Governor Kathy Hochul has announced the groundbreaking of East Adams Phase I, a $102 million housing project in Syracuse that will provide 132 energy-efficient units. The development is part of the broader East Adams Neighborhood Transformation Plan, overseen by the Syracuse Housing Authority, and will be built on the site of the former McKinney Manor public housing. The project is planned as part of efforts to reconnect the neighborhood following the removal of the I-81 viaduct, according to a statement from the Governor’s office.
The administration of Governor Hochul, which has overseen the creation or preservation of more than 1,400 affordable homes in Syracuse, is now focusing on East Adams Phase I. The development will include 117 apartments for households earning up to 60 percent of the Area Median Income, while 63 units will be supported by Section 8 Project-Based Vouchers. Residents temporarily relocated during construction are guaranteed the right to return under the HUD Uniform Relocation Act. East Adams Phase I is planned as an all-electric development featuring environmentally friendly elements, including a ground-source geothermal heat pump system and high-performance windows designed to reduce energy use and operational costs.
In addition to residential units, East Adams Phase I will include communal spaces such as playgrounds, open landscaped areas, and pedestrian-friendly pathways. The development also features amenities including a fitness center, community room, lounge, and areas for business incubation and on-site management operations, designed to support a connected community. The project is part of an 11-phase plan to redevelop 118 acres and approximately 1,500 homes, in line with the State’s effort to remove the overpass that has long separated the East Adams neighborhood from downtown Syracuse.
Financing for East Adams Phase I includes $42 million in equity from State and Federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credits, along with a $45 million subsidy from New York State Homes and Community Renewal. Additional support comes from Empire State Development through an $8 million subsidy loan, as well as contributions from the Syracuse Housing Authority, the City of Syracuse, Onondaga County, and various federal partners. The funding aligns with statewide housing objectives, including more than $1.5 billion in state funds for new housing initiatives in the FY26 budget and Governor Hochul’s five-year, $25 billion housing plan focused on creating and preserving homes across New York State.
At the project’s groundbreaking, Governor Hochul stated that East Adams Phase I represents “the start of a new chapter for a neighborhood that was torn apart decades ago by the construction of the I-81 viaduct,” as reported by the Governor’s office. Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh and Syracuse Housing Authority Executive Director William J. Simmons also attended. The project aims to increase neighborhood connectivity, expand economic opportunities, and provide affordable housing.
