FOR IMMEDATE RELEASE
October 9, 2018
Contact: John Lyon 845-638-5645

New City, NY – County Executive Ed Day stood on the steps of the now closed Sain Building in New City to discuss the news that National Development, the developer who offered to purchase the building for $4.5 million, can no longer move forward with their original offer.

Michael Glynn, Vice President of National Development sent a letter to the County Executive and the County Legislature earlier this afternoon. That letter stated, "six months ago I sent you a letter to express our continued interest in developing the Sain property for a senior residence to serve the needs of Rockland's elders. In that letter I had mentioned that our original offer was still on the table, but that time was running out because of changing market and financial conditions. These conditions have indeed changed our ability to move forward with our original offer. That straightforward offer from March 2016 no longer works."

The Massachusetts-based firm, National Development, had previously said it wanted to buy the county-owned building on New Hempstead Road in New City and create senior housing.

County Executive Day laid the fault for this at the feet of some in the Rockland County Legislature. "Over the last 3 years, some Legislators, despite approving the sale of this building in affirming the 2016 budget and then trying to include it in 2017 budget, have engaged in nothing but gamesmanship and obstructionism to the direct detriment of the people of the county and particularly the people of Clarkstown."

Legislator Lon Hofstein, whose district contains the Sain Building said, "my constituents continuously say to me, the young people looking to purchase a home can afford to pay for the house, but it is the school and property taxes that are prohibitive. Those who presently reside in Rockland say to me; I don't want to leave, but the taxes we pay are making it difficult to stay. The proposed sale of the Sain Building for a price in excess of $4.5 million, along with $500,000 in annual tax revenues was voted down."

Legislator Patrick Moroney said, "it is a total disgrace. The county is losing $4.5 million in the sale and the County, Town and School District are losing close to half a million dollars a year in real property taxes."

Legislator Charles Falciglia said, "the Democratic majority in the Legislature continues their path of showing complete contempt and disdain for the public. They're more interested in pursuing a paid leave of absence for someone than even proposing an alternative, notwithstanding that this is a very good all-around deal."

County Executive Day credited eight Legislators who have attempted to force progress on the sale of the Sain Building in the past: Legislator Lon Hofstein, Legislator Chris Carey, Legislator Laurie Santulli, Legislator Patrick Moroney, Legislator Vince Tyer, Legislator Doug Jobson, Legislator Charles Falciglia and Legislator Jay Hood.

"The inaction and outright obstruction of some in the Rockland County Legislature have killed this deal. The developer has made it extremely clear in his letter to myself and the County Legislature. The only way to make a revised proposal work now is for the Legislature to finally act in good faith," said County Executive Day. "Declare the property surplus immediately."

The proceeds of the sale of the Sain Building will be put towards contract settlements to give Rockland's hard-working employees the raises they deserve and towards rebuilding the General Fund Balance. Rockland has a long way to go before reaching full fiscal health.

Timeline of events:

• March of 2016, National Development responded to an advertisement for the sale, offering to pay $4.51 million – $510,000 above the appraised value for the Sain Building.
• September of 2017, National Development submitted a bid to the County Legislature with the same offer, $4.51 million.
• December of 2017, the Sain Building was officially closed as the County offices that had been located in the building were moved to the Dr. Robert Yeager Health Center complex in Pomona.

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