By CATHARINA THUEMLING and DAVID CRUZ 

Former Bronx Borough President Adolfo Carrion has gone into the private sector, accepting a job as vice president of a construction developer after months serving as its lobbyist.

Carrion, who moved on to briefly become Director of Housing and Urban Development for the White House, will work for Stagg Group as  Strategic Advisor and Executive Vice President. The Stagg Group has been developing a trio of apartment buildings on Webster Avenue, kicking off a series of development projects along the corridor.

“We are excited to have Adolfo on our team and recognize the value of his broad experience and knowledge in urban planning, housing and economic development,” said Stagg Group Founder Mark Stagg. “We have been investing in the Bronx for almost two decades now; we think the quality of our work speaks for itself; and we are ready to expand into the other boroughs.”

The move signals an ambitious plan by Stagg to expand beyond the Bronx, where he owns several hundred properties.

Carrion was already entrenched in the Webster Avenue project, serving as a go-between for Stagg and Community Board 7, which requested updates on Mr. Stagg’s intentions for the buildings. Strategic planning has indeed taken place since then, with the Stagg Group making charitable donation of turkeys to nearby communities.

News of Carrion’s rise to VP comes two weeks after guests at the Bedford Mosholu Community Association heard from a Stagg Group representative showcasing complex that’s close to opening on Webster Avenue. But the main subject was rents.

Cristanir Arroyo, a representative of Stagg Group, ran the numbers down at the Dec. 3 meeting, noting 97 studio and 1- and 2-bedroom apartments will occupy the buildings. The three buildings will have market rate apartments that start $1300 for studios per month, while monthly rents for one and two bedrooms will go for $1,500 to $1,700 respectively.

Agreeing to set aside 20 percent of their units to qualify for the Housing Preservation and Development Department’s 421-a tax incentive, the Stagg Group will offer 25 affordable housing apartments. Rents for affordable units range from $1,275 for a one-bedroom to $1,435 a month for a two-bedroom. They will be assigned through a lottery.

So far, 25,000 applicants are vying for the affordable units. It’s unclear when Stagg Group will decide who will be offered a lease.

And though attendees expressed a sense of thrill learning the building will open, many were divided over whether the market rate rents were a true reflection of incomes around the Norwood area. The apartments have relatively high rents when compared to the average rent in the Bronx. But the Stagg representative affirmed the buildings won’t convert into a homeless shelter or a supportive housing complex.

Also, the board members and neighbors wondered what will become of the mandated first floor commercial space. Arroyo mentioned since this is Stagg’s first attempt at leasing commercial space, it’s hired an outside broker to find a reputable merchant. All re-emphasized that the community’s not in the business of seeing another dollar store.

On top of rent, tenants will have to pay for the heat, though hot water will be paid by the Stagg Group. Because the newly constructed buildings are classified as energy efficient, the additional costs of heating through the cold months will be only $80 to $90. The buildings also will be equipped with A/C’s, picnic tables for the gardens and trees in the front.

The building is expected to open sometime in January, bringing a revitalized Webster Avenue a step closer to fruition.