UTICA, N.Y. — Construction crews have finished their work on The Link at Sunset, a $20 million housing community in Utica. It replaced the long-vacant Sunset School with 60 apartments, including 12 units reserved for adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities who will have access to on-site supportive services. The Link at Sunset development involved […]
UTICA, N.Y. — Construction crews have finished their work on The Link at Sunset, a $20 million housing community in Utica.
It replaced the long-vacant Sunset School with 60 apartments, including 12 units reserved for adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities who will have access to on-site supportive services.
The Link at Sunset development involved the demolition of the “long-vacant and decaying” Sunset School, the office of Gov. Kathy Hochul said in a Dec. 7 news release. The newly constructed development is a single four-story building that has 48 apartments that are “affordable” to households earning at or below 80 percent of the area median income.
“The Link at Sunset serves Utica in countless ways, not only by replacing a deteriorating school with a modern housing development, but also by providing vital services to those who need them the most,” Hochul said. “Every New Yorker deserves a safe place to lay their head at night and with projects like these we are working to expand access to housing for all.”
The project’s mechanical systems include energy-recovery ventilators for heating and ventilation with central air conditioning for each unit. Construction also incorporated energy-efficiency practices and equipment such as appliances, hot-water production, windows, lighting, insulation, and air sealing.
State financing included federal and state low-income housing tax credits that generated $13 million in equity and $3.7 million in subsidy from New York State Homes and Community Renewal.
The New York State Office for People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) provided $1.8 million in capital and NYSERDA provided $60,000 in support.
The Mohawk Valley Regional Economic Development Council recommended a round 9 capital-fund grant through Empire State Development for $380,000 to be used toward demolition and construction costs in exchange for the creation of 12 jobs. The City of Utica also provided $300,000, Hochul’s office said.
The Link at Sunset is part of the state’s $20 billion, five-year housing plan to make housing accessible and to combat homelessness by building or preserving more than 100,000 affordable homes and 6,000 homes with supportive services. Since 2011, New York State Homes and Community Renewal has invested more than $265 million in the Mohawk Valley, which has created or preserved over 2,500 affordable homes, Hochul’s office said.
Kelberman Center role
The project has 12 apartments reserved for individuals who will have access to on-site supportive services. Services and rental subsidies are funded through OPWDD’s integrated supportive housing program.
The service provider is the Kelberman Center, which is also the project’s developer, Hochul’s office said.
The building’s ground floor includes a 7,000 square feet commercial space for use by the Kelberman Center for administrative offices and year-round programming for the people they support, including events and activities for everyone living at The Link.
The Kelberman Center — an affiliate of Upstate Caring Partners, Inc. — is a provider of autism services for children, adults, and families in the Mohawk Valley and Central New York. The Kelberman Center says it provides specialized programs, resources, and support services to help create fulling, life-enriching experiences for individuals and families.