May 26, 2016 - County Executive Robert P. Astorino announced today that Westchester’s Local Development Corporation (LDC) has approved financial incentives to support the construction and renovation of new facilities at the Upper Campus of Rippowam Cisqua School in Bedford.
The $19 million project will create approximately 150-200 construction jobs and retain approximately 195 full-time and part-time jobs. The LDC is providing low-cost bond financing of $26.5 million, which includes the project cost and $6 million in mortgage refinancing. Construction of the 22,000-square-foot project is expected to begin in June and take approximately 15 months to complete.
“The incentives provided through the LDC will help Rippowam Cisqua School continue its nearly century-old tradition of providing an outstanding education for children from pre-K to ninth grade,” said Astorino. “This project will also create hundreds of construction and permanent jobs, which are important for the continued vitality of our county’s economy,” he added.
William M. Mooney III, Esq., Director of the Westchester County Office of Economic Development said they are very pleased that the Local Development Corporation can assist a fine educational institution such as the Rippowam Cisqua School. “The LDC is here to assist not-for-profits, both large and small, in helping them grow while creating jobs for our local economy,” he said.
The plan for the Upper Campus in Bedford includes a new library and media center; a new innovation center; new arts classrooms and science labs; a new dining hall; and an outdoor amphitheater.“Rippowam Cisqua School has a long history of excellence and innovation,” said Head of School Colm MacMahon. “The new Upper Campus will bring tremendous teaching and learning spaces to the community. We are excited about this project because we know how important middle school is to education, and having an environment that is specifically designed and sized for middle school aged students.” MacMahon said that Rippowam Cisqua School is proud to partner with County Executive Astorino and the LDC on this transformational project. Founded in 1917, Rippowam Cisqua School is a co-educational, independent country day school for students in pre-Kindergarten through ninth grade, located on two campuses in Bedford and Mount Kisco.
Pictured above from left: Rippowam Cisqua attorney John Marwell of Shamberg Marwell Hollis Andreycak & Laidlaw; LDC Chairman Stephen Hunt; Deborah A. Hurrell, Assistant Head of School for Finance and Operations; Colm MacMahon, Head of School; County Executive Robert P. Astorino; LDC Board Member Mark Stanton; LDC Board Member Nicholas Long; LDC Board Member Ilyse Spertus; LDC Board Member Jerry McGrath; Deputy County Executive Kevin Plunkett, and William M. Mooney III, Esq., Director of the County Office of Economic Development.