Omni Housing Development and The Wesley Community continue $18 million rehab of the Embury Apartments

Mayor Scott Johnson and NYS Division of Housing and Community Renewal commissioner Deborah VanAmerongen along with a representative of governor David Paterson and state legislators joined Duncan Barrett, COO, Omni Housing Development LLC and Brian Nealon, CEO of The Wesley Community in sledge hammering a wall to continue the $18 million rehabilitation of Embury Apartments on April 7. Embury Apartments, Inc., the non-profit group who has been the owner and property manager of the site since originally constructed on the campus of The Wesley Community over 35 years ago, along with current co-developer Omni Housing Development LLC anticipates completion of the project by summer 2010. After the "Wall Demolition Ceremony," officials toured existing, gutted and rehabilitated units to see the buildings' transformation. Embury's twin, 14-story towers helped to redefine housing opportunities for area seniors when they were completed in 1972. Originally conceived by the founders of the Saratoga Retirement Center, the forerunner to the modern-day Wesley Community, the Embury towers offered subsidized, independent living for active seniors aged 62 and older. One year later, the towers were joined by the addition of the Wesley Nursing Home to provide Embury residents easy access to health care services and social activities. Today, the apartment towers and its residents are part of the broader Wesley Community, a 36-acre not-for-profit agency, which serves the needs of the elderly, active seniors, adults and pediatrics. Residency is for those seniors with incomes restricted and regulated under the NYS Mitchell Lama Program as well as HUD's Sec.236 Interest Reduction and Rent Supplement Programs. Although the apartment complex has been well maintained and managed, its original design and age have resulted in escalating utility and maintenance costs, which now exceed the restricted and regulated rent revenue. Embury's two towers, which are connected by a community building, require rehabilitation and regulatory restructuring. The renovation will enable Embury to operate cost effectively and allow rents to remain affordable. Residents of the current 208 apartments will be relocated within the complex as a few floors at a time are rehabilitated. At the conclusion of the work the total number of units will be reduced to 192 with as many as 16 two-bedroom units available for the first time, replacing 32 studio dwellings. Each apartment will feature Energy Star appliances. The rehabilitation will address fire safety, environmental hazards, energy conservation, dated and obsolete systems and standards set by the Americans with Disabilities Act, including converting several units to better serve the handicapped. To remedy these conditions, the revitalization will include: removal of the asbestos flooring, replacement of all windows and insulation of the inside of all exterior walls and installation of handrails as well as ADA compliant bathrooms in the public areas. CK Dennis Architects will be providing design, architecture and engineering services for the project. Omni Housing Development will lead development and construction management and MLB Construction Services, LLC is the general contractor. Embury Apartments, Inc. will provide property management services. Financing for the $18 million rehabilitation project is provided by the NYS Division of Housing and Community Renewal Low Income Housing Tax Credit Program, Embury Apartments, Inc., Community Preservation Corp., M&T Bank, Hudson Housing Capital and grants from the NYS Energy Research and Development Authority. Since 2001, Omni Housing Development has specialized in the development, financing, construction, and management of affordable housing, collaborating on dozens of community and private projects from 96 senior housing units in New York's Capital District to 154 apartments in Rockville Centre, Long Island. Omni Housing Development with affiliated companies Omni Development Company, Inc., and Omni Management Group Ltd., provide project feasibility and market analysis, project finance including loan, tax credit and grant application and processing, financial and land use planning and analysis, design/build and facility management. Omni Housing Development LLC's headquarters are in downtown Albany, New York at 40 Beaver St. The Wesley Community is a 36-acre, not-for-profit agency. Sponsored by United Methodist Health and Housing, Inc., The Wesley Community's continuum of care community provides independent and assistive living for seniors, subsidized independent senior housing, adult day services, short-term rehabilitation and long-term care, as well as outpatient therapies, which are available for all ages.