McMahon warns to brace for higher COVID case numbers

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SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon said residents need to “brace” themselves for higher case numbers of COVID-19 now that the omicron variant

Work begins on Monarch Commons housing project in town of Cicero

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CICERO, N.Y. — Construction has started on a $15 million housing development with 50 apartments in the town of Cicero. Monarch Commons will include 35 apartments for adults age 55 and older, and 15 apartments for veterans dealing with homelessness or “housing insecurity,” the office of Gov. Kathy Hochul, announced Dec. 3. The project’s developer

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CICERO, N.Y. — Construction has started on a $15 million housing development with 50 apartments in the town of Cicero.

Monarch Commons will include 35 apartments for adults age 55 and older, and 15 apartments for veterans dealing with homelessness or “housing insecurity,” the office of Gov. Kathy Hochul, announced Dec. 3.

The project’s developer is CDS Monarch, Inc. of Webster in Monroe County.

Monarch Commons will be a single two-story building with 48 one-bedroom apartments and two two-bedroom apartments. All apartments are “affordable” to households earning at or below 60 percent of the area median income, per Hochul’s office.

Monarch Commons has been designed to adhere to energy efficiency and green-building standards required under the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority’s new construction-housing program (Tier 3) and the project will pursue LEED certification.

Other energy-efficient features include light-emitting diode (LED) lighting, low-flow plumbing fixtures, continuously operating bath fans, and all Energy Star or equivalent appliances, equipment, lighting, and fixtures.

State financing includes federal low-income housing tax credits that will generate $12 million in equity and $2.5 million in subsidies from New York State Homes and Community Renewal. NYSERDA will provide $175,000 in support. Additional financing is being provided by the CDS Wolf Foundation and the Central New York Community Foundation.

New York State Assemblyman Al Stirpe (D–Cicero) called Monarch Commons a “groundbreaking project on many levels.”

“Energy efficient, affordable apartments for our senior and veteran population which provide onsite support services, will be transformative,” Stirpe contended. “Amenities including access to technology, safety features and a connection to community is imperative in receiving the quality of care that people need. We look forward to welcoming them to the neighborhood.”

Monarch Commons is part of the state’s $20 billion, five-year housing plan to make housing accessible and to combat homelessness by building or preserving more than 100,000 affordable homes and 6,000 homes with supportive services. Since 2011, New York State Homes and Community Renewal has provided $190 million in funding for projects in Onondaga County, which has created or preserved nearly 2,800 affordable homes.

About Monarch Commons

Fifteen of the apartments will be reserved for veterans who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. These individuals will have access to on-site supportive services provided by Soldier On, a national organization specializing in supporting veterans.

Services and rental subsidies will be funded by the Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative and administered by the New York State Office of Temporary and Development Assistance.

Each apartment will have storage space, kitchen amenities, and a patio or balcony. Bathrooms will be equipped with grab bars and emergency pull cords.

Building amenities will include a lounge, community room, exercise room, and computer room. The building will also include a dedicated office space and separate meeting area for the supportive-service provider.

“CDS is thrilled to partner with the State of New York in providing safe, affordable, and high-quality housing for our veterans,” Andrew Sewnauth, COO of CDS Life Transitions, said. “Building upon the foundation of our Warrior Salute program in Rochester, Monarch Commons represents a commitment to our brave men and women who deserve nothing less than the best our country has to offer.”

Mohawk Valley Association of Realtors names 2022 board members

Construction, Design & Real Estate, Employee Benefits & Human Resources, People on the Move, Regional News, Subscriber Only

UTICA, N.Y. — The Mohawk Valley Association of Realtors (MVAR) recently announced the 2022 MVAR board of directors and Mid New York Regional MLS board of managers, as voted upon by the membership on Dec. 2. MVAR board members for 2022 include: • President: David Paciello, One Realty Partners • President-elect: Jodie DeCosty, Coldwell Banker Prime Properties

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Tompkins County IDA revises local construction-labor policy

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ITHACA, N.Y. — As it seeks to boost area construction employment, the Tompkins County Industrial Development Agency (TCIDA) has voted to approve revisions to its local labor-utilization policy, which it first adopted in 2016. The revised policy establishes a 75-percent construction-labor requirement for workers residing in Tompkins and the adjacent six counties, per a Dec.

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The revised policy establishes a 75-percent construction-labor requirement for workers residing in Tompkins and the adjacent six counties, per a Dec. 9 news release from Ithaca Area Economic Development (IAED).

IAED is a private, nonprofit economic-development organization serving Ithaca and Tompkins County.

The policy requires notifying the Building Trades Council and solicitating bids from local contractors. It also outlines a formal waiver process for warranty issues, specialized skills, significant-cost differentials, and other extenuating circumstances.

Affordable-housing projects are exempt from the policy.

“This local labor policy is the product of a lot of careful thinking, discussion, and compromise to reach agreement on how to encourage developers to build here while also using our homegrown talent to get these projects done. I want to thank the IDA members and IAED staff that helped us get to the finish line,” said Rich John, who chairs the TCIDA.

The revisions passed by the TCIDA “strengthens” the 2016 policy that was enacted to gather data and better understand the local labor capacity, particularly for large, multi-story development projects, IAED said.

IAED, the administrative agent for the TCIDA, compiled and presented data to the TCIDA’s labor committee to inform policy revisions. Conversations with a cross-section of key stakeholders “complemented the process,” IAED said.

“The new policy builds on the data gathered from recent projects that have received financial incentives from the TCIDA,” Heather McDaniel, IAED president, said. “The TCIDA, developers, labor representatives, general contractors, and elected officials rolled up our sleeves and developed a policy that will provide construction jobs for local workers and continue to support growth and investment in Ithaca and Tompkins County.”

“This policy will help keep local wages in the hands of local workers, leading to an increase in homeownership and apprentice programs, and ultimately a stronger and more vibrant community,” Brian Noteboom, representative of Carpenters Local 277, said. “This is a win for everybody, especially tradespeople, and is a testament to the partnerships that make it happen every day.”

TCIDA — a public authority created by the Tompkins County Legislature — works to provide economic incentives to business and industry to “diversify and strengthen Tompkins County’s tax base and enhance community vitality by supporting job creation, business and industrial development, and community revitalization,” per the IAED release.

Home Builders & Remodelers of CNY inducts new president

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SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Home Builders & Remodelers of Central New York (HBRCNY) has installed its new president. Michael Pettinato of Harrington Homes of Jamesville will serve as the organization’s 2022 president. Pettinato was sworn in at the HBRCNY President’s Dinner held Dec. 11 at the Craftsman Inn in Fayetteville. Home Builders & Remodelers of Central

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New Burton Homestead formally opens in Rome

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ROME, N.Y. — The New Burton Homestead, an independent senior-living facility, recently formally opened in Rome. The New Burton Homestead, located at 401 Floyd Ave., hosted a grand opening on Monday, Dec. 13 with the Rome Area Chamber of Commerce. Velvet Symonds Barnard, administrator/manager at New Burton Homestead, accepted a first dollar of profit award

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Sessler Companies adds Piedramartel, Marullo

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WATERLOO, N.Y. — Sessler Companies, a full-service specialty contractor and development firm, recently hired Daniel Piedramartel, of Geneva, as a project accountant, and Justin Marullo, of Auburn, as a staff accountant. Piedramartel has nine years of finance and accounting experience in the construction industry and will coordinate all finance activities for construction projects for Sessler

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VIEWPOINT: OFCCP Announces New Contractor Portal

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Federal contractors must use it to verify affirmative- action programs On Dec. 2, 2021, the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) Revealed its new online system that will be used to track and review federal contractors’ Affirmative Action Program (AAP) compliance. OFCCP announced that the new online Contractor Portal will be required to be used by

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Federal contractors must use it to verify affirmative- action programs

On Dec. 2, 2021, the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) Revealed its new online system that will be used to track and review federal contractors’ Affirmative Action Program (AAP) compliance.

OFCCP announced that the new online Contractor Portal will be required to be used by all covered federal contractors and subcontractors to certify, on an annual basis, that they have developed an AAP. Currently, supply and service contractors, but not construction contractors, are required to use the portal. The Contractor Portal will also be used by contractors to submit their AAP to OFCCP during compliance evaluations.

Federal contractors will be able to register for access to the portal starting on Feb. 1, 2022 and may submit their AAP compliance verification as early as March 31, 2022. The deadline for contractors to certify that they are in compliance with their AAP obligations for each establishment and/or functional unit is set for June 30, 2022.

OFCCP has published a frequently asked questions (FAQ) page to address basic questions about its new Contractor Portal, otherwise known as the Affirmative Action Program Verification Interface (AAP-VI). In its FAQs, OFCCP defines “covered” contractors as those who hold a contract of $50,000 or more and employ 50 or more employees. Those federal contractors must develop AAPs pursuant to Executive Order 11246 and Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. If a contractor has at least 50 employees and a contract of $150,000 or more, then it must also develop an AAP pursuant to the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974. OFCCP also clarifies that certifying AAP compliance will not exempt contractors from compliance audits.

Notably, OFCCP notes that the purpose of the online portal is to more efficiently track whether contractors are meeting their obligations to develop and maintain written AAPs. Federal contractors who have not kept their AAPs up to date should use this time to ensure that they come into compliance as soon as possible.

Christa Richer Cook is a member (partner) with Syracuse–based Bond, Schoeneck & King PLLC. She assists clients with their labor and employment issues, including internal investigations, unemployment insurance, wage and hour issues, workforce reductions, and more. Contact Cook at ccook@bsk.com. This article is drawn from Bond’s New York Labor & Employment Law Report blog.

Work wraps up on $20 million housing development in Utica

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UTICA, N.Y. — Construction crews have finished their work on The Link at Sunset, a $20 million housing community in Utica. It replaced the long-vacant Sunset School with 60 apartments, including 12 units reserved for adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities who will have access to on-site supportive services. The Link at Sunset development involved

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UTICA, N.Y. — Construction crews have finished their work on The Link at Sunset, a $20 million housing community in Utica.

It replaced the long-vacant Sunset School with 60 apartments, including 12 units reserved for adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities who will have access to on-site supportive services.

The Link at Sunset development involved the demolition of the “long-vacant and decaying” Sunset School, the office of Gov. Kathy Hochul said in a Dec. 7 news release. The newly constructed development is a single four-story building that has 48 apartments that are “affordable” to households earning at or below 80 percent of the area median income.

“The Link at Sunset serves Utica in countless ways, not only by replacing a deteriorating school with a modern housing development, but also by providing vital services to those who need them the most,” Hochul said. “Every New Yorker deserves a safe place to lay their head at night and with projects like these we are working to expand access to housing for all.”

The project’s mechanical systems include energy-recovery ventilators for heating and ventilation with central air conditioning for each unit. Construction also incorporated energy-efficiency practices and equipment such as appliances, hot-water production, windows, lighting, insulation, and air sealing.

State financing included federal and state low-income housing tax credits that generated $13 million in equity and $3.7 million in subsidy from New York State Homes and Community Renewal.

The New York State Office for People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) provided $1.8 million in capital and NYSERDA provided $60,000 in support.

The Mohawk Valley Regional Economic Development Council recommended a round 9 capital-fund grant through Empire State Development for $380,000 to be used toward demolition and construction costs in exchange for the creation of 12 jobs. The City of Utica also provided $300,000, Hochul’s office said.

The Link at Sunset is part of the state’s $20 billion, five-year housing plan to make housing accessible and to combat homelessness by building or preserving more than 100,000 affordable homes and 6,000 homes with supportive services. Since 2011, New York State Homes and Community Renewal has invested more than $265 million in the Mohawk Valley, which has created or preserved over 2,500 affordable homes, Hochul’s office said.

Kelberman Center role

The project has 12 apartments reserved for individuals who will have access to on-site supportive services. Services and rental subsidies are funded through OPWDD’s integrated supportive housing program.

The service provider is the Kelberman Center, which is also the project’s developer, Hochul’s office said.

The building’s ground floor includes a 7,000 square feet commercial space for use by the Kelberman Center for administrative offices and year-round programming for the people they support, including events and activities for everyone living at The Link.

The Kelberman Center — an affiliate of Upstate Caring Partners, Inc. — is a provider of autism services for children, adults, and families in the Mohawk Valley and Central New York. The Kelberman Center says it provides specialized programs, resources, and support services to help create fulling, life-enriching experiences for individuals and families.

Utica Center for Development buys YWCA building for $500,000

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UTICA, N.Y. — The Utica Center for Development, Inc. recently purchased the 34,630-square-foot building at 1002 Cornelia St. in Utica from the YWCA of the Mohawk Valley for $500,000. Michael Conley of Cushman & Wakefield/Pyramid Brokerage Company helped arrange the transaction, per a release from the real-estate firm. The property has a current total assessment

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