Herkimer Housing Authority, now Stone Ridge Residences, completes first phase of project – The Times Telegram

The Herkimer Housing Authority is now Stone Ridge Residences and a ribbon-cutting ceremony Wednesday morning celebrated both the rebrand and the completion of the $22 million remodeling and construction project.

The project included the remodeling of all of the apartments at Eastern Gardens, now called The Mills; construction of a new 15-unit apartment building on Harter Street; and a child care center, Stone Ridge Daycare, on John Avenue, according to Stone Ridge Residences Executive Director Richard Dowe.

Mohawk Valley Community Action Agency runs the child care center, which can take up to 53 children. The space at both Eastern Gardens and Creekside Courts that was formerly used for child care has been turned back to the residents for community space, Dowe added.

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The authority also has a new website, http://www.StoneRidgeResidences.com.

For Holly Warner, a former resident of Creekside Courts who moved into the new building in July, her new first-floor apartment offers a chance to live on one level a welcome feature since she has difficulty negotiating stairs. Warner opened her apartment to visitors following Wednesdays ribbon cutting.

Warners apartment, like the others in the building, features a kitchen and living room area and a hallway leading to one or two bedrooms, bathroom and closet storage space.

Some apartments offer lower countertops and stoves with space to roll a wheelchair underneath, said Dowe. Others include louder doorbells and strobe lights to accommodate those with impaired vision or hearing.

The authority currently holds 216 apartments across its properties with 52 Section 8 vouchers for low-income residents. The recently completed project is not the end of the improvements Stone Ridge Residences will be making to its facilities.

The second phase will include the remodeling of all of the apartments at Creekside Courts, renamed Stone Ridge Orchards, on Protection Avenue and of Midtown Apartments, now Stone Ridge Gems, on North Prospect Street, where some apartments will be changed from studio to one-bedroom units. The Nathan Castle Apartments, housed in the former Tuger Elementary School on South Main Street, will be totally rehabilitated. The housing authority acquired the facility last year and there will be 16 apartments available there.

This phase of the project will also include the construction of new 24-unit apartment building, Stone Ridge Flatts, at 250 E. Steele St. The dilapidated former bottling plant at the corner of East Steele and King streets will be razed and the space converted into a parking lot for the new building.

Dowe said the authority is working with the county and village to take title to the old bottling plant building. He expects work on the second phase of the project to begin late this year.

Darren J. Scott, director of development, Eastern New York, for New York State Homes and Community Renewal, said bundling the various parts of the project's second phase together into a single financial deal is an efficient way to move ahead with the plan.

The first phase has resulted in 63 new energy-efficient homes, he said. He praised local officials for approving a payment in lieu of taxes (PILOT) agreement for the project. "Affordable housing needs a PILOT," he said.

Herkimer Mayor Mark Netti said he first became aware of the project the authority was planning shortly after taking office and was impressed with the comprehensive plan. He said he looks forward to working with Stone Ridge Residences on the remainder of the project.

"I love to see resources returned," said Assemblyman Robert Smullen,R-Meco. "This is our money coming back to our community."

"This is part of the rebirth of the valley," said Assemblyman Brian Miller, R-New Hartford.

Donna Thompson is the government and business reporter for the Times Telegram. Email her at donna@timestelegram.com.

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Herkimer Housing Authority, now Stone Ridge Residences, completes first phase of project - The Times Telegram