October 22, 2018
Housing and Commercial Space Near Education and Employment Create Vibrant Live/Work Community in Heart of Johnson City
Investment is Part of “Southern Tier Soaring” - The Region’s Comprehensive Strategy to Revitalize Communities and Grow the Economy
October 22, 2018 - New York State Homes and Community Renewal Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas today announced the opening of Century Sunrise, a $33 million affordable housing development in Johnson City that transforms two vacant historic industrial buildings, once part of the Endicott-Johnson Shoe factory, into 105 apartments and 9,000 feet of commercial space. Century Sunrise helps create a vibrant community in the heart of Johnson City, where students and professionals at the Binghamton Pharmacy School, UHS Hospital, and SUNY Binghamton University can live close to where they learn and work, and within walking distance to shops, restaurants, and services. The development is part of Southern Tier Soaring, the State’s comprehensive plan to revitalize communities and grow local economies.
HCR Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas said, “Century Sunrise transforms historic warehouse buildings in the heart of Johnson City into affordable homes for more than 100 students and professionals who will be working and studying at the Binghamton University Pharmacy School and nearby SUNY Binghamton. HCR is taking a holistic approach to housing, investing in developments like this that complement local revitalization efforts in order to help the Southern Tier’s economy continue to soar.”
The project consists of 105 apartments affordable to individuals and families at multiple income levels. The redevelopment also has 9,000 square feet of commercial space on the ground floor that will be home to the locally based Binghamton Brewing Co., that plans to open a microbrewery as well as local brew pub and restaurant in the space.
The common areas, which are handicapped accessible, include recreation areas, a children’s playground, laundry faculties and a large community room with kitchen. The development includes open green space with seating, off-street parking, and space for bicycles. The site is close to major bus routes and a wide range of services. The development includes apartments set aside for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities who will receive supportive services from Springbrook NY, Inc., a nonprofit that provides services to more than 1,000 developmentally disabled people.
The development includes two buildings: Century and Sunrise, both part or a larger complex that served as the home of the Endicott-Johnson company, the world’s largest shoe manufacturer in the 1940s, employing over 30,000 people. The company was known for providing access to affordable housing and medical benefits to employees. Century Sunrise complement’s the original intent for the site to be an anchor for the community, as it is located directly across the street from the Binghamton Pharmacy School, one block away from UHS Hospital, one of the area’s largest employers, and less than two miles from SUNY Binghamton University.
Both the buildings are listed on the National Register of Historic Places and are located in the Johnson City Historic District. Rehabilitation work included preserving brick work and original features. Additionally, turn-of-the-century tools and artifacts uncovered in the space were restored and are exhibited throughout the development.
Century Sunrise fulfills the Governor’s Office of Storm Recovery goal of rehabilitating and reusing existing buildings outside of the floodplain to provide new mixed‐income residences and commercial space within the Village of Johnson City, which was hit hard in 2011 by Tropical Storms Irene and Lee.
The $33 million project was supported by New York State through a combination of Southern Tier Soaring Upstate Revitalization Initiative funding through Empire State Development, New York State Homes and Community Renewal tax-exempt bonds and Low Income Housing Tax Credits that generated equity of the project. The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation Tax Credit programs also provided equity for the project. The Governor’s Office of Storm Recovery provided Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery funds.
ESD President, CEO & Commissioner Howard Zemsky said, “The investments we’re making through the Upstate Revitalization Initiative are having a major impact in the Southern Tier region. This project is a great example of how public-private partnerships can help revitalize communities, as the Century Sunrise development has transformed vacant, blighted buildings into a place that will generate new economic opportunities.”
Thehbia Hiwot, Governor’s Office of Storm Recovery Executive Director of Housing, Buyout, and Acquisition Programs said, “Governor Cuomo established GOSR with a clear mandate to help communities across the state recover from the effects of Superstorm Sandy, Hurricane Irene and Tropical Strom Lee. Irene and Lee, hitting the Southern Tier within a single month, destroyed 229 homes and damaged more than 9,000 residences, including rental properties. Working with GOSR, residents and representatives of Johnson City laid out a clear need for new flood-safe affordable housing and commercial space to help accelerate recovery, boost resiliency and buoy economic revitalization and help the Southern Tier soar. We are proud to be part of this wonderful project to preserve the fabric of this town by bringing new life and activity to these historic buildings.”
Rose Harvey, Commissioner of the State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation said, “The former Sunrise Factory is a key component to the New York State and National Register listed Johnson City Historic District. By designating properties on the Registers, communities like Johnson City had the foresight to look at their historic built environment as an asset to create investment and opportunity. A necessary step to unlocking access to the New York State and federal Historic Tax Credits is Registers designation. Thank you, Johnson City and the development team, for your vision and commitment to this extraordinary adaptive reuse.”
Kerry A. Delaney, Acting Commissioner of the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities said, “Living in the community and sharing what their neighborhoods have to offer brings so much to the lives of people with developmental disabilities and to their communities. Doors that were once closed continue to be opened through projects like Century Sunrise, enabling people with developmental disabilities to experience what it’s like to live an integrated lifestyle of their choosing while receiving appropriate and timely services tailored to their needs.”
Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo said, “Part of the strategy for revitalizing Johnson City, and the urban core of Broome County, involves breathing new life into historic buildings like these. For decades, the Century and Sunrise buildings were eyesores and a constant reminder of a bygone era. By providing affordable housing and commercial space, Century Sunrise will become an anchor in the community once again.”
Broome County Executive Jason Garnar said, “The Century Sunrise development brings new life to Johnson City. This project brings new life to a vacant historical building and brings much-needed affordable housing and commercial space to this growing area in the village of Johnson City. It compliments Binghamton University’s new Pharmacy School and Broome County is proud to support and celebrate this project.”
Village of Johnson City Mayor Greg Deemie said, “Century Sunrise is an exciting development that is increasing affordable housing options and bringing new businesses to our Village. Thank you to New York State, Regan Development and all the partners in this project that will increase quality of life in Johnson City.”
Larry Regan, President, Regan Development said, “Regan Development is proud to be part of this exciting community development project. We want to thank Governor Cuomo for investing state resources to help Century Sunrise come to life, as well as all the area stakeholders including the Village of Johnson City, the Town of Union, and Broome County.”
For information on available apartments call 914-693-3011 or email go to centurysunrise.com.
Accelerating Southern Tier Soaring
Today's announcement complements “Southern Tier Soaring the region’s comprehensive blueprint to generate robust economic growth and community development. The State has already invested more than $6.2 billion in the region since 2012 to lay for groundwork for the plan – attracting a talented workforce, growing business and driving innovation. Today, unemployment is down to the lowest levels since before the Great Recession; personal and corporate income taxes are down; and businesses are choosing places like Binghamton, Johnson City and Corning as a destination in which to grow and invest. Now, the region is accelerating Southern Tier Soaring with a $500 million State investment through the Upstate Revitalization Initiative, announced by Governor Cuomo in December 2015. The State’s $500 million investment will incentivize private business to invest well over $2.5 billion – and the region’s plan, as submitted, projects up to 10,200 new jobs. More information is available here.