New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced demolition at 800–2 S. Wilbur Avenue has been completed, marking progress in the redevelopment of the 600,000ft² Syracuse Developmental Center into a mixed-use complex in Syracuse, New York.
The $130m transformation programme, to be delivered in three phases, encompasses plans for housing, commercial and green spaces on the long-unused site.
Following the conclusion of demolition and site preparation, developers are set to begin construction of more than 260 affordable apartments as the first phase of the project.
The initial stage will deliver studio, one, two and three-bedroom apartments for households earning between 30% and 80% of the Area Median Income.
Residents will have access to amenities such as a gym, laundry facilities and a community room. The site is situated in central Syracuse, near existing rental properties, single-family homes, local businesses, highways and public transport links.
Governor Kathy Hochul said: “This important project is transforming the long-abandoned Syracuse Developmental Center into high-quality, mixed-use, mixed-income housing that will rejuvenate this community for decades to come.
“Thanks to our close collaboration with local leaders like Mayor Owens and other stakeholders, we will remain dedicated to building the housing we need, to keep investing in new opportunities, and driving the economy of the future.”
Support for the first phase includes funding through New York State Homes and Community Renewal’s Federal Low Income Tax Credit Program, expected to generate $40.4m in equity, and the State Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Program, projected at $4.9m. Additional support includes $58.5m from the New Construction Program and $7.3m in permanent tax-exempt bonds.
Empire State Development, New York’s chief economic development agency, has invested $29m in site preparation, which covered demolition, remediation of existing structures, and infrastructure expansion including water, sewer, roads, sidewalks, tree planting and lighting. The City of Syracuse is contributing $9m to the effort.
The redevelopment of Syracuse Developmental Center is projected to deliver more than 500 apartments and townhomes, combining affordable and market-rate options. Plans also include 7.5 acres of green space, an advanced manufacturing facility with office space and 3,600ft² of retail commercial areas.
The initiative is intended to expand the region’s housing supply to accommodate growth connected to Micron’s $100bn investment in a new campus in the Town of Clay, which could result in 50,000 new jobs over the next 20 years.
