Categories: New York State, Openings
09.07.2023
On September 6th, RUPCO hosted a ribbon cutting for their East End II project in Newburgh. The $36 million project includes 24 building sites in a seven-block radius, comprising 61 mixed-income homes. 10 of the homes are funded by the Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative (ESSHI) and are set aside for people living with Substance Use Disorder and youth and adults re-entering the community from incarceration. The scattered site development centers around the adaptive reuse of the historic United Methodist Church into a vibrant community center called Highpoint, which will be managed by the Newburgh-based nonprofit LYNC.
RUPCO’s CEO Kevin O’Connor emceed the event, which was kicked off by resident and owner of the local business, Hudson Valley Cheesecake, Dana Charres. Hudson Valley Cheesecake will have retail space and access to a commercial kitchen at Highpoint. Charres said, “This gives us a lifeline and chance to dream big and grow.”
NYS Homes and Community Renewal (HCR) Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas proclaimed that her agency was proud to be a part of this development, which she said will enhance the quality of life for residents and surrounding community as well. She spoke about the State’s commitment to ensure that such projects are “happening in all parts of the State.”
Erik Kulleseid, Commissioner of NYS Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation, which provided historic tax credits to the project praised RUPCO as a leader known for ambitious revitalization projects that combine historic preservation.
Assemblyman Jonathan Jacobson congratulated the project team on 100% occupancy, which he mentioned was a testament to the need for this type of affordable housing. He said East End II will “help address Newburgh’s most pressing housing concerns but also usher in a new era of economic activity in an area that weathered decades of neglect.”
Melanie Collins, Executive Director of LYNC, spoke about Black women as the heart of community. She described the multiple uses for Highpoint, including space for health and wellness business, co-working space, a commercial incubator kitchen, onsite affordable childcare, program space for YouthBuild, and a cultural space managed by BLK Hudson.
Other speakers included RUPCO Board of Directors Chair Eliza Bozenski, ; Joanie Straussman Brandon, Northeast Regional Vice-President of NeighborWorks America; and Sue Weed, Program Director of Newburgh YouthBuild.
The program ended with all RUPCO staff standing to receive applause and a ribbon cutting with the Orange County Chamber of Commerce.