Ossining Children’s Center Announces Plans for New Building
The Ossining Children’s Center (OCC) has unveiled plans for the construction of a new 27,000-square-foot building that would enable it to consolidate programs under one roof. The new structure would help secure the 123-year-old, community-based organization’s financial future while meeting the growing demand for childcare programs, preschool, educational enrichment and services to families, according to a press release.
Located in the downtown, at 32 State Street, the planned building would replace operations currently housed at two 120-year-old buildings OCC owns on South Highland Avenue, as well as space it rents at a nearby church. The organization plans to sell the two properties on South Highland Avenue to help fund the $16.8 million project.
The new 2.5-acre site, bounded by commercial properties, was acquired for $1.8 million and donated to OCC by a long-time benefactor. An existing building on the site has been removed. The new building would house all of OCC’s current programs while aiming to meet the growing need for infant, toddler, preschool and after-school care in Ossining. The projected enrollment for the new facility is 200 to 222 children. OCC’s current enrollment is 148.
“With a larger, fully equipped and centrally located building, we can attract and accommodate a broad range of families from the wider community,” OCC Executive Director Howard Milbert stated in the release. “This will not only improve our financial outlook but also strengthen our capabilities and diversity.”
The three-story building would include nine classrooms, five toddler and infant rooms, four outdoor play areas, staff and administrative offices, a multi-purpose room, conference room and kitchen. There would be 22 on-site parking spaces for parents, staff and visitors.
An initial presentation of the plan was made to the Ossining Village Planning Board on Aug. 28, and a public hearing is expected to be scheduled. No special zoning or variances are required.
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