"Officials outline housing redevelopment initiative"

UTICA — Residents in Utica will soon be able to see more options for high-quality, affordable housing.

People First, formerly known as Utica Municipal Housing Authority, has announced the redevelopment of Chancellor Apartments at 417 Bleecker St. and the vacant building at 700 Broad St. as a part of its IMPACT Utica redevelopment initiative.

The initiative, agency officials said, will address the needs of Utica’s more vulnerable residents who rely on affordable housing and to provide them with a more sustainable way of living.

“Our mission is quite simple, enhance the quality of life of the people that we serve within this community and we do that one person at a time,” said Robert Calli, executive director of People First.

“You should never be able to distinguish between affordable housing and market-rate housing. Socioeconomic status should not play a role in determining the type of housing that one should live in from my perspective.” he added.

During redevelopment, residents who currently reside in Chancellor Apartments will meet with People First to create a relocation plan that works best for the residents and meets their needs, should they choose to relocate during redevelopment. Residents who relocate will also be able to return to the apartment complex in the same unit they resided in upon the redevelopment’s completion.

Chancellor Apartments currently has 89 1-bedroom units and four 2-bedroom units for senior and disabled residents, which will remain the same upon its restoration. The vacant building at 700 Broad St. will have 50 units for senior and disabled residents and 24 units for at-risk youth, for a total of 74 units. Approximately six of the 74 units will be 2-bedroom units. People First is also looking at options for social amenities within the apartment complexes, such as computer centers, water fixtures and fire pits.

“If we can’t live there, it ain’t gonna be built and that’s the standard that our residents deserve,” Calli said.

Redevelopment of both properties are scheduled to begin simultaneously in the first quarter of 2023 and should take anywhere from 14 to 20 months to complete.

For more information about People First, visit: peoplefirstny.org.