Governor Kathy Hochul announced today that major rehabilitation work has begun at the former Buffalo Public School 78 to transform the vacant building into 46 affordable apartments and space for community programs and services. The $19 million Olympic Avenue apartments will be highly energy efficient and provide residents with free Wi-Fi and tech assistance as part of the state’s efforts to bridge the divide digital.

“We will continue to address the housing crisis with projects like this that build high-quality affordable housing, improve the lives of residents and strengthen neighborhoods,” Governor Hochul said. “Our investments in the suSustainable redevelopment of vacant and underutilized historic buildings across the state continues to complement the well-planned revitalization and growth of cities like Buffalo. All New Yorkers deserve to live in healthy, affordable, and vibrant communities, and we will continue to take bold steps to address the housing crisis and make the Empire State a more affordable place for everyone.”

Olympic Avenue Apartments is part of Governor Hochul’s sweeping plans to make housing more affordable, equitable and stable. This year, the state is on track to meet its current housing plan goal of creating and preserving 100,000 affordable housing units and has already surpassed the goal of creating 6,000 supportive housing units. Governor Hochul is building on this successful effort with a proposal for a new five-year, $25 billion housing plan that will create and preserve 100,000 more affordable housing units in New York City, including 10,000 with supportive services.

Built in 1927, PS 78 is listed on the State and National Registers of Historic Places and recently housed a Montessori school. The City of Buffalo chose CDS Monarch to redevelop the building into affordable housing. The school auditorium will become a community center where local nonprofit organizations will provide services and programs for residents, surrounding neighborhoods and community members.

The major rehabilitation of PS 78 will create 43 one-bedroom apartments and three two-bedroom apartments. Eight apartments will be reserved and specially built to accommodate people with physical disabilities. All apartments will be affordable for households with an income equal to or less than 60% of the region’s median income.

Essential works include the installation of a new roof with green features, new mechanical, electrical, plumbing and fire alarm systems, new furnaces with cooling coils and split system condensing units located on the roof , as well as energy-efficient doors, windows and storm windows throughout. Planned works for the 1.8 acre site include the addition of new sidewalks, a storm drainage system, site lighting, a new playground and native landscaping, and a garden community.

Each apartment will be equipped with all Energy Star or equivalent appliances, energy efficient lighting and water efficient plumbing fixtures. The development will provide free Wi-Fi, offering each resident a single Wi-Fi network, available in their apartment as well as anywhere in the building, as well as 24/7 on-call IT management services /7.

Additional amenities include a community room with a kitchen, computer room and exercise rooms, storage space and laundry facilities on the first and third floors. There will also be a dedicated terrace with benches and picnic tables for outdoor gatherings.

State funding for Olympic Avenue apartments includes low-income housing tax credits that will generate $9.6 million in equity and $2.4 million in grants from New York State Homes and Community Renewal. The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation has allocated federal and state historic tax credits that will generate $5.4 million in equity. Empire State Development received $500,000 from the Better Buffalo Fund and the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority will provide $46,000 in support.

Housing and Community Renewal Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas said“The $19 million conversion of historic PS 78 into a green, digitally connected community will create the kind of safe, secure, good quality and affordable housing that all New Yorkers need and deserve. Carefully rehabilitating the long vacant school, we are restoring their rightful place as a community asset that will once again serve East Side residents.Over the past decade, the state has invested more than $300 million dollars to Buffalo to build and preserve affordable housing that helps the city rebuild, strengthen and prosper Thanks to CDS Monarch and our state and city partners, this building will be remembered by future generations. as if they were at home.”

State Parks Commissioner Erik Kulleseid said“This former public school played an important role in the growth of this Buffalo neighborhood during the 20th century before ceasing operations in 2008. As part of our mission here at Parks to protect and preserve the historic heritage of the state, our agency listed this property on the National Register of Historic Places in 2019, and a year later it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places, making it eligible for historic tax credits that support this project. This work will make this historic building once again an asset to this community.”

NYSERDA Chairman and CEO Doreen M. Harris said, “NYSERDA is proud to support the transformation of this historic building into affordable housing that features energy efficiency, sustainable design and will benefit residents with improved comfort and livability, while providing on-site services. The adaptive reuse of this structure , combined with new appliances and lighting that can lower energy bills and generate savings that add up over time, helps create a stronger, healthier community and ensures that all New Yorkers benefit from our transition to clean energy.

Hope Knight, acting Empire State Development Commissioner and President and CEO designate, said“The reimagining of the former Buffalo Public School 78 as affordable apartments and community space will breathe new life into a historic building and encourage density and economic development along an important urban corridor. The continued support of the Better Buffalo Fund to projects such as the Olympic Avenue development is crucial for the renewal of residential and commercial areas that leverages private investment and transforms communities.”

Andrew Sewnauth, President and COO of CDS Life Transitions, said: “The Olympic Avenue Apartments project is an exciting opportunity to further our mission to provide affordable housing across New York State. High-quality, safe, and affordable housing is a human right, and CDS Monarch is grateful to authorities state and local governments for their support in ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to live their best life in their own community without worry.We look forward to a bright future here in Buffalo and are excited about the opportunities to serve more people in this community and throughout the state.

Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz said, “Projects like this help stabilize neighborhoods and build stronger communities. Not only will the former PS 78 be given new life as bustling and much-needed affordable housing, but the greatly improved campus will be an effective addition. and attractive to Olympic Ave. This project is a big win for the neighborhood and for Buffalo.

Buffalo Mayor Byron W. Brown said, “This is another step forward in increasing the availability of affordable housing in the City of Buffalo and a tremendous reuse of another disused former Buffalo Public School,” said the Mayor. Byron W. Brown. “I thank Governor Hochul, our state legislators and New York State Homes and Community Renewal for making another affordable housing project possible, and CDS Monarch for investing here in the city of Buffalo.”

NYS Assembly Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes said, “The start of construction on the former PS 78 building, which will be redeveloped into 46 affordable apartments on Buffalo’s Eastside, is an excellent use of New York State Homes and Community Renewal resources to help revitalize our community. I applaud Governor Kathy Hochul, CDS Monarch Development, and all of the other community stakeholders, whose leadership has helped make this project a reality.”

State Senator Tim Kennedy noted“The extensive reuse and transformation of PS 78 is another example of New York’s commitment to supporting affordable housing opportunities statewide. By investing in sustainable, accessible projects like this, we are preserving no only a piece of Buffalo’s past, but we’re creating a community-centric space that residents can call home for years to come.”