On August 30, 2022, the $14 million adaptive re-use of the abandoned Bryant School began in the city of Hornell, New York. When complete, the former elementary school will feature 39 affordable apartments in an energy-efficient building.
A week later, on September 6, 2022, construction began on a $16 million affordable housing development in the city of Olean in Cattaraugus County. State Street Apartments includes the conversion of a vacant warehouse into 46 affordable homes, including 14 with supportive services.
Both projects complement Governor Kathy Hochul‘s plan to make housing across New York State more affordable, equitable, and stable.
In the FY 2023 State Budget, Hochul introduced and successfully secured a new $25 billion, five-year, comprehensive housing plan that will increase housing supply by creating or preserving 100,000 affordable homes across New York including 10,000 with support services for vulnerable populations, plus the electrification of an additional 50,000 homes.
“Making affordable homes available to more families will enable Hornell to grow and unlock the opportunities provided by continued investment in the community,” Governor Hochul said. “Developments like Bryant School Apartments are a critical component of my administration’s $25 billion plan to provide safe, energy-efficient affordable housing in communities across New York. We will continue working tirelessly to expand much-needed affordable housing – helping us build toward a more stable and equitable future for the next generation.”
Regarding the State Street Apartments in Olean, Governor Hochul said: “With this new development, we are helping to secure Olean’s future with 46 safe, affordable homes for New York families.“.
Bryant School in Hornell
The Bryant School opened in the mid-20th century and was operating as an elementary school for 2nd and 3rd graders until it closed at the conclusion of the 2020-21 school year when the Hornell City School District streamlined elementary education to reduce the number of school transitions.
Hornell Mayor John J. Buckley says, “I would like to commend Park Grove Development for this project and their continued investment in the City of Hornell. As our local economy continues to grow, there is more pressure than ever to provide affordable housing options within the city. This project does just that and will transform and repurpose an unused school building which otherwise would most likely sit empty into the foreseeable future and be a burden for School District taxpayers. Park Grove has a proven track record here in Hornell with the Rockland Silk Mill project having recently transformed an old, abandoned building into loft apartments. I would also like to thank all our partners at the state level for their continued support in making projects such as this a reality.”
The redevelopment of the Bryant School complements Governor Hochul’s plan to make housing across New York State more affordable, equitable, and stable. In the FY 2023 State Budget, the Governor introduced and successfully secured a new $25 billion, five-year, comprehensive housing plan that will increase housing supply by creating or preserving 100,000 affordable homes across New York including 10,000 with support services for vulnerable populations, plus the electrification of an additional 50,000 homes.
The gut rehabilitation will reuse the Bryant School’s existing two-story, 50,000 square foot masonry building, and will also include an 8,500 square-foot addition at the south end of the site with eight apartments.
Located at 173 Terry Street, the Bryant School Apartments will consist of two studio, 23 one-bedroom, and 14 two-bedroom apartments. Twenty of the apartments will be affordable to households earning at or below 50 percent of the Area Median Income, with the remaining 19 apartments affordable to those at or below 60 percent of the AMI. Residents will be provided with free high-speed broadband internet.
The development will retain the Bryant School’s existing playground and fenced-in greenspace with matured trees, which have been enjoyed by generations of Hornell’s children, while adding modern amenities including a fitness center and laundry rooms on each floor.
The project will increase energy efficiency and the completed development will meet the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority’s New Construction Housing Program and 2020 Enterprise Green Communities requirements.
The development will complement $10 million in investment in the city’s nearby downtown by the State’s Downtown Revitalization Initiative. The Bryant School’s re-use will help Hornell meet a significant need for workforce housing, following a 2016 study which indicated that the city would need hundreds of affordable homes to meet increased demand as the result of extensive public and corporate investment in the city.
The Bryant School is in a walkable neighborhood with sidewalks and is adjacent to a Hornell Area Transit bus stop, providing residents access to the area community.
Homes and Community Renewal Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas said, “The re-use of the Bryant School will preserve a building which holds cherished memories for generations of Hornell families, while creating affordable apartments for 39 households in a growing city with an urgent need for workforce housing. This community-oriented development illustrates Governor Hochul’s commitment to meeting the need for affordable homes in all corners of the State. We thank the Providence Housing Development Corporation, Park Grove Development, local leaders, and our partners at NYSERDA for their work in making this development a reality.”
The project was developed by Providence Housing Development Corporation and Park Grove Development, LLC.
State investment in the Bryant School includes Federal and State Low-Income Housing Tax Credits that generated $9.7 million in equity, a $3.5 million in subsidy from the New York State Homes and Community Renewal. NYSERDA will provide $39,000 in support.
State Street Apartments, Olean
This redevelopment involves the gut rehabilitation of a 64,000 square foot vacant warehouse located on East State Street. The design will maintain the current layout of the building, except for the demolition of 10,000 square feet of interior warehouse floor area to provide residents an interior courtyard overlooking Olean Creek/Alleghany River.
Olean Mayor William Aiello said, “CDS Housing took on the challenge of converting the former Market Basket warehouse into 46 affordable apartments and I want to offer my congratulations as the ground is broken on this construction project. The City of Olean Departments of Community Development and Code Enforcement as well as the Planning Board worked with CDS as the organization sought funding and environmental approvals; I appreciate their perseverance and dedication to this venture. Finally, I would like to acknowledge all federal and state agencies involved in this process, with special thanks to Connecting Communities in Action who will supply support services to residents when the housing is available.”
All 46 apartments will be affordable to households earning at or below 50 percent of the Area Median Income. Fourteen apartments will be reserved for households in need of supportive services. Rental subsidies and services for these units will be funded through the Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative and administered by the New York Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance. The services provider is Cattaraugus Community Action.
Five of the apartments will be fully accessible, fully adapted units for persons with mobility impairment and two of the apartments will be equipped for persons with hearing and/or visual impairment.
The building will include free Wi-Fi for all residents with 24/7 IT management. Additional residential amenities will include a community room with kitchen, a computer lab, fitness center, laundry room on each floor, lobbies/communal seating areas, as well as offices for property management and supportive service staff, and maintenance storage.
The building’s green design is expected to meet the requirements of the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority’s New Construction Program and LEED version 4. Energy efficient measures include the installation of all-new energy efficient mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems; new energy efficient doors and windows for improved insulation; low- or no-VOC paint, adhesives, and sealants; Energy Star rated or equivalent windows and appliances, equipment, lighting, and fixtures and Energy Star rated central heat and hot water.
Planned improvements to 2.4-acre parcel will include the construction of a new and enlarged parking lot with four EV charging stations, new site lighting, landscaping, benches, and the installation of a new playground.
The developer is CDS Monarch, Inc.
RuthAnne Visnauskas said, “Like many communities, Olean has an urgent need for new affordable housing to support the city’s standing as an employment and economic center in Western New York. State Street Apartments will help meet this need by converting an unused warehouse into 46 beautiful and sustainable affordable homes with life-enhancing amenities like free Wi-Fi and outdoor space. Thanks to Governor Hochul, investments like this one are addressing the nationwide affordability crisis on behalf of New York’s families. Congratulations to CDS Monarch for getting this development off the ground.”
State financing for State Street Apartments includes Federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credits that will generate $9.4 million in equity a $3 million in subsidy from the New York State Homes and Community Renewal. OTDA is providing $3.5 million through the Homeless Housing Assistance Program and NYSERDA will provide approximately $46,000 in support.
Images courtesy of Office of the New York Governor.