The historic rehabilitation of 15 dilapidated and vacant structures is breathing new life into the East End neighborhood of Newburgh, N.Y.
Located in the state’s second largest historic district, the scattered-site East End Apartments helps remove blight, restore the historic fabric, and bring 45 mixed-income units of housing to a neighborhood that previously had none.
Developer RUPCO acquired the buildings, which were primarily constructed between 1880 and 1910, from the Newburgh Community Land Bank, which was formed by the city to help return the properties to productive reuse.
In addition to preserving the historic details of the buildings, including the replicated moldings and corbels, the development team modernized the buildings with energy-efficient and water-saving features as well as Energy Star appliances.
The Hub, a former dress factory, provides community space for the development. It houses six apartments, a community room, a laundry room, a police substation, an art gallery, and a computer room.
“It’s always a challenge to navigate historic preservation, energy efficiency, and building science, but we were able to successfully achieve LEED for Homes,” says Kevin O’Connor, CEO of RUPCO. “It was a very dramatic turnaround of some prominent buildings on these four blocks.”
The development serves households earning between 30% and 80% of the area median income, with a preference for families, artists, homeless youth, and veterans. RUPCO has partnered with two local nonprofits Safe Harbors of the Hudson and Bridges of New York to provide supportive services.
RUPCO combined eight funding sources, including historic and low-income housing tax credits, to acquire, construct, and provide services for the $15.2 million development. Another five-block, scattered-site project by RUPCO and the land bank is underway.
