Governor Hochul Announces Start of Construction on the Redevelopment of the N.D. Peters Public Housing Complex in Utica

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced the start of construction on Parkway Gardens, a $33 million, 71-unit public housing redevelopment in the city of Utica. The project will replace three N.D. Peters Public Housing complex buildings with a new, modern building that enhances the surrounding neighborhood. Under Governor Hochul's leadership, New York State Homes and Community Renewal (HCR) has created or preserved more than 1,400 affordable homes in Oneida County. Parkway Gardens continues this effort and is part of Governor Hochul's $25 billion five-year Housing Plan, which is on track to create or preserve 100,000 affordable homes statewide.

"Significant investments in housing, healthcare and other industries continue to strengthen Utica and lay the groundwork for its future," Governor Hochul said. "Parkway Gardens is another example of how we are investing in the future of Utica and making it a place where people want to live and raise their families. This adds to our commitment to providing safe, affordable and sustainable housing for all New Yorkers."

Parkway Gardens is developed by Vecino and People First, formerly the Utica Municipal Housing Authority. The project will include the demolition of three outdated buildings containing 28 apartments within the Housing Authority's N.D. Peters complex, which was built in the 1960s. The demolished buildings will be replaced with a new three-story building containing 71 apartments. All tenants of the demolished N.D. Peters buildings have been relocated to other People First developments and will be guaranteed new apartments in Parkway Gardens at no additional monthly cost.

The new apartments will be affordable to households earning up to 80 percent of the Area Median Income. There will be eight units to accommodate individuals with mobility disabilities and three units to accommodate residents with sensory disabilities. The all-electric building will feature Energy Star appliances, water-conserving plumbing, high-efficiency heating and air conditioning systems, and Energy Recovery Ventilators that improve air quality within each unit.

Parkway Gardens will provide a mix of one-, two-, three-, and four-bedroom units. The building is located near schools, public transportation to downtown Utica, Proctor Park, and Starch Factory Creek and its trail system. New pedestrian paths will connect grounds with the surrounding neighborhood and park system.

Financing for Parkway Gardens includes a mix of public and private sources, including Federal and State Low-Income Housing Tax Credits from HCR that are expected to generate more than $16.8 million in equity and $9.2 million in HCR subsidy. The city of Utica will provide $1 million from its HOME program and People First will provide $800,000. The project is also supported by $2 million from the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York's Affordable Housing Program. There will be 28 units of project-based rental assistance which will be provided by People First.

New York State Homes and Community Renewal Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas said, "This $33 million investment will transform 28 apartments into more than 70 units of affordable public housing. This project is a great example of Governor Hochul's housing agenda, which is investing in dignity and opportunity so that residents have more than a roof overhead-they have access to everything communities have to offer. Thank you to our partners People First and Vecino for their dedication to the community."

Senator Chuck Schumer said, "Every family in Utica deserves a safe and affordable place to call home. I'm proud that the federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit I've fought tirelessly to preserve and expand has delivered millions to build more than 70 new, all-electric apartments at Parkway Gardens. High housing costs are a key driver of inflation, so we must build more housing for working people to bring down those high prices. I commend Governor Hochul for investing to create and preserve affordable housing in the Mohawk Valley, and I will continue working to secure the federal resources needed to support these efforts and the New Yorkers who depend on them."

Representative John Mannion said, "Utica needs more quality, affordable housing, and the new Parkway Gardens project is a win for the community that will deliver 71 modern homes while strengthening the surrounding neighborhood. It's also why I supported the bipartisan 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, which will help build and repair more homes, cut red tape, invest in infrastructure, and keep single-family homes within reach for working families. I commend Governor Hochul for her leadership in creating and preserving 100,000 affordable homes across New York and continuing to invest in Utica and Oneida County."

State Senator Joseph A. Griffo said, "Today's groundbreaking marks an important milestone for the Parkway Gardens project. Once complete, this development will provide area residents with more access to safe, modern, and affordable housing."

Assemblymember Marianne Buttenschon said, "So many of us call the Mohawk Valley home, and this groundbreaking represents a meaningful investment in our future. I would like to extend my appreciation for the efforts and partnership of the New York State Office of Homes & Community Renewal, the Governor's Office, and People First on this transformative project, which will provide city residents with much-needed affordable and modernized housing for our community. I look forward to seeing this project come to life and to a stronger Mohawk Valley ahead."

Oneida County Executive Anthony J. Picente Jr. said, "Parkway Gardens is a tremendous investment in Utica's future, replacing outdated housing with new, high-quality and affordable homes in a location that gives residents access to schools, higher education, parks, trails and other community amenities. This project is exactly the kind of investment we need to strengthen our neighborhoods, expand housing opportunities and improve quality of life for families. I commend Vecino Group and People First for bringing this project forward and look forward to seeing Parkway Gardens become a valuable new addition to our community."

City of Utica Mayor Michael Galime said, "The Parkway Gardens development will create a new neighborhood of affordable homes within People First's growing portfolio of modern residences. The commitment to affordable homes which families can thrive and grow is clear in the mission of People First, an essential component within the housing options of our city."

Vecino Chairman Rick Manzardo said, "Our team at Vecino is inspired by People First's passion and dedication to their residents, and we're honored to be working on Parkway Gardens. Knowing how important these particular homes have been to Uticans for decades, together we'll ensure there's housing for many decades to come."

People First Executive Director Robert Calli said, "The generational opportunity to transform decades-old public housing units into Parkway Gardens enhances the living environment and quality of life of the people that People First has the privilege to serve."

Governor Hochul's Housing Agenda

Governor Hochul is dedicated to addressing New York's housing crisis and making the State more affordable and livable for all New Yorkers. Since FY23, the Governor has worked to increase housing supply to make housing more affordable by launching a $25 billion five-year comprehensive Housing Plan, enacted the most significant housing deal in decades and implemented new protections for renters and homeowners. Under Governor Hochul's leadership, HCR has created new programs that jumpstart development of affordable and mixed-income homes - for both renters and homebuyers. These include the Pro-Housing Community Program, which allows certified localities exclusive access to up to $750 million in discretionary State funding. More than 450 communities throughout the state have been certified Pro-Housing, including the city of Utica.

As part of FY27 Budget, Governor Hochul secured a number of landmark reforms to New York's State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA) to speed up housing and infrastructure development and lower costs as part of her "Let Them Build" agenda. "Let Them Build" also includes executive actions to expedite critical categories of projects that have been consistently found to not have significant environmental impacts, but for too long have been caught up in red tape and subject to lengthy delays.

The FY27 Executive Budget completes the Governor's current five-year Housing Plan to create or preserve 100,000 affordable homes statewide, including 10,000 with support services for vulnerable populations plus the electrification of an additional 50,000 homes. More than 87,000 affordable homes have been created or preserved to date. The Executive Budget also invests $250 million in capital funding to accelerate the construction of thousands of new affordable homes.