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Lincoln Correctional to be transformed into mixed-use complex with 105 affordable condominium homes and community-centric spaces on W. 110th St.
ALBANY—New York Gov. Kathy Hochul unveiled Seneca, the selected proposal to redevelop the former Lincoln Correctional Facility in Manhattan on Dec. 5. The proposed condominium project would invest more than $90 million in Harlem, bringing 105 affordable homeownership units, community spaces, and jobs with ambitious MWBE contracting and local hiring goals.
A 65% Minority-Owned Business Enterprise partnership led by Infinite Horizons, L+M Development Partners, Urbane, and Lemor Development Group has been conditionally designated to transform the 10,000-square-foot property to deliver affordable homeownership and community-centric spaces.
“This announcement brings us one step closer to transforming the former Lincoln Correctional Facility in New York City into a vibrant, mixed-use development with more than 100 affordable new homes,” Gov. Hochul said. “As part of my commitment to increasing New York’s housing supply, my administration is continuing to follow the recommendations of the Prison Redevelopment Commission and reimagine what’s possible at underutilized jails and prisons. Soon, this project will unlock tools to help us address the housing crisis, create jobs, and improve New Yorkers’ quality of life, and I look forward to working with the development team to bring it to fruition.”
Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said, “By transforming the former Lincoln Correctional Facility into 105 units of affordable housing, we are not only creating new pathways to homeownership, but we are also planting the seeds for generations of residents to put down roots and build wealth in the community they call home. Seneca represents the power of reimagination to sow spaces where equitable growth can blossom for a brighter future in Harlem.”
Located on West 110th Street, the site sits directly across from Central Park and is close to transit, retail, schools, and premier cultural institutions. At the core of this transformative project are 105 affordable homeownership units, all of which would be affordable to households earning 80% and 100% of area median income (AMI) and require only a 5% down payment to purchase, offering an invaluable opportunity to build wealth through property ownership. Creating affordable homeownership opportunities in Harlem would advance social mobility and equity in the community and have a powerful transformational impact on each family at Seneca for generations to come.
The proposed project will be sponsored by Empire State Development under a General Project Plan, will undergo environmental review under the State Environmental Quality Review Act, and will be presented for public review and comment prior to its final consideration and approval.
L+M Development Partners Chief Executive Officer Lisa Gomez said, “Our collaborative plan for Seneca centers around creating affordable homeownership opportunities and transforms the former Lincoln Correctional Facility site into a hub of creativity and economic empowerment in Harlem. We are excited to continue our work in this wonderful community, and we are grateful to Governor Hochul, Infinite Horizons, Urbane, and Lemor Development Group for their partnership on this innovative project.”
Lemor Development Group Co-Managing Member Kenneth M. Morrison said, “Lemor Development Group is incredibly proud to participate in this collaboration to provide affordable homeownership opportunities on Central Park North. This area of Harlem is where my parents grew up, and as a second generation real estate developer, I am pleased to continue my father's vision of solution-based development by providing quality housing in the Harlem community.”
Beyond housing, Seneca would also serve as a vibrant hub of artistic, cultural, and educational initiatives to enrich and engage the Harlem community. Through collaborations with community partners, the ground floor will be activated with a mix of programming. This includes opportunities for youth to develop artistic skills, flexible spaces for diverse exhibitions focused on educational initiatives centered around social justice and equity, and a dedicated library and reading area.
Lincoln Correctional Facility closed in 2019 as part of the state’s initiative to redevelop underutilized correctional institutions. In December 2022, Gov. Hochul released the New York Prison Redevelopment Commission recommendations that detail analyses of 12 closed prisons and consider redevelopment opportunities for each site to help them better serve the state's economic needs.
Gov. Hochul had previously announced a package of executive actions earlier this year to promote housing growth as part of an ongoing commitment to increasing the housing supply and addressing New York's housing crisis. As part of that package, the governor directed state agencies to review lands in their ownership and control and determine whether those sites can be used for housing. In addition to today's announcement, Gov. Hochul has announced requests for proposals to redevelop the former Bayview Correctional Facility and Javits Center's Site K in Manhattan and the former Downstate Correctional Facility in Fishkill.
Gov. Hochul has also worked closely with the Queens Borough President to explore potential new uses, including housing options, at the former Creedmoor Psychiatric Center in Eastern Queens.
Data shows that from 1996-2021, the Hudson Valley region lost a net total of 146,763 people to out migration, which calculates out to 5% of the Hudson Valley’s population.
“2023 was a difficult year for Realtors due to high mortgage rates and low housing inventory, which significantly impacted home sales volume,”
The program offered the latest home sales data and trends for Rockland County, updates on the NAR Commission settlement, and perspectives on topical business and political issues.
Only Westchester saw a slight increase in closed sales for single-family homes, with a 4.6% gain.
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