The major renovation of an apartment high rise serving seniors and those with disabilities is a critical step forward for the ambitious East Adams neighborhood redevelopment plan. The $107 million project includes efficiency, accessibility, and unit upgrades.
The recent kickoff of renovations at the nearly 200-unit Almus Olver Tower included swings of a sledgehammer into a wall by city, state, and community leaders.
The 62-year-old complex on Burt Street sits on the southwest edge of the sprawling property owned by the Syracuse Housing Authority. Deputy Mayor Sharon Owens said the tower project is a symbolic start.
“There's been a lot of conversation about this billion dollar project we should celebrate today," Owens said. "Today is the first step. Today is the beginning of the transformation of this community.”
Owens calls it a flagship project that combines the affordable housing with climate responsibility. Geothermal pumps will heat and cool the building, and all windows will be replaced with high-efficiency units.
Paul Bradford has lived in the tower for seven years. He said the one bedroom units offer the best amenities in the city.
“I'm excited to see the outcome of this project," Bradford said. "The neighborhood in itself is going through a transformation, and, like the deputy mayor said, every journey begins with one step, and Syracuse Housing is moving forward.”
Adhi Nagraj is with developer McCormack Baron Salazar, which is overseeing the tower project and larger East Adams redevelopment. He said their goal is minimal disruption for residents.
“Preserving families in place is becoming as important, if not more important, than building new, and so I'm excited that this overall program includes stabilization," Nagraj said. "No temporary moves outside the building. Everything will be done in this building, with the residents staying here.”
SHA board vice chair Chris Montgomery said the project preserves and strengthens affordable housing for vulnerable populations, and sets the stage for what's next.
“This is just the beginning," Montgomery said. "The transformation of East Adams will take years, but this project will lay the foundation that will serve generations to come.”
The hope is the next project will be the Children Rising Center a block north of the tower. There are efforts to revive it after bureaucratic red tape, miscommunication, and missed deadlines for critical funding temporarily stalled the signature project.
