H'port senior housing project could begin soon
'This is what the people here said they wanted, to keep the building and provide places for the elderly to live.' - Richard Gardiner Urbana town supervisor
By MARY PERHAM THE LEADER.

HAMMONDSPORT - Work to turn the former municipal hall in the village of Hammondsport into a senior housing center could begin as early as October.

A recent award of $2.25 million from the state Department of Housing and Community Renewal has set in motion the final steps to turn the three-story building into 21 apartments for limited-income seniors.

"This is just great news, great news," said Urbana Town Supervisor Richard Gardiner. "This is what the people here said they wanted, to keep the building and provide places for the elderly to live. And at no cost to the taxpayer. None."

The 150-year-old municipal hall, a former schoolhouse, is owned by the town and located in the village. It has housed town and village offices, a police department and a local library.

When library trustees announced plans four years ago to relocate to another site, Urbana officials said the nearly-empty building would be vacated after the library moved.

Both village and town officials initially backed a plan for Steuben Churchpeople Against Poverty to convert the building into affordable seniors quarters. But the project hit a road block nearly two years ago when village officials said the site could not be rezoned.

When the town proposed to convert the structure using other state laws not subject to rezoning, village trustees threatened to sue the town to prevent the renovation.

After months of bitter wrangling on both sides, the village conducted a straw poll that showed support for the project and trustees withdrew their objections. But the delay meant the deadline for approved state funding for the project had lapsed. SCAP officials reapplied for the money, which was approved this week.

"It's a relief to hear the news," said village Mayor Emery Cummings. "Let's get it started, put all that turmoil behind us and move forward. I hope the town and village will work together to make it happen."

SCAP officials expect to sign a long-term lease with the town for a nominal sum within the next month, according to SCAP Director of Development Dan Gallagher.

Gallagher said work should begin this fall, with occupancy set for October of 2008.

The new complex will serve income-eligible elderly in the Hammondsport area and provide a year-round boost to retail revenues in the small, summer resort village of 700 residents, officials said.

"It's all going to be in walking distance for the (tenants)," Gardiner said. "It's going to be great for the community."