FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Dec. 5, 2017

Contact: Jane Lerner, Director of Strategic Communications
Office of the County Executive (845) 638-5645
lernerj@co.rockland.ny.us

Rockland County Executive Ed Day Closes the Sain Building

NEW CITY, NY – Rockland County Executive Ed Day today padlocked the Sain Building as it was permanently closed following the relocation of all County offices to new quarters in Pomona.

"Today we happily mark the end of an era in Rockland County government," he said as he stood on the steps of the New Hempstead Road building. "The Sain Building is now officially closed. It is now a six-story paperweight."

The last County office in the Sain Building, the Department of Finance, moved over the weekend.

Those employees joined the Department of Personnel, Consumer Protection, Economic Growth and Tourism and the Youth Bureau in spacious and newly renovated offices in Building A at the Dr. Robert Yeager Health Center complex in Pomona.

The County Executive again urged the Rockland County Legislature to declare the six-story building – now empty – surplus and sell it.

"The Sain Building outlived its usefulness to the County long ago," he said. "It is now time to move into the future."

The County Executive is making good on a promise to reinvent local government by making it more efficient  and boosting services. Building A at the Health Center is becoming a health and human services hub

A developer has offered to buy the County-owned Sain Building for $4.51 million – $510,000 over the assessed value.

The developer wants to knock down the deteriorating building and build a two-story assisted living complex for seniors on the property.

The Town of Clarkstown has endorsed the plan, which will return the property to the tax rolls.

The developer has also offered to create a small pocket park in the front of the property bordering New Hempstead Road for the public to enjoy at no charge.

The County Executive would like to take some of the proceeds from the sale of the Sain Building and put it toward settlements of expired union contracts.

"We have an opportunity to give our dedicated employees a raise," Day said. "Let's take that opportunity."

He noted that the Legislature took the first step toward remaking the footprint of County government when it sold the Bank of New York building in 2012.

Day asked the Legislature again to declare the property surplus and authorize the sale of the empty Sain Building.

"Let's get rid of an eyesore in the center of New City and add a ratable to the tax roll," he said. "It's time to embrace the future."