Tuesday was a major step forward in a senior housing community project in Syracuse.
There was lots of celebrating as those working on the East Adams Transformation Plan said environmental remediation has been completed, and vertical construction has begun.
Project leaders said there was a major setback when the federal government shut down last year.
“All of a sudden the project was in jeopardy and we lost $4 million of our capital stock,” said Allyson Carpenter, the Vice President of Development for McCormack Baron Salazar. “We do deals all over the country, and so I can say this with a great amount of certainty that any state anywhere else in the country, this project would not have closed. But as my partners at HCR remind me, this is New York, where they get things done.”
They are building a new affordable housing community featuring 125 units for seniors.
“When they talk about having new this and new that and hey, that’s something big for us all we ever got was leftovers and now we’re getting something new. So we appreciate that and everything that goes with it,” said Syracuse resident Uncle Butch.
“With the I-81 coming down, it is going to bring the community together. I think it’s a great thing, and I hope it is for everyone, not just one type of culture. I hope it’s everyone that enjoys this,” said Syracuse resident Milton Martinez.
The project will be called The Simmons at East Adams, named after former Syracuse Housing Authority Executive Director Bill Simmons.