ALBANY, NY-New York State has issued $6.7 million worth of awards for housing projects in Westchester County, including almost $2.9 million for a an 85-unit low-income senior development in the City of Mount Vernon.

FARMINGTON, CT-Ginsburg Development Cos. of Hawthorne, NY reports it has received municipal approval for its proposal to build a 44-unit luxury housing community called "Chimney Hill" on a vacant 36-acre parcel here.

ALBANY, NY-Governor George E. Pataki reports that the state will grant more than $5.4 million in aid for affordable housing projects in Rockland and Orange counties, including the rehab of the former Hotel Newburgh.

YONKERS, NY-Mack-Cali Realty Corp. has acquired the 3 Odell Plaza office building here for $6 million. The REIT also announced it has leased approximately 45,000 sf of space at its new property to Montefiore Medical Center.

BRISTOL, CT-Savanna Partners Corp., a New York-based investment group, has paid $23.5 million for a 1,162,167-sf facility here that for about 20 years housed manufacturing operations of General Motors.

WHITE PLAINS, NY-Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide is trying to appeal to a very special niche--the hotelier has launched a program at some of its facilities in the US and Canada to welcome man's best friend--the dog.

STAMFORD, CT-Reckson Associates, in its first acquisition in the Westchester/Fairfield County market in four years, has acquired 1055 Washington Blvd., a 181,800-sf office building for approximately $32.7 million in cash and stock.

POUGHKEEPSIE, NY-An Englewood Cliffs, NJ real estate management firm has acquired a 288-unit rental housing complex here for $20 million, according to officials with Marcus & Millichap Real Estate Investment Brokerage Co.