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The first of four ambitious projects to turn vacant but historic buildings in Elmira into affordable housing is ready for tenants.
Local officials gathered Thursday afternoon for a ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the opening of "The Apartments" at 406 E. Church St., part of a $20 million project by Arbor Housing and Development to convert four long-abandoned sites into 41 units of affordable housing around downtown Elmira.
The Apartments, formerly known as the Pierce and Bickford building, is a three-story structure that now features 10 one-bedroom apartments and one two-bedroom unit, including laundry, maintenance and mechanical spaces.
The four buildings are known collectively as "Reynolds Way Apartments," and construction got underway in December 2022.
"We had so many partners that made this happen. Gov. Hochul has been heavily invested in affordable housing," said Susan Bull, Arbor Housing and Development chief executive officer. "We got a lot of support from the City of Elmira."
The other three sites are expected to be ready for occupancy this summer. They are:
- The Townhomes: 416 E. Church St., a three-story former “row home” that consists of four connected buildings. Rehabilitation of the building will result in two studios, six one-bedroom and four two-bedroom apartments, including an elevator, laundry and mechanical space.
- The Warehouse: 310 Academy Place, a four-story former warehouse. The restored complex will include three studios, ten one-bedroom and one two-bedroom apartments, along with an elevator, laundry room, mechanical space, community room with kitchenette, and leasing office.
- The Stowell House: 319 William St., a vacant two-story building that has been acquired through a bankruptcy sale. The new facility will offer four one-bedroom apartments, including laundry, and mechanical space. One unit is fully adapted for people with mobility impairments.
"The transformation of once dilapidated properties into much needed housing for the community will have a very positive impact on this downtown neighborhood," said Elmira Mayor Dan Mandell. "The project aligns closely with the city’s planning efforts including our form-based zoning codes, updated under the Downtown Revitalization Initiative."
Collectively, 13 of the apartments are reserved for families experiencing homelessness who will have access to supportive services and rental subsidies.
Rents for all of the apartments are income-based depending on household size, up to a little over $41,000. Monthly rates range from $525-$740.
Project rents include water, sewer, and trash. Tenants will be responsible for gas, electric and internet/cable.
Chemung County Chamber of Commerce President Jennifer Herrick-McGonigal, whose office is just down the street, is among those happy to see the old building at 406 E. Church St. restored.
"I was always concerned about this space before this transformation," Herrick-McGonigal said. "We look forward to future collaborations with Arbor."
Secretary of State Robert J. Rodriguez said the Reynolds Way project is a "win-win" that leverages public and private investments to support Gov. Kathy Hochul's housing priorities.
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Added Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), “Every Elmira resident deserves access to safe, affordable housing, and I am proud the Federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit, that I fought hard to expand, has supplied the millions needed to complete renovations on these long-awaited affordable, accessible apartments for residents and families right in Elmira’s downtown.
"High housing costs are a key driver of inflation so we must build more housing to bring down those high prices."
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