million, 30-acre re-construction. Fieldhome officials are hoping to expand upon the Catherine Street facility, because, as CEO John Ahearn said he believes, it will not be able to survive as currently constituted.

"If we can’t do this, we can’t stay in business," Ahearn said. "If I do nothing, there will be a burn rate, a deficit rate, each year that will drain whatever small endowment we have.”

Ahearn attributes Fieldhome’s current struggles to the Federal Government’s cuts on Medicare and, especially, Medicaid, which Ahearn said accounts for 70 percent of his revenue.

"Since I've been here, our costs have gone up steadily each year," said Ahearn. "Medicaid is the primary target to close the budget gap… and we received a rate that took us back to the rate we received in the year 2004. So now I am seven years behind the expense curve. In addition, money that I was paid in that period of time that was above the rate, I now have to return. This is incredible. You couldn’t run any business in this county this way."

With the expansion, Fieldhome would then qualify as a Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC), thus lessening its reliance on state funds and saving it from going under. A CCRC is comprised of three elements, which Fieldhome currently has two of - a skilled nursing facility and an assisted living facility. The last piece of the puzzle, an independent living facility, is proposed in the re-construction.

The preliminary figures for the new apartments include an entry fee in the area of $500,000 with a $2,400 per month service charge. Should a resident leave the facility or pass away, a 90 percent return on investment will be paid to the individuals or the estate. The money will be returned within 12 months regardless of Fieldhome’s ability to rent it out again in that time. According to Ahearn, that figure and timetable is guaranteed as part of the state’s regulations.

Chamber of Commerce President Joseph Visconti supported the plan and said he believes there is a large market for such a facility in Yorktown, with the nearest alternatives being located in White Plains.

"I think this project would be an asset to the community," Visconti said. "There's a possibility that some of us may wind up here sometime in the future."

Visconti was not alone in his support, with the presentation being met with little resistance from any of the board members of the Business Development Committee. The only complaint was seemingly directed at how long the project is expected to take.

Ahearn said the project could take up six years to be fully realized. He estimates that each part of the process - the application, the construction and the filling of the building with residents - will take between 18-24 months to complete. Some board members, however, said they would like to see the re-construction take place much sooner.

"I would certainly like to see this fast tracked if we could do it," said CS Construction President Chris Sciarra. "To me, this is done. Let's move forward. I don't want to hear their advisories saying this, that or the other. It's done."

While the board seemed to be in unanimous agreement, concerns that the representatives have heard from the public over the project were acknowledged and addressed. Some issues brought to the Chamber's attention included: increased traffic on Catherine Street; a lack of parking at the facility; and the overall appearance of the building.

"We’d like to design it so it’s homogeneous to the character of what exists in the community," said Ahearn, who also said that a traffic study is being conducted now and will be made available soon.

Also negatively impacted could be Fieldhome staff. Aside from the construction, the new facility will not be creating additional jobs. Ahearn said he plans on downsizing to meet his current economic goals. The reduction of staff is made possible due to the increase of independent living beds, which don’t require the same level of attention as skilled nursing or assisted living beds.

Fieldhome’s proposed 297,400 sq.ft facility actually doubles their zoning right, as well, and will have to meet with the board to have it approved.

Representatives said the town has been favorable to their plans. Fieldhome will continue with their round of meetings on Monday when they will meet with the planning board. They also hope to have a preliminary informational meeting by the fall.