By Mike Murphy mmurphy@messengerpostmedia.com

Posted May 24, 2018 at 8:14 PMUpdated May 24, 2018 at 8:14 PM

  

The affordable housing development in Farmington could see occupants as early as autumn

 

FARMINGTON — The initial stages of the Beaver Creek Apartments project, which kicked off Thursday with a ceremonial wall raising, dates back five or six years ago.

Planning and approvals began picking up steam two years ago.

And going way back, the neighboring Farmington Gardens project, an 88-unit affordable senior housing project also developed by Home Leasing Corp., got its start with the sale of the property here 20 years ago.

But what’s ahead — perhaps as soon the fall — is the first occupancy of the $22 million affordable housing development off Route 332, according to Nelson Leenhouts, chairman and CEO of Home Leasing Corp.

“I think we’re really cooking,” Leenhouts said.

In all, 13 residential buildings — with a total of 104 affordable homes — are part of the Beaver Creek project at the 15-acre site, with the goal of completing all of the work by year’s end, Leenhouts said.

The project is expected to serve families with 32 one-bedroom, 40 two-bedroom and 32 three-bedroom apartments, with children expected to attend Victor schools.

Ninety-seven of the apartments will be available to households earning between 60 percent and 90 percent of the area’s median income.

All of the buildings will be Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant, and have balconies or patios and laundry facilities. A separate community center will house a kitchen, multi-purpose room and exercise room for tenants.

“I’m very proud of what we’re doing,” Leenhouts said.

Farmington Supervisor Peter Ingalsbe said Home Leasing has met with residents and addressed their concerns, which makes the project a better one.

The project also addresses an affordable housing gap not just in Farmington, but also in other communities, Ingalsbe said.

“We see this as a great addition,” Ingalsbe said.

The project is a “prime example” of Finger Lakes Forward, a $500 million state initiative in strengthening upstate communities and their economies, said Leonard Skrill, upstate director of development for New York State Housing and Community Renewal.

The agency provided $16.3 million in financing for the project in the form of tax-exempt bonds and subsidy loans. The support is intended to complement Finger Lakes Forward by providing workforce housing in an area experiencing economic growth and in a high-performing school district, according to the state.

Many aspects of the project — from amenities to the people it will serve — will contribute to a great neighborhood vibe, according to Charlie Oster, director of development for Edgemere Development, which also is involved in the project.

“I love this project,” Oster said. “It’s hard not to.”

By the numbers

$22M The cost to build the Beaver Creek Apartments, off Route 332 on Mercier Boulevard in Farmington

13 The number of residential buildings that will be in Beaver Creek

104 The number of affordable homes as part of the project

97 The number of apartments that will be available to households earning between 60 percent and 90 percent of the area median income