State Begins $22M Redevelopment of Former Bowling Alley
The building design incorporates solar panels and other energy-savings features that state officials say will make Energy Square the Hudson Valley’s first “net zero” affordable housing development.
KINGSTON, NY—New York State officials announced today the start of construction of a redevelopment project that will replace a dilapidated former bowling alley with 57 affordable housing units and more than 11,000 square feet of civic and commercial space.
The $22-million Energy Square project, which will also include an elevated urban park, is being spearheaded by the New York State Homes and Community Renewal. The building design incorporates solar panels and other energy-savings features that state officials say will make Energy Square the Hudson Valley’s first “net zero” affordable housing development.
Energy Square will be constructed on the 1.3-acre site of the former Mid City Lanes bowling alley at 20 Cedar St.
Homes and Community Renewal Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas says, “Energy Square is a unique, sustainable and exciting development that breathes new life into an outdated property and makes it possible for people of all ages and income levels to call one of Kingston’s most vibrant city neighborhoods home.”
The project being developed by Kingston-based RUPCO, will house the Center for Creative Education, a community-based nonprofit that provides art education and job training for young adults.
Energy Square’s 57 affordable rental apartments will be located on the upper floors of the five-story building. There will be two studios, 44 one-bedroom, seven two-bedroom, and four three-bedroom apartments. Two apartments will be reserved for homeless adults and another seven apartments will be set aside for homeless young adults with services funded through the Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative. RUPCO will provide supportive services for these apartments.
The building will include will also include a tech meet-up space/incubator. Rents plus utilities will range from $441-$1,428; homes will be affordable to residents with earnings below Ulster County’s area median income.
RUPCO is partnering with Affordable Housing Concepts, the Ulster County Workforce Development Board and the Ulster YouthBuild to recruit, train and hire a minimum of 12 modest-income young adults ages 17 to 30 from the surrounding neighborhoods to participate in the construction of Energy Square.
New York State’s investment in Energy Square comes through New York State Homes and Community Renewal programs, including $11.7 million in federal and state low income housing tax credit equity and $4.8 million in subsidy programs. The New York State Energy Research Development Agency provided more than $1 million in grants and incentives. Additional public and private partners include the City of Kingston, Chase, National Equity Fund, and the Community Preservation Corporation.
Energy Square complements investments being made in Kingston through the $10-million Downtown Revitalization Initiative awarded to the city last year. In July, the state announced six DRI projects that will provide open public space, and community amenities, improve walkability and access to transportation, and support small businesses.
The New York State Homes and Community Renewal Commissioner also announced today the opening of a $15-million scattered-site project that renovated 15 abandoned properties to create 45 new affordable apartments in a four-block area of Newburgh’s East End. Called East End Apartments, the Orange County development is helping to revitalize this historic neighborhood while preserving its character.
East End Apartments were also rehabilitated by RUPCO, which is maintaining ownership with Safe Harbors of the Hudson serving as property manager. Among the development’s 45 homes are seven apartments set aside for homeless youth ages 18 to 25 and homeless veterans. Bridges of New York will coordinate their support services. Another 12 apartments will be targeted to tenants involved in artistic or literary endeavors.
Last week, the New York State Homes and Community Renewal and the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development cut the ceremonial ribbons of New Settlement Apartments, a $177-million scatter site development, and 1561 Walton Ave., a $20-million newly constructed 11-story building in the Bronx. Together, these two developments have created and preserved 953 affordable homes in the Mount Eden neighborhood of the Bronx with hundreds of homes set aside for formerly homeless families. Settlement Housing Fund, Inc. is the developer for both projects, and the Briarwood Organization is a co-developer for 1561 Walton.