MAYOR PALMIERI & LIBERTY AFFORDABLE HOUSING ANNOUNCE REDEVELOPMENT OF THE OLBISTON

Executive Director Randy Denton today announced Liberty has purchased, and will redevelop, the Olbiston Apartment building

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MAYOR PALMIERI & LIBERTY AFFORDABLE HOUSING ANNOUNCE REDEVELOPMENT OF THE OLBISTON

Utica Mayor Robert Palmieri and Liberty Affordable Housing (Liberty) Executive Director Randy Denton today announced Liberty has purchased, and will redevelop, the Olbiston Apartment building located at 1431 Genesee Street.

Earlier this year, the city posted and shut down the Olbiston due to gross negligence of the property owner. This city’s decision stemmed from the owner’s refusal to address several code violations, despite the fact the city granted every opportunity to comply. The condition of the building became deplorable and uninhabitable for the tenants who resided in the building. As such, the city partnered with Oneida County, and over a dozen organizations, to successfully relocate Olbiston tenants.

Over the past several months, the city worked collaboratively with Liberty, a local and reputable housing development company, to explore opportunities in hopes of restoring the building. Yesterday, December 22nd, Liberty officially purchased the Olbiston and plans on investing approximately $55 million to redevelop the building. The project will reestablish 153 affordable housing units.

In recognizing the need of affordable housing, in October of 2021, Mayor Palmieri announced Phase II projects for the Utica Prosperity Initiative, which set aside funding to support affordable housing projects. As preservation and redevelopment of the Olbiston, as well as increasing affordable housing in the city is a top Administration priority, the city allocated $3 million from the Utica Prosperity Initiative in support of Liberty’s project. The $3 million city investment consists of funding from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).

Immediate work to secure the roof will take in the near future. The project is scheduled to begin in the spring (2022) with construction expected to take 24 months.

Mayor Palmieri stated, “This is a major announcement and an exciting day for the City of Utica. Similar to the former Roosevelt School, this is yet another example of the Administration working with local developers to transform dilapidated eye sores into community assets. The city is thrilled to work with Liberty on this important initiative as it will greatly improve the neighborhood and the quality of life for hundreds of Utica residents.”

Mayor Palmieri continued, “Liberty Affordable Housing has been a great company to work with, and I commend and thank Randy Denton for his outstanding leadership.”

Liberty Affordable Housing Executive Director Randy Denton stated, “Liberty Affordable Housing is honored and excited to work alongside Mayor Palmieri and the City of Utica in support of their Housing Initiatives with the reclamation and restoration of one of the city's most prominent historic properties. As a local company, and not-for-profit housing developer, the Olbiston Apartments has special meaning for us and our mission to preserve affordable housing and revitalize neighborhoods and communities through our efforts."