Former Syracuse school, convent converted to housing development in $20 million state project

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Construction crews have completed work on a $20 million project to convert the St. Anthony of Padua Catholic School and Convent into a housing development at 411 W. Colvin St. in Syracuse.

Known as the Gardens at St. Anthony’s Apartments, the development now offers 54 homes for adults ages 55 and older, with half of the apartments reserved for seniors in “need of supportive services,” RuthAnne Visnauskas, commissioner of New York State Homes and Community Renewal (HCR) announced.

HCR held a formal-opening event at the venue this week.

State financing for The Gardens at St. Anthony’s includes federal low-income housing tax credits that generated $11.1 million in equity and $2.6 million in subsidies from New York State Homes and Community Renewal.

The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation allocated federal and state historic tax credits that generated $5.9 million in equity and the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority provided $52,400 in support. The City of Syracuse contributed $700,000 in HOME funding, HCR noted.

Rochester–based Home Leasing is the developer and property manager, and Syracuse–based Nascentia Health is the service provider. Home Leasing Construction completed the renovations.

The renovated property includes 27 apartments for seniors who will have access to on-site services funded through the Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative and administered by the New York State Department of Health. Nascentia Health is coordinating and providing the supportive services. The remaining apartments are for adults ages 55 and older with incomes at or below 60 percent of the area median income.

The St. Anthony of Padua Catholic School and Convent building were originally constructed in 1926 and are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. After closing as a private school, the Syracuse City School District used the property until 2009.