The redevelopment of a Syracuse public housing complex into a mixed-income neighborhood has reached a major milestone. Hundreds gathered Wednesday for a groundbreaking of the $102 million East Adams project.
The ceremonial turning of the dirt marks a significant step forward for the first phase of a massive $1 billion dollar overhaul of public housing. Syracuse Housing Authority Executive Director Bill Simmons said residents played a crucial role.
“We felt that it was a real opportunity to work with residents, build a new neighborhood here with a lot of hope and vision and dreams," he said. "And our residents took part in all those meetings. There was a lot of trust and faith on their part to make sure that this happens.”
It took developers less than a month to tear down 25 aging apartment units that made up McKinney Manor to make way for a four-story 125 unit building. It was named after Langston McKinney, the city’s first black judge who died last year. He served on the bench for nearly 25 years, mostly hearing tenants' rights cases. His widow Linda Littlejohn said his legacy will continue.
“Langston was a firm believer in mixed-income neighborhoods and would be quite pleased to see this being implemented here," she said. "You see, Langston was a man whose varied personal, professional, and educational experiences undergirded his desire and his drive to actualize justice.”
The first building in the complex will be called The Langston, and the new road will be named McKinney Street.
Former resident Monique Hill said after a serious medical issue, losing her job, and a divorce, she found a caring community.
“The neighbors showed me love. They encouraged me. They supported me," she said. "And I went from being a single mother that couldn't walk a to a young woman who was walking.”
All former residents like Hill have the right to move in to the new apartments when they open sometime in 2027.
