Hillside View Apartments

Organization Name: The Community Builders, Inc.

Project Title: Hillside View Apartments

Project Location: Schenectady, NY (Scattered Sites)

Project Description:
Hillside View is a $22 million redevelopment of 12 properties in the Hamilton Hill neighborhood of Schenectady, NY. The effort resulted in 58 units of housing in 8 buildings, including a mix of substantial rehab, new construction and commercial construction. Fifteen percent of the units target homeless households, and 25 units are dedicated for seniors. Two of the buildings, 602 and 400 Craig Street, are historic schools. Complementing the school conversions, TCB addressed the blighting effect of abandoned houses along Stanley and Emmett Streets. Three of the existing 2-family houses were rehabilitated, while others were demolished and replaced with new structures. The development has onsite property management and amenities include onsite laundry rooms, community rooms, discounted internet access, onsite parking and an outdoor play area. Hillside View also has a Community Service Facility in the 400 Craig Street converted school building. The Electric City Barn has taken residence in the Community Service Facility to provide metal working, woodworking, digital arts and other creative classes and events for area residents. Residents will pay on a sliding scale based on their income to ensure that membership is accessible to all.

Community Impact:
For decades the Hamilton Hill neighborhood has experienced disinvestment resulting in blight and disintegration. For over 6 years TCB has been working in the neighborhood with partners to coordinate investment in Hamilton Hill and adjacent neighborhoods. This investment includes 2 new state of the art libraries, a new Boys and Girls Clubs facility, the Joseph Allen Apartments of affordable housing and a new Complete Streets Study on Craig Street where Hillside View is located. Hillside View is part of this coordinated effort to provide quality affordable housing and a Maker Space (Community Service Facility), programmed by the Electric City Barn, that allows for residents of all walks of life to learn skills and to find a positive outlet for their creative expression. The redevelopment of Hillside View has formalized partnerships with Capital Roots, providing fresh foods in an otherwise food desert; Schenectady Community Action Program, providing services to our residents and larger community; Electric City Barn, providing job training/skills opportunities; and the Boys & Girls Club of Schenectady, providing youth engagement and recreation.

Organization Description:
TCB is a 501(c)(3) non-profit housing organization with more than 50 years affordable housing development and management experience. As a leading non-profit housing developer, we have developed or preserved over 25,000 units of affordable and mixed-income housing and currently manage over 11,000 apartments in fourteen states and the District of Columbia. TCB has had a strong and growing presence in the capital city of Albany with residential developments in Cohoes, Albany, Schenectady and an award winning development in TroyTapestry on the Hudson.

Team Members:

Dave Sadowsky Architect
U.W. Marx
Cannon, Heyman and Weiss LLP
NYS HCR
NYSERDA
NYS OTDA
Schenectady Metroplex
City of Schenectady
Schenectady Community Action Program
Capital Roots
Electric City Barn