Governor Kathy Hochul on Wednesday announced the start of construction on East Adams Phase I, a $102 million affordable and mixed-income housing development that will bring 132 new homes to Syracuse. The project is the first phase of the East Adams Neighborhood Transformation Plan, a large-scale redevelopment led by the Syracuse Housing Authority.
East Adams Phase I replaces the former McKinney Manor public housing complex, which faced more than $17 million in deferred maintenance. The site will be redeveloped into six new residential buildings—two mid-rise apartment buildings and four townhome buildings. Of the 132 apartments planned, 117 will be affordable to households earning up to 60% of the Area Median Income, and 63 units will receive Section 8 Project-Based Voucher support. Residents displaced during construction will have a guaranteed right to return under federal relocation rules.
“East Adams Phase I is the start of a new chapter for a neighborhood that was torn apart decades ago by the construction of the I-81 viaduct,” Governor Hochul said. “Today, we are committing to a future where families have high-quality homes, where historic injustices are addressed with meaningful investment and where Syracuse continues to grow as a vibrant, equitable and affordable community. These 132 new homes reflect our mission to expand housing opportunities across New York and uplift communities that have long deserved this kind of transformative investment.”
The development will be all-electric and energy-efficient, featuring geothermal heating, high-performance windows, and modern building systems designed to reduce energy use. Outdoor amenities will include landscaped green spaces, seating areas, playgrounds, private terraces, and walkable connections. Indoor features will include a community room, fitness center, lounge, business incubator space, indoor bike storage, and on-site management offices. Several units will be fully accessible for residents with mobility, hearing, or visual impairments.
The broader East Adams Neighborhood Transformation Plan spans 118 acres and 27 city blocks. Over 11 phases, it is expected to build or preserve about 1,500 homes across Syracuse Housing Authority properties. The redevelopment is closely tied to the state’s plan to remove the elevated Interstate 81 viaduct, replacing it with a street-level boulevard intended to reconnect the neighborhood with downtown Syracuse.
Financing for Phase I includes State and Federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credits generating $42 million in equity, along with $45 million in subsidies from New York State Homes and Community Renewal. Empire State Development is contributing an $8 million loan, while the Syracuse Housing Authority and City of Syracuse are providing $2.1 million from a HUD grant and $500,000 in city bond funds. Onondaga County provided $400,000 in predevelopment funding for infrastructure design.
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