UTICA – The Rescue Mission of Utica is pleased to announce that they have received New York State Homes and Community (HCR) tax credit and Housing Trust Fund awards for the new construction of West Street Apartments. Jim Haid, executive director of The Rescue Mission of Utica, announces that the Rescue Mission of Utica has received funding to build its first workforce apartment project – West Street Apartments. The Rescue Mission of Utica is project sponsor/developer. Since 1890 the Rescue Mission of Utica has been serving the City of Utica and Mohawk Valley, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year to assist individuals overcoming homelessness, abuse, addiction and disabilities. Executive Director Jim Haid states “As a provider in serving these populations, we see daily the struggles to find quality affordable housing for clients as well as for the community in general”. The proposed 42 units help to address the need identified in the 2015 project market study and the City’s affordable housing in the City of Utica.
West Street Apartments involves the removal of the blighting vacant structure at 1013 West Street and the new construction of a 3-story building including 5 vacant parcels on West Street along with the adjoining vacant lots – 1003, 1007, 1011, 1019, 1023 and 1027 West Street and 1012-1014 Miller Street. This new construction will consist of 42 one (1) and two (2) bedroom workforce apartments affordable to individuals and small families with total household income at or below 50% of area median income including 11 permanent supportive housing apartments for the homeless, those at risk of homelessness, and/or formerly homeless individuals or small families. The project will include approximately 7,200 square feet of community services space which will consist of four programs operated by the Rescue Mission of Utica: Learning Center, Community Clothing Room, Food Pantry and the Representative Payee Program. These projects deliver clothing, food, employment training and skills, and representative payee services to the Utica community. The Rescue Mission currently provides programs such as Emergency Shelter, Addiction Crisis Center, Residential Aftercare Program, Enriched Living Center, Learning Center, Spiritual Life Center, Representative Payee Program, Skills for Success Job Training Program and the Community Service Outreach Program. All of the programs above are dedicated to helping provide warmth, shelter, clothing, job training and spiritual connection within the community. The Rescue Mission of Utica remains a staple of community outreach and stabilization looking to benefit all within the community.
The Rescue Mission of Utica has assembled a development team experienced in multifamily and mixed- used developments including: Edgemere Development, Inc., consulting developer, PLAN Architectural Studio, PC, Charles A. Gaetano Construction Corp. (General Contractor) and Delta Development (Civil Engineer). Stephanie Benson, COO and Partner of Edgemere Development, states “ West Street Apartments garnered the support of New York State quickly because of many partners including the strong support of Mayor Palmieri, Council and the City of Utica, MV Regional Economic Development Council, Congressman Richard Hanna, Assemblyman Anthony Brindisi, Senator Joseph Griffo, County Executive Anthony Picente, Central New York Services, United Cerebral Palsy, Mohawk Valley Housing and Homeless Coalition, Oneida County Department of Social Services, and many, many others. We thank all those involved for their support and helping to tell our story.”
Mayor Palmieri stated, “We are very pleased the State approved the West Street apartment project and we thank Jim and the entire Rescue Mission team for their hard work and tireless effort in enhancing the lives for so many people in our community. This project will provide needed affordable housing and services for our residents.”
“We are very pleased to see this project move forward. I congratulate Jim and the entire Rescue Mission team for their effort and commitment to our region and to those in need.” – Anthony J. Picente Jr.
Estimated $13.4 million dollar total development costs include the following:
- $9,331,467 – Investor Equity from Enterprise Community Investment for the purchase of low income housing tax credits; an estimated annual allocation from NYS Homes and Community Renewal of $924,000
- $2,200,000 – Housing Trust Fund
- $ 1,500,000 – Rural and Urban Community Investment Fund (NYS HCR)
- $200,000 -City of Utica HOME
- $84,000 – NYSERDA Low Rise New Construction Program
Construction is anticipated to begin by the end of 2016 and to last approximately 16 months. For more information, contact The Rescue Mission of Utica, 212 Rutger Street, Utica NY 13501 and (315) 735-1645.
Each year, the Rescue Mission serves over 138,000 meals to the hungry, provides over 44,000 nights of lodging and care to those facing homelessness, assists 707 men and women in their battle against substance abuse, provides over 13,000 articles of free clothing to men, women and children, and helped 86% of the shelter residents find permanent housing.
Visit our photo gallery to track the progress of this exciting project!
