South Utica housing project presses ahead – Utica Observer Dispatch

The former Sunset School in Utica is nothing more than a pile of rubble.

Excavators and other heavy machinery were moving piles of dirt and debris earlier this week. Due to the warmer than usual weather and clear skies earlier this month, the demolition is ahead of schedule, said Louis Tehan, interim executive director of the Kelberman Center.

The Kelberman Center intends to build a four-story, 60-unit apartment building, which has drawn criticism from nearby residents. Signs in the yards of some homes adjacent to Sunset Avenue in South Utica implore the Kelberman Center to build the development smaller.

Dubbed The Link at Sunset, the apartment complex includes 48 units of market-rate housing and 12 units reserved for individuals with autism spectrum disorders. Demolition of the former school at 2507-2513 Sunset Ave. began last December.

Theres been less dust during the demolition due to the cold temperatures, but the building still was sprayed with water as the structure was brought down, Tehan said. With crews expected to complete debris removal by the end of the month, the next step will depend on the weather.

Tehan said its unlikely any construction work will get underway at the site as its too cold for concrete work. Its more likely contractors will pick up the work in April once temperatures begin to warm up, he said.

The Kelberman Center and its contractors hold a construction meeting every Friday, Tehan said.

The transition from demolition to construction should be seamless from an administrative standpoint. Daniel Cozza, the citys chief building inspector, said the Kelberman Centers building permit for the site covered both the tear down and new build in December.

The citys planning board approved the site plan for the Sunset project at its May 17, 2018 meeting, but it garnered attention when Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced $5.2 million in state funds for the project last May. Cuomos announcement highlighted the project, which will include an on-site service office for the Kelberman Center.

South Utica residents concerned with the Kelberman Centers project turned out to several Common Council meetings earlier this year. About 48 residents came to the June 5 Common Council meeting and expressed concern about having 60 units on the 1.4-acre lot.

Changing of the guard

Tehan, the CEO of Upstate Caring Partners, is serving as interim executive director of the Kelberman Center after Dr. Robert Myers stepped away from the position. Upstate Caring Partners is the parent corporation of the Kelberman Center and Upstate Cerebral Palsy.

Tehan, who took over the role Jan. 1, said Myers left the position to focus on consulting work and teaching at Syracuse University. Tehan did not elaborate on the reason behind Myers departure, but cited the grind of the position, including a commute from Syracuse.

Myers and Dr. Michael Kelbermans names appeared on a letter circulated in the weeks prior to the November 2019 elections, which urged recipients to vote for three local political candidates Utica Mayor Robert Palmieri, Oneida County Executive Anthony Picente Jr. and Utica Common Council President Michael Galime. Myers and Kelberman denied approving the distribution of the letter or granting permission to use their signatures on the letter, which may have violated federal and state laws prohibiting nonprofits from endorsing political candidates.

The Kelberman Center then issued a statement alleging the letter was sent by Upstate Cerebral Palsy, its sister organization.

Contact reporter Steve Howe at 315-792-5015 or follow him on Twitter (@OD_Howe).

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South Utica housing project presses ahead - Utica Observer Dispatch