The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Board has approved Jonathan Rose Companies as the developer for a new residential project at the Beacon Metro-North Station. The plan involves transforming an existing parking lot into a mixed-income housing development with 265 units. This initiative is part of Governor Kathy Hochul’s ongoing effort to use underutilized state-owned land for housing, aiming to improve affordability and connectivity in New York.
Governor Hochul stated, “The key to making our state a more affordable place to live is simple: build more housing, especially right next door to frequent and reliable transit service. By creating new housing next to the Beacon Metro-North station, we are breathing new life into an underutilized site and giving more New Yorkers the opportunity to live in a vibrant community with an express train to New York City just next door. This project is a model for how thoughtful development can strengthen communities and make our state more affordable and livable.”
The project will be supported by funding from the Redevelopment of Underutilized Sites for Housing (RUSH) program, which was created through Executive Order 30. This order directs agencies such as the MTA to identify properties suitable for residential development. The redevelopment includes constructing a structured parking garage that will replace current commuter parking while providing new homes adjacent to transit.
MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber commented, “Transit-oriented development is a double win for the region – creating lively, walkable communities while responding to Governor Hochul’s commitment to new housing. We can’t wait to get started on the Beacon project.”
Jamie Torres-Springer, President of MTA Construction & Development, added, “We’re proud to turn MTA assets into exciting, dynamic growth for the entire region, and I’m excited that this project will connect 265 new units of housing with all the great service the MTA has to offer.”
Miriam Harris, Senior Vice President of Transit-Oriented Development at MTA C&D said, “This project will create vital new housing options for the iconic riverside city of Beacon – all while increasing ridership and advancing our regional planning goals. It’s a win for New Yorkers everywhere, and we’re excited to see it move forward.”
Hope Knight, President, CEO and Commissioner of Empire State Development remarked, “Expanding economic opportunity for New Yorkers starts with quality housing—and the Beacon Metro-North Station project shows how Governor Hochul is delivering. Under her leadership, New York is transforming underutilized state-owned sites and leveraging innovative NY-RUSH funding to create much-needed transit-oriented housing that strengthens local economies and fosters sustainable, connected growth in communities like Beacon and across the state.”
New York State Homes and Community Renewal Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas noted that “Under Governor Hochul’s leadership, New York is turning bold ideas into real housing solutions. Thanks to the RUSH program, we’re creating 265 new homes right next to transit—a win for affordability, sustainability, and smart land use. This development turns pavement into progress, showing how strategic investment can reshape communities for the better and help more New Yorkers live where they thrive.”
Beacon Mayor Lee Kyriacou expressed support: “MTA’s proposed Transit-Oriented Development project in the City of Beacon will provide increased and affordable housing opportunities to current and future residents. It will replace ugly impermeable blacktop with environmentally sustainable living — which helps Beacon both to support our Main Street, and also to do our part to help address the housing shortage in our region. We look forward to working with MTA to ensure that the project fits with the City’s planning priorities and aesthetic character.”
Jonathan F.P. Rose of Jonathan Rose Companies said: “We are so pleased to have been selected by the MTA to redevelop the Beacon Train Station’s North Lot. This project represents a key goal of the firm- to develop green, transit-oriented mixed-income and mixed-use projects that expand housing options and economic development for their host communities. And what an amazingly vital, creative community Beacon is.”
Dutchess County Executive Sue Serino highlighted benefits: “This transit-oriented development project will transform a state-owned parking lot into its highest and best use while maintaining parking for commuters with an integrated parking structure and increasing much needed housing supply and affordable options for our residents.”
The MTA works closely with local governments on these projects in order to maximize use of existing assets while encouraging public transportation usage among residents.
Governor Hochul’s recent budgets have included significant funding measures intended both for increasing overall supply—such as $500 million in capital funding targeting up to 15,000 units on state sites—and policies designed around tenant protections alongside homebuyer affordability programs. These initiatives build upon her five-year $25 billion Housing Plan aiming at creating or preserving 100,000 affordable homes statewide; over 60,000 homes have already been completed or preserved.
More than 300 communities have received Pro-Housing certification under another related program from recent budgets; this status gives municipalities exclusive access up to $750 million in discretionary state funds aimed at promoting further residential construction on government property.
Jonathan Rose Companies manages nearly 20,000 apartment homes nationwide across multiple states including New York.
