Seek State Aid For Roof Repairs
In an effort to cover the costs of unexpected roof and façade damage at Catholic Charities Senior Housing Development in Howard Beach, State Sen. Joseph P. Addabbo and Assemblyman Phil Goldfeder sent a letter to Gov. Andrew Cuomo requesting funding from the Port Authority’s Regional Funds Account to ensure the safety of the development and guarantee the building’s longevity to provide seniors affordable and quality housing for years to come.
“The Catholic Charities senior housing development is the first of its kind and sorely needed for the growing senior population in Howard Beach,” Goldfeder said. “Thanks to Msgr. [Alfred] LoPinto and the great team at Catholic Charities the budget for this project has been stretched thin but unexpected damage to the facade needs to be corrected immediately in order to ensure quality senior housing.”
“The funding that Assemblyman Goldfeder and I are seeking would truly assist the Senior Housing Development in Howard Beach by dealing with the unforeseen additional costs of construction. I have appreciated the vision of Monsignor LoPinto and Catholic Charities in addressing the need for senior housing in the area and its been a pleasure to have worked with them,” Addabbo added.
The Howard Beach Senior Housing Development consists of a midrise (four-story) building that was initially constructed as a hospital in the 1960s, and since then has added a one-story addition constructed in the 1980s. Currently, the buildings facade, including the rooftop parapet, is susceptible to water penetration.
As part of the original scope of work, limited repairs to the rooftop were expected, but due to the present condition of the buildings exterior the costs to renovate the façade are exorbitantly higher than originally anticipated.
“There was a lot of façade work that was done improperly in the original construction and they didn’t use the proper ties to place the brick structure,” said LoPinto, vicar of Catholic Charites in Queens and Brooklyn. “This is such an important project and at this point we’re just hoping to ensure that the building we developed will be secure and water tight, so we do not run into problems in the future that will be much more costly.”
During former Gov. David Paterson’s term, local elected officials sent a letter to the governor requesting funding from the Port Authority’s Regional Funds Account in the amount of $500,000 for soundproofing against the planes coming from and arriving to JFK.
While no decision was reached due to the expiration of Paterson’s term, the money is still available, Goldfeder and Addabbo noted.
“The monies exist and I am hopeful that Governor Cuomo can find a way to utilize it for the senior housing project,” said Addabbo.
“If approved, this funding will go a long way in improving the living conditions of many seniors in Howard Beach,” said Goldfeder. “This problem is not something that will go away, it needs to be addressed and I will continue to work with my colleagues to ensure that there is a solution.”
