Council approves rezone for Mill Iron Foundation veterans and seniors housing project

Council held a public hearing and then voted to approve Bill 26‑149, the rezoning of three parcels around 665 Lexington Avenue to allow a planned veterans and seniors independent‑living project led by the Mill Iron Foundation. Carl Miller (the foundation representative) described a 120,000‑square‑foot adaptive reuse that would yield 61 units, on‑site services (a small clinic, barber/hair salon), a gym and event space capable of hosting up to 500 people. Miller said the foundation is pursuing historic‑preservation tax credits and intends to partner with the Area Agency on Aging to manage services; after roughly a ten‑year payoff period the foundation intends to deed the property to the agency.

Miller told the council the project’s total cost would be “somewhere in between $26 and $30,000,000.” Council members pressed staff about zoning classification, ADA units, unit mixes (primarily one‑bedroom with some two‑bedroom and convertible study space), and how screening and vouchers would be handled by the Area Agency on Aging. The council voted to waive further readings and then passed Bill 26‑149 by an 8‑0 vote.