Artist’s rendering of the Gateway Lofts project upon completion

JAMESTOWN – The effort to create the Gateway Lofts multi-unit housing program at the Gateway Center in Jamestown is moving forward.

Steven Ald, director of real estate development at Southern Tier Environments for Living (STEL), tells WRFA that STEL is seeking clarification from the city regarding the planning commission’s recent decision on the Gateway Lofts proposal.

“[On Tuesday] STEL submitted a Freedom of Information request to City zoning officials requesting the City’s file materials in order to hopefully clarify the City Planning Commission’s recent SEQRA determination and related matters. STEL and its partners will be planning our next steps based on our review of all pertinent information,” Ald said via email.

The positive declaration from the planning commission’s Oct. 16 meeting means the commission felt the project could have a significant effect on the environment as it pertains to housing throughout the city and, as a result, STEL will need to address the concerns outlined by the commission and its staff in a forthcoming environmental impact statement.

“It’s our professional opinion that it has been determined that the proposed Gateway Lofts project does not comply with the spirit or intent of the Neighborhood Revitalization Plan adopted [by the Jamestown City Council] on Dec. 27, 2010 by a vote of 9 to 0 and the plan, as proposed, will create a significant impact on the environment that will create the perpetual cycle devaluing, disinvestment, neglect, and abandonment identified in the neighborhood revitilization plan,” explained city planning associate Crystal Surdyk during the Oct.16 meeting.

STEL and its legal counsel had hoped to that the commission would instead consider the project a “Type II” action – meaning it didn’t require any further environmental review – based on the project already addressing several environmental issues via its Brownfield cleanup plan, along with no significant additions being added to the existing structure.

Ald says that STEL and its partners – Community Helping Hands and the YWCA of Jamestown– is also encouraging members of the community to continue voicing support for the project.

“In light of the critical need for this innovative project and the significant community support that has been expressed for it to date, STEL, Community Helping Hands, the YWCA and their other local partners encourage members of the community to contact their representatives to reinforce their support for the Gateway Lofts,” Ald said. “We continue to work on progressing the project with the City, the necessary funding sources and local stakeholders. ”

On Oct. 9 the planning commission held a public hearing with over 80 people in attendance and the majority of those who spoke were in favor of the project.

The partners want to convert the Gateway Center on Water Street into the Gateway Lofts, which would offer an estimated 40 housing units to low income individuals and families members, along with about 40 other units for single parents seeking housing assistance from the YWCA, as well as non-violent individuals with addiction or mental health issues and overseen by STEL.  The total cost of the renovation project is estimated to cost $31 million.

According to the developers, support for the project has been given by several local officials, including: Gov. Andrew Cuomo, Sen. Catherine Young, Assemblyman Andrew Goodell, County Executive George Borrello, Deputy County Executive for Economic Development and IDA director Mark Geise, Sheriff Joseph Gerace, county Health and Human Services Director Christine Schuyler, and the Homeless Coalition.

Members and staff of the city planning commission meet in city hall on Tuesday, Oct. 16 to discuss the Gateway Lofts project.

JAMESTOWN – The City of Jamestown Planning Commission Tuesday unanimously issued a positive declaration for the proposed Gateway Lofts as part of its State Environmental Quality Review (SEQR) assessment.

The positive declaration means the commission feels the project may have a significant effect on the environment as it pertains to housing throughout the city and, as a result, the developer for the project – Southern Tier Environments for Living (STEL) – will need to address the concerns outlined by the commission and its staff in a forthcoming environmental impact statement.

City planning associate Crystal Surdyk explained that the reason for the positive declaration was due to the proposed project not falling into compliance with the city’s 2010 Neighborhood Revitalization Plan. Specifically, it would create a large number of housing units within the city.

“It’s our professional opinion that it has been determined that the proposed Gateway Lofts project does not comply with the spirit or intent of the Neighborhood Revitalization Plan adopted [by the Jamestown City Council] on Dec. 27, 2010 by a vote of 9 to 0 and the plan, as proposed, will create a significant impact on the environment that will create the perpetual cycle devaluing, disinvestment, neglect, and abandoment identified in the neighborhood revitilization plan,” Surdyk noted.

STEL and its legal counsel had hoped to that the Planning Commission would instead consider the project a “Type II” action – meaning it didn’t require any further environmental review – based on the project already addressing several environmental issues via its Brownfield cleanup plan, along with no significant additions being added to the existing structure. The group also argued that the project would not have a negative impact on housing conditions because it focuses primarily on individuals who are unable to live in most of the housing currently available within the area.  The group also pointed out the project is being supported by Harold Whitford, president of the Jamestown Landlords Association.

Because of the positive declaration, the planning commission did not act on granting the required permits needed in order for the project to move forward.

Following the meeting, STEL representative Steven Ald said the agency will work to address environmental review requirements so the project can move forward.

“It’s a lot of work to go through the SEQR process but we’re willing to it. It will certainly not delay our applications for funding. It may make it less likely to be funded but we are certainly sticking to our timeline to be funded,” Ald said.

In addition to completing an environmental assessment for the state to review, STEL also has the option of challenging the action by the commission if it chooses.

STEL is working with Community Helping Hands and the YWCA of Jamestown to convert the Gateway Center on Water Street into the Gateway Lofts, which would offer an estimated 40 housing units to low income individuals and families members, along with about 40 other units for single parents seeking housing assistance from the YWCA, as well as non-violent individuals with addiction or mental health issues and overseen by STEL.  The total cost of the renovation project is estimated to cost $31 million.

The decision by the planning commission came a week after it held a public hearing on the matter in which over two dozen people spoke on the project, with most in favor of it moving forward.

According to the developers, support for the project has been given by several local officials, including: Gov. Andrew Cuomo, Sen. Catherine Young, Assemblyman Andrew Goodell, County Executive George Borrello, Deputy County Executive for Economic Development and IDA director Mark Geise, Sheriff Joseph Gerace, county Health and Human Services Director Christine Schuyler, and the Homeless Coalition.

A conceptual drawing of Gateway Lofts project at the Gateway Center in Jamestown

The hearing was agreed to following the Sept. 18 Planning Commission meeting, when members felt more details of the project need to be provided and all concerns heard before any commission action takes place.

The development is described as a multifamily, affordable housing project that would include 70 housing units over three stories of the Gateway Center building, which was formerly the long-time home of the now closed Chautauqua Hardware manufacturing business and currently houses several local organizations, including St. Susan Center, Community Helping Hands, Love Inc., and the Mental Health Association of Chautauqua County.

Of these units, 39 would offer affordable housing options, 16 would go to single-parent families assisted by the YWCA, and 25 units administered by STEL would be designated for non-violent individuals who are homeless and have a serious mental illness or a substance use disorder with a history of criminal offending or are at risk of offending.

The planning commission is required to review and approve planning documents for the project to make sure it is not in violation of any city codes or law.

If the project is found to violate city code, it would likely have to go before the zoning board for its approval.

The public hearing will take place at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 9 in the city council chambers. No action by the commission will take place that night, though it is scheduled to meet the following week on Oct. 16.

Attorney Steven Ricca with Bond, Schoeneck & King addresses the city Planning Commission during its Sept. 18, 2018 meeting.

JAMESTOWN – The public will have an opportunity to learn all the details regarding the proposed Gateway Lofts project during an October public hearing.

That was the decision that was made following Tuesday’s lengthy Jamestown Planning Commission meeting, in which members spent more than two hours reviewing and discussing the $34 million project with representatives of the proposal.

The only action taken was a unanimous vote to hold a public hearing next month at either City Hall or at the Gateway center, to allow residents an opportunity to learn more about the project and provide and comments, questions, or concerns they may have.

The $34 million project is an effort by Southern Tier Environments for Living (STEL), Community Helping Hands and the YWCA of Jamestown to provide an estimated 70 single and multi-family housing units in the upper floors of the gateway center on Water St.

Of these units, 39 would offer affordable housing options for low income residents, 16 would go to single-parent families assisted by the YWCA, and 25 units would be administered by STEL and designated for non-violent individuals who are homeless and have a serious mental illness or a substance use disorder – with a history of criminal offending or are at risk of offending.

While the project representatives did want to see the commission act on the site plans as presented, they also understood that there were still several questions and concerns left unanswered. Technical concerns involved a limited number of parking availability, proximity of snow disposal during the winter months to the nearby Chadakoin River, and a lack of green space and recreational space for any children who would be in the facility.

The high cost of the project was also noted by commission member Paul Whitford. Commissioner member Jeff Nelson, meanwhile, raised concerns about children having to live in a large apartment complex rather than in single unit homes and the impact it would have on their development. And commission Chair Greg Rabb also noted that residents in the city want to know why Jamestown has been selected to host the project, rather than another community.

“I get asked this a lot by residents, ‘Why is it that Jamestown is always being asked to deal with the problem?'” Rabb said, “Which doesn’t mean that people don’t care, but if you look at what we have in Jamestown right now with taxable property and people in need, we seem to be carrying – and I’ll say this somewhat selfishly as a home owner and a taxpayer in the city of Jamestown – we seem to be asked to carry the burden more than the rest of the community.”

In response to Rabb’s question, STEL executive director Steven Ald said that one other site in Dunkirk has been looked at, but officials opted to go with the Gateway Center instead because of the various service organizations that also already operate out of that building – including the St. Susan Center, Community Helping Hands, and the Mental Health Association.

The project still needs to undergo several hurdles, including site plan approval by the city Planning Commission, a possible variance to account for fewer parking spaces than allowed under the city code, as well as securing funding for a total project cost of $34 million.

Developers say the cost would be covered through a combination of state and federal tax credits that can be sold to investors, along with community investment funds and grants. The project partners have already received a $970,000 state grant to develop the design.

According to the developers, support for the project has been given by several local officials, including: Gov. Andrew Cuomo, Sen. Catherine Young, Assemblyman Andrew Goodell, County Executive George Borrello, Deputy County Executive for Economic Development and IDA director Mark Geise, Sheriff Joseph Gerace, county Health and Human Services Director Christine Schuyler, and the Homeless Coalition.

The public hearing is tentatively set for Oct. 9 and will take place either at the Gateway Center or in the council chambers of city hall.

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JAMESTOWN – The proposed Gateway Lofts project at the Gateway Center building on Water Street was the focus of discussion during Thursday’s Strategic Planning and Partnership Commission meeting.

The Strategic Planning and Partnership Commission during its Aug. 16, 2018 meeting.

Representatives from the law firms representing the two main developers of the project – Southern Tier Environments for Living (STEL) and Community Helping Hands – went over the specific details of the plan. Representatives of STEL, Community Helping Hands, and the YWCA of Jamestown were also on hand to provide information and answer questions.

• GATEWAY LOFTS POWER POINT PRESENTATION

Those on hand representing the project developers were STEL Development Director Steven Ald, Community Helping Hands Executive Director Tami Berg, YWCA executive director Jacqueline Chiarot Phelps, and attorneys Steven Ricca with Bond, Schoeneck & King and Matt Mazgaj from Phillips Lytle.

At the start of the presentation, Ricca explained why the Gateway Center was selected.

“This particular site selection was based on a complex algorithm of a number of factors – acreage, zoning, support services, access to transportation, and the like. So we didn’t take site selection here lightly at all,” Ricca said.

The development proposal, situated on the 5.8 acre Gateway Center location, is described as a multifamily affordable housing project that would include 70 housing units. Of these units, 39 would offer affordable housing options, 16 would go to single-parent families assisted by the YWCA, and 25 units administered by STEL would be designated for non-violent individuals who are homeless and have a serious mental illness or a substance use disorder with a history of criminal offending or are at risk of offending.

Attorney Steven Ricca with Bond, Schoeneck & King presents to the city Strategic Planning and Partnership Commission.

Ricca also said that the project will address a concerned outlined in the city’s recent poverty reduction study released in 2017.

“Housing is problematic for low-income residents as the cost of renting is very high and quality, affordable housing is scarce,” Ricca said. “The study also focused on a key concern that folks weren’t maintaining their properties and that there were delinquent properties. I’m aware of the fact that you have affordable housing developments in this city that you are aware of and are not very happy about. One thing I will say, however, is that this is not a situation where STEL will develop the property and then walk away. STEL will manage the property.”

The project still needs to undergo several hurdles, including a review by the city Planning Commission in September as well as securing funding for a total project cost of $34 million. The cost would be covered through a combination of state and federal tax credits that can be sold to investors, along with community investment funds and grants.

The project partners have already received a $970,000 state grant to develop the design.

The $34 million price tag is due to abatement issues that would need to be addressed in the current building, which is the former Chautauqua Hardware building built in the late 19^th century and which currently houses several nonprofit service operations including St. Susan Center, Community Helping Hands, a Daycare facility, and the Mental Health Association – among others.  Developers say the presence of those agencies on-site is one of the key reasons why the location was selected for the proposed project.

No zoning waivers would be needed because the location is already in an area of the city zoned for multi residential use.

Artist’s rendering of the Gateway Lofts project upon completion.

In all, the commission members spent an hour-and-a-half hearing details about the project and asking questions as well as raising concerns.

Commission Co-Chair Greg Rabb – who also chairs the city Planning Commission – explained why it was important for the group to appear before the Strategic Planning and Partnership Commission.

“If this project goes forward, it’s a big project, and it has more than just an effect on the immediate area. I think it has an effect on the entire community and that’s one of the reasons why this commission exists. We are part of the city of Jamestown and appointed by the mayor and approved by the council, so our goal here – with representatives from the public sector and the private sector and from inside the city and outside the city – to look at projects from a much bigger perspective than the narrow perspective which we’ll be taking from the planning commission. So we want to have this discussion because I knew this process was percolating and had a couple of questions and concerns,” Rabb said.

One of Rabb’s questions and concerns focused on the project being located in a food desert area of the city where fresh food wasn’t readily available.  Another concern was that the city currently has a significant amount of housing stock that could be used to help provide homes for the individuals this project is aimed at, while also noting that this project would concentrate a large number of people into a single area instead of working to integrate them into the community. Rabb also noted that the developers need to reach out to members of the city council and the Chautauqua County legislator who represents that area so they can be aware of the details of the project and share with constituents who will likely have questions.

The officials with the project responded to Rabb’s concerns about access to healthy food by explaining transportation would be made available through CARTS to help residents get back and forth to nearby supermarkets and the Jamestown Public Market’s mobile food market program could also help with providing healthier food options on site. They also noted that the concentration vs. integration issue was open to debate, considering there currently isn’t a lot of options for affordable and quality apartment housing in the city.

According to the developers, support for the project has been given by several local officials, including: Gov. Andrew Cuomo, Sen. Catherine Young, Assemblyman Andrew Goodell, County Executive George Borrello, Deputy County Executive for Economic Development and IDA director Mark Geise, Sheriff Joseph Gerace, county Health and Human Services Director Christine Schuyler, and the Homeless Coalition.

The project will likely be looked at further during the Sept. 18 meeting of the city planning commission.