Rome is home to New York's first carbon-neutral public housing development

Beacon Communities and the Rome Housing Authority gathered to celebrate the completion of Colonial II in Rome, recently – a $40 million renovation making the property the state’s first carbon-neutral public housing development.

According to state officials, the project’s energy-efficient design supports Governor Kathy Hochul’s climate goals while preserving 74 units of affordable housing.

Executive Director of the Rome Public Housing Authority Maureen Birmingham used the ‘best for last’ sentiment as she announced it was her final project before retirement. “We are proud to be at the forefront of improving energy efficiency in public housing and provide a model for buildings statewide,” she said.

After the ribbon cutting ceremony Birmingham led visitors on a tour of two apartment s– one vacant and the other furnished.

“The rehabilitation of Colonial II Apartments preserves a vital community asset and exemplifies our dedication to the development of zero-carbon buildings across the State,” Homes and Community Renewal Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas said in a statement. “This development, which improves the quality of life for seniors and people with disabilities in Oneida County, underscores our collective efforts towards a greener, more inclusive future for all New Yorkers.”

A group effort

The project was a collaboration between Beacon Communities and the Rome Housing Authority, with a development team including RIDA Architecture, PLLC; Staengl Engineering; Active Solar Development; L&S Energy, Stacks Resilience and New Ecology Inc.

The property builds on the Colonial I rehabilitation, completed in 2019, that created 83 energy-efficient affordable homes and upgraded a 1966 Rome Housing Authority building.

“These high-quality residences will transform the lives of tenants, and we know that wouldn’t be possible without collaboration,” David Vega, executive director and area manager at Chase Bank, said in a statement. “This project is a true testament to the power of partnership and community commitment. We at Chase are committed to financing projects like this into the future.”

NYSERDA's Building of Excellence Competition

Financing for Colonial II was made possible through a RAD/Section 18 Conversion with 4 percent tax credits from New York State Homes and Community Renewal. Work began in March 2022, and construction was completed in January 2024.

The project was awarded $1 million through the State’s Buildings of Excellence Competition. Additionally, the project received $296,000 from the Multifamily New Construction Program, and $194,740 from NY-Sun, all administered by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA).

The Buildings of Excellence Competition, a $58 million initiative, has awarded funding to 56 construction projects since its inception in 2019. Furthermore, $2 million in Early Design Support funding has been awarded to design firms to enhance capabilities to design toward carbon neutral standards, state officials confirmed.

The competition is administered by NYSERDA with the support of an advisory council comprising a cross-section of experts from the design and sustainability sectors with partners including American Institute of Architects New York State (ASHRAE) and The Real Estate Board of New York.

Rebecca Filbey, Team Lead for NYSERDA's New Construction program, noted that nearly a third of statewide greenhouse gas emissions derive from the built environment.

“Our work is guided by the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA) which contains goals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions 85% by mid century and delivering 100% zero emission electricity by 2040," she said. "Through technical assistance and financial incentives our Building of Excellence award aims to modernize and decarbonize existing buildings by supporting teams approaching construction free of fossil fuels.”

Filbey went on to define the Colonial II project as a “shining example” of a Building of Excellence recipient.

'Creating NY's carbon-neutral future'

Vice President of Clean and Resilient Buildings at NYSERDA Susanne DesRoaches praised Colonial II for helping to cultivate New York’s carbon-neutral future.

“NYSERDA is proud to have contributed to the success of this project as part of our Buildings of Excellence Competition - a key initiative helping New York State to transform our communities one building at a time. Upgrading buildings to be energy efficient creates more comfortable spaces for families to live and work," she said.

The renovation at 310 Cottage St. converted 99 units of public housing into 74 apartments reserved for seniors and individuals living with a disability.

Improvements included:

• Electrified building systems

• Installation of geothermal-sourced high-efficiency heat pumps to replace gas boiler system

• A small on-site solar field and connection to community solar

• Increased unit sizes

• Replacement of the brick façade with a panel system to improve temperature control and decrease overall energy usage, which allowed for retrofit of the existing building in a time and cost-effective manner to minimize resident displacement

• Structural upgrades to common areas, including a new mailroom and updated community room

• Creation of seven ADA accessible units

• Creation of two hearing and site impaired units

What made the Colonial II rehabilitation unique, said Filbey, was the use of panelized wall assembly which allowed tenants to maintain occupancy during the renovations.

Upstate East Director of Development at NYS Homes and Community Renewal, Darren Scott, applauded the project's intentionality. He called redevelopment of a 52-year old building “no easy plight.”

“Not all housing authorities are willing to take this kind of a leap, although they should; it puts properties on a sustainable path for the next 30 years," Scott said. "We are all deserving of  more than just a roof over our heads. We need quality homes that are sustainable for the future.”

Countering the affordable housing crisis

According to Scott, 44% of Rome citizens spend more than 30% of household income on housing. He claimed that expanding the supply of affordable housing means preserving assets as well as embarking on new developments.

To back his argument Scott referred to Hochul’s $25 billion housing plan, designed to preserve and construct 100,000 homes including 10,000 with supportive services.

“The state’s initiative allows for the continued creation, preservation, and protection of affordable homes. There are countless examples across the Mohawk Valley, from the Lofts at Globe Mill in Utica to the Copper City in Rome. Today marks yet another milestone that will benefit the entire region.”

President of Beacon Communities Josh Cohen also praised the preservation nature of the project.

“Rome, like the rest of the state, is experiencing a severe affordable housing crisis. The existing affordable housing stock is aging and in desperate need of repair. Preservation transactions like these are critical. If we don't preserve what we have already, building new affordable units won’t help… we’ll just be treading water.”

Looking to the future

On a tour of the new property Birmingham pointed out the nurse’s station on the ground floor. In the past the apartment hosted Covid-19 and flu clinics. She shared her hope that moving forward Colonial II is able to partner with the Oneida County Office for the Aging and Continuing Care, to hold blood pressure clinics as well.

State Senator Joseph Griffo, R-Rome, complemented the Housing Authority’s devotion to servicing its tenants.

“This project will re-energize the entire community," Griffo said. "It renews and reimagines what we can and should be doing relative to providing quality housing to city residents. Now low income seniors and individuals with disabilities will have access to a welcoming place to call home.”

Looking to the future, Cohen said Beacon Communities will continue its partnership with NYSERDA having recently joined its Carbon Neutral Portfolio Support Program.

“We're proud to be one of the first developers to join the program,” Cohen said. “This will help us stay at the forefront of developing and operating high-performance and low-carbon affordable housing.”

This article originally appeared on Observer-Dispatch: Colonial II in Rome is New York's first carbon-neutral public housing