Infrastructure & Housing - 2026-02-25
Meeting Intelligence Preview
Meeting Summary
The Infrastructure & Housing Committee meeting on 2026-02-25 primarily addressed non-real estate matters including police firing range rehabilitation ($3.5M bond for target systems, PA, and HVAC soundproofing) and an IMA renewal with Town of Carmel for firing range use. The committee also approved $3.5M in design funding for the Coachmen Family Center shelter renovation in White Plains, part of a $31M total project for interior renovations, HVAC, and electrical upgrades to the 67,000 sq ft facility at 1.3 Goose Post Road. Additionally, lease amendments were approved for Cedarwood Hall at Westchester County Healthcare Corporation involving WIHD's sublease at $32.32/sq ft for 72,796 sq ft.
Key Decisions (6)
Firing Range Rehabilitation Bond Act
Bond act 2026-78 approved for rehabilitation of the police firing range adjacent to Westlake County Police Academy, including target system replacement, PA system updates, and HVAC soundproofing to reduce noise leakage to administrative areas. 18-lane facility operates 5 days/week, 16 hours/day.
IMA Renewal with Town of Carmel for Firing Range
Item 2026-39 approved renewing the inter-municipal agreement with Town of Carmel (Putnam County) for use of the county firing range. Agreement provides range access in exchange for instructor hours or cash payment at $300/hour rate.
Coachmen Family Center Design Funding
Item 2026-10 approved $3.5M bond for design phase of Coachmen Family Center renovation at 1.3 Goose Post Road, White Plains. Total project cost is $31M for the 67,000 sq ft, 7-floor facility serving up to 200 families. Design phase is 15 months with 30-month construction to follow.
Cedarwood Hall Sublease Amendments
Items 2026-15 and 2026-16 approved extending sublease arrangements for Cedarwood Hall at Westchester County Healthcare Corporation through 12/31/2026. County pays medical center $966,455 annually; WIHD pays county $2,352,000 at $32.32/sq ft for 72,796 sq ft plus $4,560 for medical waste removal.
Kensico Dam Plaza Maintenance Building Capital Amendment
Items 2026-74, 75, 76 approved $2.5M capital budget increase bringing total project to $10.35M for new 5,000 sq ft maintenance building at Kensico Dam Plaza. Building will be all-electric with heat pumps and solar panels.
Fuel Tank Replacement Program Funding
Item 2026-77 approved $800,000 for 2026 fuel tank replacement program covering 6 tanks at Glen Island maintenance garage, Maple Moore maintenance garage, and Tibbetts Brook (bathhouse, well tank, maintenance garage).
Development Activity (3)
Coachmen Family Center Renovation
67,000 sq ft, 7-floor family shelter renovation including interior living spaces, program areas, bathrooms, HVAC system, and electrical upgrades. Serves up to 200 families (300+ individuals). Building purchased 1993, no significant renovation since. Design phase 15 months, construction 30 months.
Kensico Dam Plaza Maintenance Building
New 5,000 sq ft maintenance building replacing open-air Connex trailer operations. All-electric building with heat pumps, solar panels, EV charging stations. Total project $10.35M. Creates 23,810 sq ft impervious surface, removes 24 trees.
Cedarwood Hall Sublease Extension
72,796 sq ft facility sublease extension through 12/31/2026. WIHD planning relocation to private landlord space (Vanderpoolis area mentioned). Current rent $32.32/sq ft.
Market Signals (4)
Housing Demand
Westchester County family shelters operating at 90%+ occupancy since COVID, with Coachmen Family Center at 99 families (90%+ capacity) and longer shelter stays now extending to a year or more due to housing affordability challenges.
Infrastructure
County implementing EV charging stations across all park parking lots and converting facilities to all-electric operations with heat pumps and solar panels as standard policy for new construction.
Commercial Demand
WIHD seeking to relocate from county-owned Cedarwood Hall to private landlord space, with medical center wanting to reclaim the 72,796 sq ft facility for alternative uses.
Other
Construction cost escalation driven by market volatility, commodity prices (steel, cement, concrete), and tariff uncertainty causing contractors to refuse holding bid prices, requiring 30%+ budget increases on capital projects.