Infrastructure & Housing - 2026-03-02
Meeting Intelligence Preview
Meeting Summary
The Infrastructure & Housing committee meeting focused primarily on administrative and operational matters, with no major real estate development approvals. Key items included authorization of a $5 million bond act for tax certiorari payments (with increased activity expected in Yonkers, White Plains, and Greenberg due to commercial property value decreases), a one-year extension of an IMA with NYC DEP for subsurface sewage treatment system reviews, and approval of a $25 million bond for Building 1 rehabilitation at Westchester County Airport.
Key Decisions (4)
Tax Certiorari Bond Authorization - $5 Million
Authorization for bond act to finance up to $5 million in tax certiorari payments for 2026 through the general fund. Historical payments have been approximately $2.9 million annually, but increased activity is expected in Yonkers, White Plains, and Greenberg due to commercial property value decreases from vacancies. The county has not bonded for tax certioraris in several years; this is a contingency authorization.
NYC DEP IMA Extension for Subsurface Sewage Treatment Systems
One-year extension of Intermunicipal Agreement between NYC Department of Environmental Protection and Westchester County Department of Health for review and issuance of written determinations for new, altered, modified, or remediated subsurface sewage treatment systems (SSTSs). Original IMA from 2016 with automatic five-year renewals expired December 2025. Extension allows time to negotiate new agreement terms.
Westchester County Airport Building 1 Rehabilitation - $25 Million Bond
Bond authorization for $25 million to rehabilitate Building 1 at Westchester County Airport, a 25,000 square foot facility over 70 years old with no major rehabilitation. Current tenants include WCPD (27 officers), Department of Public Safety, Inland Deicing Services, Air Culinary (corporate kitchen), and Civil Air Patrol. Building has no heat, no hot water, and deteriorating walls. Project includes $7 million structural/foundation work, $7.5 million MEP systems, solar panels, natural gas connection, and underground oil tank removal.
Refuse Disposal District IMA Extension with 36 Municipalities
Five-year extension of Intermunicipal Agreement between Westchester County (on behalf of refuse disposal district) and 36 participating municipalities for waste and recyclables delivery and disposal. Extension runs retroactively from 10/22/2024 through 10/21/2029. Current tipping fee is $45 per ton; recycling remains free. County has over 50% recycling rate and has reduced residential waste by 27% (140,000 tons annually) over two decades.
Development Activity (5)
Westchester County Airport Building 1 Rehabilitation
25,000 square foot building rehabilitation including 5,000 SF north wing, 5,000 SF south wing, 15,000 SF main section. Scope includes structural/foundation work ($7M), MEP systems ($7.5M), solar panels, natural gas connection, underground oil tank removal. Design funded by airport operating funds, nearly complete.
Airport Snow Removal Equipment Storage Building
New snow storage building with solar panels, currently under construction
Airport Runway Construction
Runway construction project with groundbreaking expected in approximately one month
Airport Natural Gas Pipeline Extension
Natural gas line extension to connect Building 1 and other airport facilities in the north section that currently lack natural gas service
Airport Terminal Modernization
Terminal modernization project previously briefed to board by Director Gasparian and Deputy County Executive John McDonald
Market Signals (4)
Commercial Demand
Increased tax certiorari activity in Yonkers, White Plains, and Greenberg is driven by decreased market values for commercial properties that have gone vacant, indicating commercial real estate distress in these municipalities.
Infrastructure
Westchester County Airport is undertaking significant capital improvements including $25M building rehabilitation, runway construction, terminal modernization, and natural gas infrastructure expansion, all funded by airport special revenue fund.
Housing Demand
County population increased approximately 7% over two decades while residential waste decreased 27%, suggesting densification or efficiency improvements in housing stock.
Sentiment
Credit rating agencies view bonding for tax certioraris unfavorably as it indicates inability to cover recurring operating expenses from regular revenues, suggesting fiscal pressure on county finances.