Yonkers council approves conveyance of former Public School 12 to Dar Holdings after debate

Yonkers City Council voted Sept. 30 to authorize the conveyance of the city-owned former Public School 12 at 164 Ashburton Avenue to Dar Holdings 164 LLC for residential redevelopment after debate over the sale price and developer vetting.

Philip Armstrong, a Yonkers resident who said he lives at 50 Landscape Avenue, told the council the property's 2025 assessed value is $4,348,800 and that the administration proposes selling the site for $500,000 to Dar Holdings 164 LLC, an entity the transcript records as formed on 07/29/2025. "We're selling the property for $500,000," Armstrong said, calling the deal "far under what it is valued at" and urging the council to reexamine sales of city property amid what he described as an affordability crisis for long-time residents.

Council discussion focused on whether the building can be rehabilitated, whether demolition is likely, and the identity and track record of the buyer. Majority Leader Rubo defended the proposal as a way to return a condemned, underused property to productive community use and described the project as planned affordable housing. "If the property can be rehabilitated, then the developer will do so. And if they deem that it cannot be, then it'll be torn down," Rubo said, noting that state or federal funding often imposes conditions on redevelopment.

Councilman Moranti said he would not support the conveyance in its current form and asked for more vetting of developer Frank Darwicki and his practice of forming new entities for projects. Moranti requested a study or evaluation of the property before final approval. "I will not be supporting this," he said.

Minority Leader Breen argued the property has become an "eyesore" and a public-safety hazard and supported moving the parcel to a developer who can remedy the situation. Following the discussion, the council voted on the local law authorizing conveyance. Councilman Moranti voted no; all other named members voted yes. The local law was adopted 6 to 1.

The record shows the council previously took a SEQRA step related to the sale (a determination of significance) earlier in the meeting; the transcript indicates that resolution was adopted before the conveyance vote. The sale proposal and the developer were discussed in committee on Sept. 23, according to the council president's remarks.

What happens next: Dar Holdings will pursue permitting and agency approvals; if the developer determines rehabilitation is infeasible, demolition would occur and the project would proceed as determined by the city agencies and applicable funding conditions.