Albert J. Pirro, Jr. is a Partner at Abrams Fensterman, LLP and a member of the Land Use and Zoning practice group working out of the firm’s White Plains office.
Mr. Pirro is a result driven, commercial, transactional land use and zoning attorney with forty-five years in private practice representing businesses and real property organizations. Mr. Pirro has represented clients throughout the Hudson Valley where his considerable land use experience has resulted in large scale projects such as The Westchester in White Plains, NY, the Centre at Purchase in Purchase, NY, The Summit in Mount Pleasant, NY and a myriad of residential and specialty land use approvals.
Mr. Pirro specializes in real estate development, including acquisition, organization and development, zoning and land use planning, zone approvals, and litigation in regards thereto. Mr. Pirro has experience in construction and permanent financing, leasing, and project development agreements. His work included Brownfield applications, eligibility and Brownfield agreements. Ths specialty in land use and zoning is accompanied by representation of clients in real estate, commercial, and business transactions. As many transactions require judicial intervention, Mr. Pirro’s expertise includes commercial, land use and corporate litigation, arbitration and mediation.
From 1994 through 2004, Mr. Pirro served as Managing Member of Pirro-Buley & Associates, LLC, a registered lobbyist in the State of New York, and from 2016 to 2020 as a registered federal lobbyist, which representation has included business and lobbying services for the various entities listed below. Mr. Pirro has served as a registered lobbyist in both New York State and Washington, DC where, among other clients, he served the Greater New York Hospital Association and its 300 affiliated hospitals.
Mr. Pirro is also a seasoned in all phases of environmental, commercial, constuctin and real estate development litigation. Mr. Pirro handled over sixty (60) consutruction related litigation cases just in 2010 alone, for George A. Fuller Company, Inc. Mr. Pirro has provided defense litigation services for Exxon Company, USA, Mobil Oil Corporation and Home Depot, USA. In connection with construction litigation, he has been authorized by sureties to protect their interest under performance and payment bond in both the private and public sector.
During his representation of Exxon Company, USA, Mr. Pirro handled actions under the Petroleum Marketing Practices Act. His experience in the petroleum industry has included matters with the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation regarding compliance at service stations and bulk petroleum storage facilities.
In addition, extensive counseling and litigation expertise has been given to clients in the petroleum industry in matters involving violations of C.E.R.C.LA. and issues arising under the Environmental Conservation Law of the State of New York.
It should be emphasized that Albert J. Pirro, Jr. possesses specialized knowledge and experience in land use, environmental, zoning and real property development issues. Albert J. Pirro, Jr. previously held the position of Town Attorney for the TownNillage of Harrison. In
this position, Albert J. Pirro, Jr. has represented and advised the TownNillage Board, the Planning Board and Zoning Board.
The cumulative experience gained in the representation of municipal agencies, including attendant litigation and negotiations, has proven invaluable regarding the formulation of the appropriate strategy toward the approval and development of a parcel and the coordination of all necessary applications including financing through the use of Industrial Development Agencies.
Pirro, Jr. has represented numerous office, retail, and commercial developments throughout Westchester, Rockland, Orange and Putnam Counties and has also represented clients in significant retail leasing transactions across the country. Listed are those that the firm has represented or presently represents throughout the process of obtaining required approvals for construction and development. It should be noted that various projects described above incorporated the creation of either a traffic impact area or a traffic improvement area in order to fund needed roadway improvements.
Albert J. Pirro, Jr. also has extensive experience in the acquisition and development of residential properties. Various developments described below have required the preparation and filing of either a homeowner’s association or a condominium offering plan.
Industrial Developent Agencies
Albert J. Pirro, Jr. has counseled numerous clients from within, and outside, New York State who have sought to relocate and/or expand their businesses in Westchester County. Albert J. Pirro, Jr. is among the founding members of the County’s lead economic development agency, he Westchester Business Partnership. The Partnership is a coalition group of Westchester
County government officials and local business and real estate leaders who seek to provide assistance to retain businesses in the County and to attract others from outside Westchester to relocate here.
Extensive development, municipal finance, corporate finance and real estate transaction experience has enabled Albert J. Pirro, Jr. to expertly assist clients to obtain public and private financing assistance and economic incentives to develop their businesses.
Albert J. Pirro, Jr. is familiar with and has utilized the available NYS economic development programs, their funding capacities, and qualifying requirements (Job Development Authority, Urban Development Corporation, Empire State Economic Development Corporation, and REDDS — Regional Economic Development grants.) Clients appreciate our expertise in these complex transactions because we can expedite the approval process and assure compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements.
Working in conjunction with private bond financing and capital markets, as well as public agencies and departments, we have been successful in structuring capital development packages that combine private financing, public financing, economic development incentives
such as power utility discounts, interest rate subsidies, tax abatements (through IDA bond financing or non-monetary transactions) and, in certain cases, outright grants from Federal sources and the Empire State Economic Develoment Corportation.
Among the clients for whom Albert J. Pirro, Jr. has provided such representation:
AIRPORT PARKING ASSOCIATES: This project constituted a major public/private enterprise whereby a parking garage for the use of patrons at the Westchester County Airport was constructed by a private, single purpose entity on land owned by the County of Westchester. The construction financing was obtained through conventional financing and the permanent loan
was obtained through the Westchester County Industrial Development Agency and the issuance of IDB’s.
GRASSLANDS PARKING ASSOCIATES: Similar to the structure of the airport parking garage, this single purpose entity worked in partnership with the County of Westchester to construct and operate a parking facility at the Westchester County Medical Center. While the project is located on property owned by the County, the Facility itself is owned by the developer with the profits being shared with the County. This project was financed completely with private, conventional financing.
THE TRAVELERS’ GROUP: Working through the Westchester County Industrial Development Agency (“WCIDA”) Albert J. Pirro, Jr. negotiated an incentive package that included: sales tax exemption, a Payment in Lieu of Tax Agreement and substantial utility cost
savings for The Travelers’ in connection with construction of a $10 million Executive Conference Center in North Castle. Additionally, we obtained all land use approvals and zoning changes required by the project.
ITT CORPORATION: In connection with the ITT Corporation relocating its headquarters to Harrison, New York, Albert J. Pirro, Jr. represented the company before the Westchester County Industrial Development Agency and negotiated sales tax exemption, PILOT agreement and a 25% reduction in power utility costs through a new Con Edison/Westchester County Public Utility Service Agency Business Incentive Rate Program. ITT invested $4.5 million in the renovation and improvement of a leased 50,000 square foot office building on Red Oak Lane in the Town of Harrison.
FASHION MALL PARTNERS: Albert J. Pirro, Jr. represented the O’Connor Group in the structuring of corporate financing for construction of The Westchester shopping mall in White Plains using the Westchester County Industrial Development Agency. Taxable bond financing of $159,000,000 was obtained through the issuance of industrial development bonds (“IDBs”). At completion, this was a $250,000,000 project – at that time, the largest of its kind in Westchester.
CIBA GEIGY: This major corporation threatened to move out of Westchester when it outgrew its existing campus facility in Ardsley. Working together with NYS and County officials, this firm helped negotiate a retention package of benefits that led the company to relocate to Tarrytown. Albert J. Pirro, Jr. provided representation before local governments and state agencies and was successful in obtaining tax benefits from the WCIDA as an incentive for the company to remain in Westchester County.
PROPOSED DAVID’S ISLAND DEVELOPMENT: Albert J. Pirro, Jr. represented The Trump Organization regarding the proposed development of David’s Island. Among other proposals considered in connection with the project which the Firm was instrumental in
formulating, was the establishment of a Public Authority pursuant to special legislation by which substantial infrastructure improvements on the Island could be financed through the issuance of tax-exempt bonds, with associated credit-enhancement facilities and associated facilities.
BROWNFIELDS
Among the clients for whom Albert J. Pirro, Jr. has provided such representation:
- Crestwood Builders, LLC, Tuckahoe, New York – Legal consultant to Brownfield Cleanup Project for 43unit residential development
- Related Properties -Environmental Consultant for Brownfield Cleanup Program at Bronx Terminal Market.
- LC Main, LLC, White Plains, NY -Managed client’s participation in NYSDEC Brownfield
- Cleanup Program (BCP) from application through Certificate of Completion (December 2006) including successful expansion of site boundary and eligible tax credits
- Concord Associates, L.P., Kiamesha Lake, NY -Managing the client’s participation in BCP from application acceptance to subsequent expansion of site boundary through remediation and issuance of tax credits.
- One Point Street L.L.C., Yonkers, NY -Transitioned client from NYSDEC Voluntary Cleanup Program into BCP with an estimated cleanup cost of $24M and potential tax credits over $SOM.
- SFC Partners, L.L.C., Yonkers, NY -Guided client’s successful application for inclusion in BCP for this $2.3B project.
- Austin Ave LDC, Yonkers, NY -After obtaining approval for inclusion in NYSDEC Voluntary Cleanup Program, transitioned client into BCP
Labor Relations
Albert J. Pirro, Jr. Esq. has represented United Federation of Special Police and Security Officers, Inc., the United Federation of Police Officers, Inc. and the New York State Federation of Police, Inc. regarding collective bargaining agreements, mediation and arbitration under P.E.R.B. and election matters under the N.L.R.B.
Mr. Pirro represented the Retired Police Officers of the City of White Plains regarding retroactive reductions in City paid health insurance premiums and N.Y.S.H.I.P. in a 1983 Civil Rights litigation in federal court.
Mr. Pirro has represented clients regarding E.R.I.S.A. and E.E.O.C. violations in federal court litigation and provided Defense representation of two Fair Labor Standard Act Actions in United States District Court, Southern District of New York.
Mr. Pirro won a summary judgment motion against the Teamsters Local 282 Welfare, Pension, Annuity, Job Training and Vacation and Sick Leave Trust Funds under ERISA on a $12,000,000 action by Local 282 against our clients.
Representative Matters
GOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS
Health Care and Biotechnology
- Greater New York Hospital Association (199 Hospitals in the Tri-State area)
- New York Presbyterian Hospital
- Shine Medical Technologies, Inc. Academic Medical Development Corporation
(AMDEC) - Continuum Health Partners (Beth Israel Medical Center)
- Care Plus Health Plan and the Greater New York Healthcare Facilities Association
- Greater New York Hospital Association Ventures, Inc.
- HIMCO, Inc., manager of the HANYS Insurance Company
- Pinnacle Healthcare, Inc.
- Qualcare Alliance Networks, Inc.
- United Healthcare, Inc.
- Westchester County Health Care Corporation
Energy & Power
- Mirant, Inc. (formerly Southern Energy)
- PPL Global, LLC
Transportation
- General Motors
- Parson’s Transportation Group
- The Association of New York City Concrete Producers, Inc.
Consumer Products
- The Coca-Cola Bottling Company of New York
- Lorillard Tobacco Co.
- UST Public Affairs
Real Estate and Commercial Development
- New York Jets
- Insignia, ESG
- Niagra Falls Development Corporation
Miscellaneous
- Comprehensive Computer Resources, Inc.
- DeLeuw, Cather & Co.
- Primedia, Inc.
- Strategic Development Concepts, Inc.
- Zachy’s Wine & Liquor Store, Inc.
Former Special Project Clients
- Basketball City USA
- The Cable Television Association of New York, Inc.
- The Consulate-General of Japan
- Daxor Corporation
- International Model Management Association
- Metrocare Ambulance Servic
- New York Methodist Hospital
- New Yark State Association of Counties
- Oxygenated Fuels Association
- Powerhouse Technologies, Inc.
- St. Mary’s Hospital for Children
- Trump’s Taj Mahal Associates, Trump Castle Associates and Trump Plaza Associates
- Unified Technologies
Mr. Pirro during the Trump administration, served as a Washington, DC lobbyist for the
following clients:
- Greater New York Healthcare Associates Unified Technologies
- SHINE Technologies, Inc.
- Build a Better Infrastructure Coalition, Inc.
- Laborers International Union of North America (LIUNA)
Land Use and Zoning Reopresenation
- Related Properties regarding the development of Bronx Terminal Market as consultant for Brownfield Cleanup Program
- Trump Organization, Trump Briarcliff Golf Course
- Hudson Hills Golf Course
- Forest City Ratner as consultant for transportation infrastructure improvements for the Ridge Hill Development in Yonkers, New York
- Cappelli Enterprises as Brownfield consultant for development of the Concord Hotel and the White Plains Ritz Carlton.
- Keren Limited Partnership located in the Town of Greenburgh in relation to all necessary approvals in connection with various tenants as well as the development of a master plan with associated generic site plans for the property
- Home Depot USA, Inc. with regard to a proposed retail store in the Town of Greenburgh
- Home Depot USA, Inc., in relation to site plan approval and environmental review for the construction of a facility in the Town of Mount Pleasant and the City of Port Chester
- The Westchester, White Plains, New York, a 1,500,000 square foot enclosed mall connecting the Neiman Marcus store, the former B. Altman store and the former Minskoff property in the City of White Plains including an expansion of existing facilities to include Nordstrom’s department store (The Westchester f/k/a The Fashion Mall)
- Bloomingdales and Federated Department Stores expansion in White Plains, New York
- Travelers Insurance Company regarding the approval of a corporate headquarters facility in the Town of North Castle, New York Femcliff Cemetery expansion in Greenburgh, New York
- The Summit, presently owed by S.L. Green, regarding the development of over one million (1,000,000) square feet of office development
- Trafalgar Real Estate
- The Centre at Purchase regarding all environmental and land use approvals for a 1,500,000 square foot office complex built by Related Properties
- Yonkers Contracting and Hampshire Management Corporation regardingland use approvals for shopping centers.
- National Amusements, Inc. for the land use approvals for cinemas in th
- Town of Mount Pleasant and Yonkers, New York
- Marriott Courtyard for the land use approvals for facilities in Greenburgh, New York and Rye, New York
- A concrete plant in Buchanan, New York
- An asphalt plant in Peekskill, New York
- A 244,000 square foot light industrial park in Buchanan, New York
- The Price Club in New Rochelle, New York regarding the approvals for a specialty store
- Purchase Corporate Park Associates VI regarding the final development phase of the Centre at Purchase in Purchase, New York
- Best Rent Properties 202, LLC regarding the site development of Costco Wholesale Facility in the Town of Yorktown
Residential Development
- The representation of The Trump Organization regarding the development of David’s Island in New Rochelle, New York and certain golf course properties in New York
- Associated representation of The Trump Organization regarding the financing and municipal approvals for the Two Billion Dollar Riverside South project on the westside of Manhattan
- Cappelli Associates V with Toll Brothers regarding a 28 unit residential development in Mount Pleasant, New York
- Crestwood Builders, LLC regarding the design and development of a 43,000 square foot apartment complex in Tuckahoe, New York, together with an application for Brownfield Tax Credits.
- Nelson Avenue Associates and Colonial Arms, LLC regarding development of multi-family dwelling buildings in Harrison, New York.
- Park Lane Development, a three-hundred and six (306) unit clustered subdivision with lots ranging in size from one (1) acre to six (6) acres in Harrison, New York
- New Rochelle Lincoln Avenue Affordable Housing Project
- A two hundred forty-four (244) acre project in the Town of Lewisboro which incorporates three (3) developments
- A one hundred eighty-two (182) unit condominium development in the City of White Plains, New York
A mixed-use building in the City of White Plains - The adaptive re-use of the former Battle Hill School in the City of White Plains for a one hundred seventy-two (172) unit condominium development
- Special permit and site plan approval necessary for a ninety (90) unit condominium development in the Village of Mamaroneck.
- Subdivision and site plan approval for a one (1) acre cluster community for sixty-two (62) units in the Town of Ossining.
- A fifty-two (52) unit condominium development in the Village of Mamaroneck
- Pheasant Ridge, a twenty-three (23) unit clustered subdivision together with the use of Town Law Section 280A (open development area) in the Town of Harrison
- The Landing, a one hundred forty (140) unit cluster development in Dobbs Ferry which features a transfer of development rights from riparian lands located beneath the Hudson River
- A sixteen (16) acre and a sixty-five (65) acre subdivision in the Town of Harrison
- A six (6) acre and a seventy-six (76) acre subdivision in the Town of Cortlandt
- A twenty-seven (27) single family residential subdivision in the Village of
Buchanan - A fifteen (15) home subdivision in White Plains
- A seventy-two (72) unit waterfront development in Peekskill.
- Proposal for six hundred (600) units in Rhinebeck.
- The Halpern Organization, proposal for one thousand two hundred (1,200)
units in North Tarrytown - Town estate zoning and forty-five (45) unit subdivision application in the Village of Ossining including historic restoration of a historical building (Havell House) one hundred forty (140) unit residential rental project in White Plains
- Blue Mountain Estates, Woodside Manor and Washington Ridge subdivisions all in Cortlandt, New York.
- Trafalgar, proposal for four hundred sixty (460) units in Port Chester, New York
- Pirro Group, two hundred fifty-one (251) units in Wallkill, New York
- Simone Development and Pirro Group, thirteen (13) estate lots in Purchase, New York
- Stagg Group LLC development of multi-family residential in Port Chester and Harrison, New York
Crosby Equities, multi-family residential, Scarsdale, New York - 221 Buena Vista LLC, 105 affordable Senior Housing Units Yonkers, New York
Response to Request For Proposals (R.F.P.) for urban renewal development, condemnation, and inter-municipal agreements
- An R.F.P. issued by the County of Westchester regarding an eleven hundred(1100) parking space facility at the Westchester County Airport
- An R.F.P. issued by the County of Westchester regarding an eleven hundred (1100) parking space facility at the Westchester County Medical Center.
- An R.F.P. issued by the United States Postal Service for the development of 400,000 square foot postal facility in Washington D.C.
- An R.F.P. issued by the City of White Plains for a comprehensive sale, preservation and development of a historic building and the development of a 170,000 square foot office building.
- An R.F.P. for a residential development in the Village of Port Chester Harbor area for approximately four-hundred sixty ( 460) condominium units, together with a marina and boat slips.
- An R.F.P. for the design and development of a golf course at Mohansic Golf Course
Bar Admissions
- New York
- U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York
Education
- Albany Law School, J.D., 1974
- United States Department of Justice Fellowship, Law Enforcement Assistance Administration, Albany Law School (1971-1974)
- S.U.N.Y. at Albany, M.A., Criminal Justice Administration, 1971
- United States Department of Justice Fellowship, Law Enforcement Assistance Administration, S.U.N.Y. at Albany (1970-1971)
- St. Bonaventure University, B.A., 1969
- Academic Tuition Scholarship, St. Bonaventure University (1965-1969)
Publications
- Harrison Approves Mt. Sinai Hospital Cancer Infusion Center, The Examiner News, Featured (November 4, 2022)
- Cancer infusion center approved for Harrison, Westchester County Business Journal, Featured (October 28, 2022)
- What Does Zealous Representation in Mediation Matters Require?, New York Law Journal, (November 15, 2019)
- SEQRA: How to Avoid an Adverse Statute of Limitations Determination, New York Law Journal, (June 20, 2019)
- Improving Spot Zoning Challenges; New York Law Journal, (August 29, 2017)
- When Is a SEQRA Determination Ripe for Judicial Review? New York Law Journal, (June 26, 2017)
- Addressing Municipal Estoppel Upon Invalidly Issued Building Permit; New York Law Journal, (November 2, 2016)
- Considering the Issues When it comes to Selling Property; Real Estate Weekly, (August 15, 2007)
- The Unconstitutionality of Consolidated Planning Boards: Interlocal Planning Under New York Law; Pace Law Review, Vol. 16, No. 3, (Summer 1996)
- Financing Development Projects with the Westchester County IDA, Westchester County Business Journal, (April 24, 1995)
- Public and Private Benefits of Privatization, Area Development, (February 1995)
- The Open Development Area as a Planning and Zoning Device, The Westchester County Bar Journal, (Spring 1988)
- Adjournment In Contemplation of Dismissal; CPL Section 170.56, Albany Law Review, commented (Winter 1974)
- Acupuncture: The Practice of Medicine? Albany Law Review, Vol. 38, No. 4, (Spring 1974)
Pro Bono Services
- City of White Plains Retired Police Benevolent Association
- City of White Plains Retired Managerial/Confidential
- My Sister’s Place Domestic Violence Shelter
- Vietnam Veteran Association
- Westchester Hemophilia Association
Arbitrations and Mediations
- United Federation of Police Officers v. County of Rockland and
- CSEA, et al. (April 27, 2009).
- Village of Spring Valley v. Simpson, disciplinary hearing, August 23,
- 2010 (settled)
- United Federation of Police Officers Local 279 v
- Village of Walton (September 10, 2010).
- The GEO Group, Inc. v. United Federation of Special Police and Security
- Officers (Mark Berry) FMCS Case No. 10563038
- (November 30, 2010).
- United Federation of Special Police and Security Officers v. The Geo
- Group, Inc. (Aleasha Barton) FMCS Case No. 1151250 (Connolly,
- December 2, 2010)
- United Federation of Police Officers v. Village of Sleepy Hollow
- (Impasse) PERB Case No. M 2009266 (Korn, January 6, 2011)
- United Federation of Special Police and Security Officers v. Mount Sinai
- Medical Center (Alan Schuster) (Biren, August 25, 2011)
- United Federation of Special Police and Security Officers v. Garda
- United Federation of Special Police and Security Officers (Jeffers) v.
- G4S Regulated Security Solutions, Inc. FMCS Case No. 110831584381
- (Paradis, March 7, 2012)
- United Federation of Special Police and Security Officers (Inman) v. The
- Geo Group, Inc., FMCS Case No. 11579566 (Bass, March 21, 2012)
- United Federation of Special Police and Security Officers (Phillips),
- FCMA Case No. 1209980069
- Cantu v. Village of Spring Valley, October 31, 2012
- United Federation of Special Police and Security Officers (LaBarre)
- G4S Regulated Security Solutions, FMCS Case No. 12502701
- (Wolfson, March 1, 2013, settled)