Howard Chambers of CBL LLC is one of three developers hoping to win city approval to redevelop the aging Waxter Senior Center, located at 1000 Cathedral St. in Mount Vernon.
“This is an incredible opportunity for the entire Mount Vernon community,” said John Stewart, executive director of the city?s Commission on Aging and Retirement Education.
Stewart said that while he had looked at Chambers? proposal, he had not reviewed submissions from RWN Development and Millennium Partners.
“Chambers approached us first; it was an unsolicited proposal that he made months ago,” Stewart said. “Right now all the proposals are under review. There are a lot of stakeholders, our seniors, community associations, our tenant University Care and others. ”
Chambers said he has already met with and secured the support of many community organizations.
“People here [in Mount Vernon] want to see the center redeveloped to fit in with the historic nature of the community,” Chambers said.
If the city accepts his deal, he would contribute $6 million to the construction of a new Waxter Center and the city would add $2 million in previously raised funds. Once the center is complete, 600 efficiency units would be built on the existing Waxter Center site, along with 350 parking spots and first-floor retail space. Chambers estimates his proposal would save the city about $13 million, with renovation costs estimated to exceed $15 million.
The final decision on who redevelops the Waxter rests with the mayor, the Board of Estimates and, the City Council.
