By Bill Lawyer

Even though winter came in like a bomb cyclone blizzard, the sub-zero conditions didn’t stop contractor Lou Larizza from moving his latest Rye project forward.

Five winters ago, Larizza and members of the Westchester County Planning Department presented a proposal to the Rye City Council to build an affordable housing complex on the corner of North Street and Theodore Fremd Avenue.

The 2.07-acre property required a re-zoning, traffic studies, and settling of the question of the number of units that could be built. Over the course of the following year, the concerns were addressed, with considerable input from nearby residents and environmental consultants.

The adopted plan resulted in 40 rental units, plus a unit for the building’s superintendent, all of which qualify as affordable housing. Preference is given to seniors, 62 and older, who earn at or below 50 and up to 60 percent of the area median income in the County — $39,792-$47,751.

The four-story facility, named the Vienna Senior Apartments, is served by two elevators. Twenty-eight units are one-bedroom (800 square feet), and 12 two-bedroom (930 square feet). Monthly rents range from $995 to $1,204 for a one-bedroom to $1,198 to $1,449 for a two-bedroom unit.

The kitchens come fully equipped. Common laundry facilities are located on each floor. A community room and patio are on the third floor. There are 64 on-site parking spaces.

A public lottery was held in September, but applications are still being accepted and will be placed on a waiting list. Applications are available in English and Spanish.

For more details about the apartments and eligibility requirements, visit the county’s affordable housing website, www.housingactioncouncil.org.