FHA considers a new Moxey Rigby

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A new Moxey Rigby may be on the horizon. The Freeport Housing Authority has issued a Request for Qualifications seeking a joint venture with a real estate firm to develop and construct 100 units of public housing. This project is for families and will replace Moxey Rigby located on Buffalo Avenue and Merrick Road in Freeport.


“There have been flooding issues at Moxey Rigby for years,” John Hrvatin executive director of the Freeport Housing Authority said. “FEMA gave us $6 million to mitigate and make repairs after Sandy but it’s an old building – a three-story walk-up. I took the initiative to contact New York State to see if they would be willing to help us with a new building. And they are willing to help fund it.”


Where will the development take place? “We don’t know yet, but HUD will require that it be in a central location, near schools, transportation and shopping,” he said. “It will not be in a contaminated location; it will not be in the Industrial Park.”


To date, there have been two meetings with residents at Moxey Rigby to let residents know about the project. There will be no evictions and “everyone with a legitimate lease is entitled to a new apartment,” Hrvatin said. “And rent stays the same.”


The RFQ was due on Sept. 18. Hrvatin said he had “numerous applications to review” before tonight’s FHA public meeting. “This will be my first dialogue with the Board of Commissioners,” he explained.


The Freeport Housing Authority owns Moxey Rigby and the land. FHA would work with the developer. Hrvatin said the venture partner would have to be someone with experience developing low-income projects, “someone who has worked with HUD, FEMA and New York State,” he said. “I don’t know if I will be making any recommendations at this point.” Ultimately the decision rests with the Freeport Housing Authority’s Board of Commissioners.


If the Board of Commissioners decides to move forward, along with HUD’s support, this will “be the largest low-income housing project to take place in Nassau County,” Hrvatin said. “It will cost about $40 million.”


Hrvatin said the project is still in its infancy. However, “the old building is obsolete. We’re looking forward to a new building – state of the art, energy efficient, with a rec room, laundry facilities and ample parking. It will be for families.”