Governor Kathy Hochul announced that substantial rehabilitation work has begun at Buffalo's former Public School 78 to transform the vacant building into 46 affordable apartments and space for community programs and services.
The $19 million Olympic Avenue Apartments will be highly energy-efficient and will offer residents free WiFi and technical support as part of the State's efforts to close the digital divide.
Built in 1927, PS 78 is listed on both the State and National Registers of Historic Places, and most recently housed a Montessori School. The city of Buffalo selected CDS Monarch to redevelop the building as affordable housing. The school's auditorium will become a community center where local nonprofits will provide services and programs targeted to residents, surrounding neighborhoods and community members.
The substantial rehabilitation of PS 78 will create 43 one-bedroom and three two-bedroom apartments. Eight apartments will be set aside and specially constructed to accommodate people with physical disabilities. All apartments will be affordable to households earning at or below 60 percent of the Area Median Income.
Essential work includes installing a new roof with green features, new mechanical, electrical, plumbing and fire alarm systems, new furnaces with cooling coils and split system condensing units located on the roof, and energy efficient doors, windows and storm windows throughout. The planned work for the 1.8-acre site includes the addition of new sidewalks, a stormwater system, site lighting, a new playground and native landscaping, and a community garden.
Each apartment will be equipped with all Energy Star or equivalent appliances, energy efficient lighting, and water-saving plumbing fixtures. The development will provide free Wi-Fi, giving each resident a unique Wi-Fi network, available in their apartment as well as anywhere in the building, along with 24/7 IT management on-call services.
Additional amenities include a community room with a kitchen, computer room and exercise rooms, storage space, and laundry facilities on the first and third floors. There will also be a dedicated patio with benches and picnic tables for outdoor gatherings. ■