DRI Awards $2 Million for Sustainable Port Jervis Apartment Building Project

Heat pumps, vertical and rooftop gardening and use of sunlight and moonlight are part of the plan.

A proposal for a sustainable building with 24 one-, two- and three- bedroom apartments to be built on a Jersey Ave. Dollar General parking lot was recently allotted $2,000,000 from the $10 million New York State Downtown Revitalization Initiative grant awarded to Port Jervis. Now project co-owners Brett Gartner and his wife Tatyana, an interior and architectural designer, have expanded their plans to include 36 apartments with new energy-saving, design and aesthetic features, Brett said. Heat pumps, solar energy, vertical and rooftop gardens, along with sunlight and moonlight tunnels were already part of the plan.

In an email exchange with the Tri-State Lookout, Brett Gartner explained new plans for the project.

TSL: How have plans for the apartment building changed since we talked a few months ago before projects were chosen for the DRI?

BG: Since we last talked we have been working hard to improve the plans. The building has increased in size to 36 apartments, with additional retail in front. Parking has been reworked to provide parking for each apartment. In addition, the building now has a better layout, improved environmental efficiency and is more aesthetically pleasing to complement and enhance the streetscape along Jersey Ave. We plan to continue to refine over the next several months.

TSL: Could you elaborate on these changes?

BG: I can't give too many details at this point, as the design is not finalized, but here are some of the improvements we are working on:

• The building will have 36 affordable housing units ranging from 1-3 bedrooms.

• Parking will be on the ground floor underneath the residential portion of the building. There will be at least one parking place per residential unit.

• The retail portion of the building will be closer to the street, giving better access and visibility.

• The exterior design will be unique but also contextual with Jersey Ave. 

• We expect to provide tenants with storage, laundry facilities, common outdoor areas, bike parking and EV charging stations.

• The building will be free of fossil fuels and will focus on healthy living and sustainability.

TSL: When will construction begin?

BG: We are planning to break ground in summer/fall of 2025.

TSL: Do you have companies and workers in mind, or will bids begin newly? 

BG: We have been discussing the project with several vendors for some time, but nothing is formalized at this point. 

TSL: When will the building be ready to occupy? 

BG: We anticipate the building will be ready for occupancy by the end of 2026.

For more information about this project, see earlier story: Sun, Moon, Maybe Wind Technology for Possible Port Jervis Apartments.

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