A $35 million affordable and supportive housing project has been completed in downtown Rochester, city and state officials announced. The Alta Vista development, located next to St. Joseph’s Park, includes 76 apartments and is part of Rochester’s $10 million Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) award.
The six-story building sits on four vacant lots along Franklin, Pleasant, and Andrews streets within the city’s DRI target area. It features 73 one- to two-bedroom apartments, three two-bedroom townhouse-style units, and commercial space that will be used by The Landmark Society of Western New York for public events and private functions tied to the park. Part of the building’s exterior incorporates stone and archways reflecting the preserved walls of the historic St. Joseph’s Church.
All apartments are affordable for households earning at or below 70 percent of the Area Median Income. Fourteen units include on-site supportive services for individuals and families experiencing homelessness, provided by the YWCA of Rochester and Monroe County. The development also includes eight units accessible for people with mobility disabilities and four units designed for residents with hearing or vision impairments.
The all-electric building features a rooftop solar array and is expected to meet Passive House Certification and ENERGY STAR standards. Residents will have access to free high-speed internet, a community room with kitchen, lounges, on-site parking, storage, an outdoor patio, and an indoor children’s play area.
The project was developed by Ibero-American Development Corporation, with Edgemere Development, Inc. serving as consulting developer. Funding came from multiple sources, including $16.5 million in federal and state Low Income Housing Tax Credits, nearly $11.8 million in HCR capital subsidies, $1.4 million in DRI funds, and additional support from the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance, the Clean Energy Initiative, NYSERDA, the Community Preservation Corporation, and the city of Rochester.
Alta Vista is part of a larger effort in Rochester to expand affordable and supportive housing. Similar projects, including the Gateway Apartments, are underway to bring more affordable units downtown while preserving historic structures.
