Rockabill Development and Johnson Park Center start construction on $28m affordable/supportive housing at Johnson Park Green Community Apartments

Utica, NY Rockabill Development and Johnson Park Center (JPC) said that construction is underway at Johnson Park Green Community Apartments, a $28 million climate-friendly development that will create 62 energy-efficient and affordable homes — including 31 with supportive services —  as well as a 12,000 s/f community center, in the Cornhill-Johnson Park neighborhood of the city.

Johnson Park Green Community Apartments are part of governor Hochul’s $25 billion comprehensive Housing Plan that will create or preserve 100,000 affordable homes across New York, including 10,000 with support services for vulnerable populations, plus the electrification of an additional 50,000 homes.

Designed to meet Passive House standards capable of reducing energy consumption by up to 80%, Johnson Park Green Community Apartments will serve as a model for high-performance multifamily housing and is part of a comprehensive better buildings strategy aimed at protecting vulnerable residents from the challenges of climate change.

Niall Murray, president & CEO, Rockabill Development, said, “We are incredibly proud of the public-private collaboration and integrated approach to community development that has gone into making Johnson Park Green Community Apartments a reality. The project’s rigorous focus on energy use and performance will help protect vulnerable residents during climate emergencies, and proves it is possible to build deeply affordable and supportive housing that is green, cost-effective, and replicable.”

Reverend Dr. Maria Scates of JPC said, “For over 27 years, JPC has led the revitalization of the Cornhill-Johnson Park neighborhood and served the community by providing housing and services to aid the homeless, the elderly, people with emotional or mental disabilities and those in various stages of recovery from substance abuse. We are proud to continue our service history by creating homes at the new Johnson Park Green Community Apartments and, in doing so, advance our goal of bringing the latest in eco-friendly, affordable low-income, and supportive housing to Utica.”

New York State Homes and Community Renewal commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas said, “Johnson Park Green Community Apartments will provide healthy, affordable, and secure homes for 62 households while also delivering a new community facility to benefit the entire Cornhill-Johnson Park neighborhood. This exceptional development also meets rigorous standards for energy efficiency that will improve quality of life for residents and help us achieve governor Hochul’s ambitious green construction and climate goals. Thank you to our partners in state government, Rockabill Development, and the Johnson Park Center for getting this life-changing project started.”

Located on several parcels owned by the Johnson Park Center, Johnson Park Green Community Apartments will consist of a three-story building featuring 51 one-bedroom apartments at 6 Johnson Park, and 11 two and three-bedroom apartments in duplex-style buildings at 200 Square St. and 14 Johnson Park. All apartments are affordable to households earning at or below 30% of the AMI.

Johnson Park Green Community Apartments includes 31 apartments with supportive services for frail elderly households and homeless individuals with a serious mental illness diagnosis. Supportive services will be provided by the Johnson Park Center, with operating funding being provided through the Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative and the State Department of Health.

In addition to the three residential buildings, the development of Johnson Park Green Community Apartments includes construction of a community center operated by the Johnson Park Center at 1415 West St. to house a food pantry and provide classroom space for both residents and the surrounding community.

Designed to meet Passive House standards and NYSERDA’s Buildings of Excellence program criteria, Johnson Park Green Community Apartments utilizes numerous energy-efficient features, including a solar photovoltaic system capable of meeting 100% of the development’s energy demand, with a goal of net-zero emissions.

Financing for Johnson Park Green Community Apartments includes $15 million in Federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credits and Solar Tax Credit Equity, and $3 million in subsidy from New York State Homes and Community Renewal. The New York State Office of Temporary Disability Assistance will provide  $5.6 million through its Homeless Housing and Assistance Program. NYSERDA is providing $1.2 million in incentives through its Buildings of Excellence and New Construction Housing programs. The City of Utica is providing $1.5 million in subsidy.

Chase provided a $16 million construction loan from Chase Community Development Banking. Hudson Housing Capital, the tax credit syndicator, and the Tax Oriented Investments unit of J.P. Morgan invested over $14.8 million in tax credit equity. The Community Foundation of Herkimer & Oneida Counties contributed $250,000.

Johnson Park Green Community Apartments is being co-developed by Rockabill Development and the Johnson Park Center.

New York State Energy Research and Development Authority president and CEO Doreen Harris said, “Advancing clean, resilient and affordable housing is a key component in New York’s economy-wide emissions reduction work. I am thrilled to see construction begin on the Johnson Park Green Community Apartments, which will provide its residents an opportunity to live in a net-zero energy building offering cleaner and more comfortable spaces in which to live, while setting an example for other building owners in the community.”

New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance commissioner Daniel Tietz said, “Supportive housing offers a safe and stabilizing environment for older New Yorkers and those with serious mental illness, notably those who’ve experienced homelessness. The Johnson Park Green Community Apartments will help to fill a critical need in Utica and provide a new beginning for members of the community facing or experiencing housing instability. Governor Hochul’s continued support for the Homeless Housing and Assistance Program is providing critical funding needed to help supportive housing projects like this one become a reality.”

Sharmi Sobhan, managing director, Chase Community Development Banking, said, “We’re pleased to support Rockabill, JCTOD Outreach Inc and the city of Utica with the development of Johnson Park Green Community Apartments. These high-quality, sustainable homes will be an indispensable asset for the community, increasing the local stock of affordable housing and transforming the lives of seniors and other residents with the addition of onsite supportive services.”

Blanca Ramirez, vice president, Hudson Housing Capital, said, “Hudson Housing Capital is excited to be partnering with Johnson Park Center and Rockabill Development in the development of the Johnson Park Green Community Apartments. We commend their efforts to serve the Utica community’s most vulnerable members through this unique development that will provide quality services, affordable and sustainable housing.”

The project will also include parking, a manager’s office, central community room, common space, storage rooms, laundry room, kitchenette, and rest rooms. The buildings are expected to receive certificates of occupancy in May 2024.

Johnson Park Green Community Apartments is within walking distance of grocery stores, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr Elementary School, restaurants, local community services, and the Roscoe Conkling Park.

In the last five years, New York State Homes and Community Renewal has invested over $85 million to create or preserve nearly 700 affordable apartments in multifamily buildings in the city of Utica including Olbiston Apartments and The Link at Sunset.