News Summary
Parkside Commons, a housing complex in Syracuse, is set for significant redevelopment aimed at addressing crime and poverty. Plans include nearly 200 new affordable apartments, renovations to existing units, and the demolition of deteriorated buildings. The project seeks government funding and regulatory approvals to create a safer community environment. With enhanced security measures and improved living conditions, Parkside Commons Ventures is focused on transforming the area while serving its current residents.
Syracuse is set to undergo a major transformation with the redevelopment of Parkside Commons, a housing complex that has struggled with crime and deteriorating conditions. The owners of Parkside Commons are planning to build nearly 200 new affordable apartments across from the current complex, while also renovating 200 existing units and demolishing four severely deteriorated buildings.
This ambitious project is currently in the early planning stages and will require millions in government funding and regulatory approvals before it can move forward. The aim of the redevelopment is to address long-standing issues related to crime and poverty within the 10-building campus, potentially providing a safer and more stable living environment for its residents.
The rehabilitation effort is being led by Parkside Commons Ventures LLC, a partnership between two affordable housing companies based in Brooklyn and Baltimore. Currently, Parkside Commons serves as rent-subsidized housing for over 900 residents, many of whom are families with children.
Security has been a significant concern at the site, with recent incidents of violence, including two homicides and a large drug bust reported in May. This has highlighted the necessity for improvement in community safety. The redevelopment plans include a mix of market-rate and workforce housing that aims to attract a more diverse demographic and enhance the overall safety and quality of life in the area.
If the plan comes to fruition, renovations are anticipated to start in the first half of 2026, following the expected closure of financing in spring 2025. Proposed renovations will feature enhanced security measures, new roofs, improved interior finishes, and upgrades to plumbing and mechanical systems, along with improved landscaping.
During the renovation process, it is possible that some tenants may need to be temporarily relocated. The planned new construction will consist of a five-story mixed-use building comprising 143 units and a four-story building featuring 50 units, located at the corner of Fayette and Westmoreland. Discussions are currently active regarding the acquisition of additional land parcels from the Greater Syracuse Land Bank and other owners necessary for the construction.
The four buildings slated for demolition have been tagged as high-crime zones and are part of the effort to eliminate problematic areas while creating a combination of market-rate and workforce units to elevate living standards and community safety.
Parkside Commons Ventures acquired the property for $26 million a year ago with the explicit goal of enhancing the complex and its surroundings. City officials, including the commissioner of neighborhood and business development, have expressed cautious optimism regarding the developers’ plans. Additionally, state officials are viewing the project favorably, anticipating potential funding approvals by mid-2026.
A request for site plan approval will be submitted to the City Planning Commission on October 20, marking a crucial step in the planning process. This project is part of a broader initiative aimed at addressing the concentration of poverty and enhancing community safety throughout the Syracuse area.
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Additional Resources
- Syracuse.com: Owners’ Vision for Parkside Commons
- Wikipedia: Affordable Housing
- CNY Central: Five Arrested in Drug Bust at Parkside Commons
- Google Search: Parkside Commons Syracuse
- Syracuse.com: Man Shot Near Parkside Commons
- Google Scholar: Urban Renewal Housing Complexes
- Syracuse.com: Firefighters Rescue Five at Parkside Commons
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Housing Architecture
- Syracuse.com: New Owners of Notorious Syracuse Complex
- Google News: Redevelopment Housing Syracuse
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