Former vacant City-owned double lot renovated into affordable housing units
SCHENECTADY – Mayor Gary McCarthy joined AIK Property Group to announce the completed rehabilitation of a previously City-owned vacant property at 1073 Howard Street in Schenectady’s Mont Pleasant neighborhood.
AIK Property Group purchased the double lot from the City of Schenectady and hired local minority and women-owned businesses to complete the rehabilitation project – including graduates of Schenectady’s Economic Opportunity Workforce Initiative.
“This is the culmination of multiple City programs working cohesively with community partners to revitalize distressed property and create affordable housing opportunities in Schenectady,” Mayor McCarthy said. “This is a great example of the long-term neighborhood revitalization efforts that are occurring across the community as a result of our HOMES initiative and I want to thank Pam Swanigan and AIK Property Group for their investment in our neighborhoods.”
“Today AIK is celebrating the opportunity realize a part of our vision,” said Pamela Swanigan, AIK Property Group. “That vision is to have a positive impact on Schenectady’s community by creating affordable housing, in the form of this two-family rental unit, a place where two families can raise their children in a newly renovated, safe and peaceful space. AIK’s intention is to be an excellent neighbor to the community residents by creating and maintaining a home on the block that everyone can be proud to drive by and live within its walls.”
The newly renovated former church has been transformed into a two-family affordable residence. Each unit has three bedrooms, multiple baths, open floor plans, stainless steel appliances, recessed lighting, new windows, floors, fixtures, walls, new doors, and vanities. Each carefully designed living space has its own washer and dryer and off-street parking for two cars. Harline Andrus of Homes by Harline will serve as the property manager for AIK Property Group.
AIK Property Group recently completed renovation project at two other previously City-owned properties – 3330 Balltown Road and 232 Twelfth Street. Their next project will be 2022 Williams Street in the Bellevue neighborhood – a single-family three-bedroom home that will be sold to a first-time homebuyer.
During his first-term, Mayor McCarthy established the HOMES Initiative to promote and facilitate housing opportunities throughout Schenectady through partnerships with area banks, realtors, and other housing-related entities.
Since 2013, over 600 previously vacant city-owned properties have been sold, renovated, and put back on the tax rolls through the City’s HOMES initiative. In the first three months of 2021, the City of Schenectady has sold 32 properties to new owners for over $1.2 million in revenue for city taxpayers.
Potential homebuyers can find purchase offer forms and information regarding housing opportunities, financial assistance, first-time homebuyer programs, and other resources at www.CallSchenectadyHome.com. You may also contact Maurice Brown, the City’s Homeownership Coordinator, at (518) 382-5199 ext. 5348, or mbrown@schenectadyny.gov.
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