Yonkers moves a $680,000 budget transfer to secure deposit on former Lincoln Park Jewish Center for proposed library

Yonkers — The Budget & Finance Committee on Sept. 16 moved to the full City Council a special ordinance and budget transfer to provide a 10% deposit to secure the purchase of 347 Central Park Avenue, the building described by staff as the Lincoln Park Jewish Center, for conversion to a library.

Commissioner John Lazewski said the city has included a $10 million appropriation in the capital budget for the project: $6.8 million for acquisition and the remainder for renovation and restoration. He said the city needs to transfer $680,000 — 10% of the $6.8 million purchase price — for the down payment so the purchase can proceed on a timely schedule.

Lazewski said the administration intends to return to the council in one or two meetings to request authorization to issue a bond for the full $10 million. He described a community benefits agreement with MGM that, if MGM secures its license, would provide $10 million to the city to pay off the planned bond: “Once they get their license, they will give to the city the $10,000,000 which we would use to pay off the bond,” he said.

Minority Leader Michael B. Breen asked whether the $680,000 was a deposit. Lazewski replied, “That's a deposit on the property,” confirming it is a standard down-payment. Council members asked whether the city would proceed with purchase if the MGM funding did not materialize; Lazewski said the city would still buy the property and, if MGM did not provide the $10 million, the city would roll the cost into a bond.

Committee members raised no objections to placing the related budget amendment on the council agenda, and the committee moved the item to that evening’s council meeting. No final purchase or financing action occurred in committee; those approvals remain pending before the full council.

Clarifying details from the meeting: the acquisition target was identified as 347 Central Park Avenue (Lincoln Park Jewish Center); the acquisition price discussed for the property was $6,800,000, with a required 10% down payment of $680,000 to be transferred now; the total capital appropriation is $10,000,000 to cover purchase and renovations; MGM’s $10,000,000 payment is contingent on MGM securing a license and is part of a community benefits agreement described by staff.

Sources: Commissioner John Lazewski and questions from Minority Leader Michael B. Breen at the Sept. 16, 2025 Budget & Finance Committee meeting.