Work begins on S.E. Payne Cornerstone Apartments in Auburn

AUBURN  —  Construction officially started on a 16-building, 35-unit housing project in Auburn’s Orchard Street neighborhood today.

Crews are set to build the S.E. Payne Cornerstone Apartments, units targeted at low-income residents and people with disabilities. New York state is providing the project with $3.1 million in funding awarded through its Regional Economic Development Council initiative.

Officials held a groundbreaking ceremony today to mark the start of work. The Regional Economic Development Council funding plan called for demolishing 11 buildings, rehabilitating 12 units, and constructing 23 units.

“S.E. Payne Cornerstone will provide a mix of rehabilitated and new housing that will address a critical need for safe, affordable homes for families and revitalize the Orchard Street neighborhood,” Darryl Towns, commissioner and CEO of New York State Homes and Community Renewal, said in a news release.

New York State Homes and Community Renewal is made up of the state’s major housing and community-renewal agencies. It is posting the $3.1 million in state project funding. Housing Visions, a nonprofit based in Syracuse, applied for the funding.

The city of Auburn, Housing Visions, and the Allyn Foundation are also providing investments, according to Empire State Development. The state economic development agency estimates those investments will generate more than $10 million in local economic activity.

Once the housing project is complete, rent at the apartments will range between $473 and $870 per month. The development will include community space, a laundry facility, a computer lab, a community kitchen, off-street parking, and green space.

Contact Seltzer at rseltzer@cnybj.com