$41M upgrade begins on Rome Colonial II Apartments for seniors and people with disabilities

Edward Harris, Observer-Dispatch
·2 min read

Construction has begun on the $41 million rehabilitation and modernization of Colonial II Apartments in Rome.

The upgrades will preserve and improve 74 homes for seniors and people with disabilities, according to a statement from Gov. Kathy Hochul’s office.

Groundbreaking on the project took place Wednesday.

Construction has begun on the $41 million rehabilitation and modernization of Colonial II Apartments in Rome with an official groundbreaking ceremony on Wednesday, June 8.
Construction has begun on the $41 million rehabilitation and modernization of Colonial II Apartments in Rome with an official groundbreaking ceremony on Wednesday, June 8.

The project was awarded $1 million through the Buildings of Excellence Competition to achieve net-zero carbon emissions. It also is part of Hochul’s $25 billion, five-year comprehensive housing plan.

"As we strive to make New York more equitable, it is critical that we provide vulnerable and senior New Yorkers with access to affordable housing that allows them to live with the safety and security they deserve," Hochul said in a statement. "This affordable housing development project will provide Rome's seniors and those with disabilities a modern and highly energy-efficient building that will improve their quality of life, strengthen the community they call home, and help achieve New York's long-term climate goals."

The apartments are located at 310 Cottage St. in Rome and are owned and operated by the Rome Housing Authority.

The seven-story building originally opened in 1972 as a school and dormitory and was converted to public housing in 1984, the state said. The building has never been upgraded prior to this rehabilitation and has become functionally obsolete.

The renovations will reconfigure apartment sizes, which are currently too small to remain viable. When complete, the building will offer 74 one-bedroom apartments for seniors and people with disabilities, with amenities including communal spaces, laundry facilities and an outdoor courtyard for recreation.

According to the state, the building will be redesigned to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by utilizing heating and cooling service from onsite geothermal wells connected to individual ground source heat pumps, individual energy recovery ventilators to provide fresh air and exhaust stale air, central heat pump hot water heaters with a recirculation loop, and a vast solar photovoltaic array to cover 98 percent of the annual electricity production in the building.

Construction has begun on the $41 million rehabilitation and modernization of Colonial II Apartments in Rome. Pictured is an exterior shot of the building.
Construction has begun on the $41 million rehabilitation and modernization of Colonial II Apartments in Rome. Pictured is an exterior shot of the building.

This project's rehabilitation includes replacement of the existing building's exterior walls with a highly efficient, and cost-effective system of exterior window and wall panels. These new panels will provide a stronger and more durable exterior that will help to reduce energy costs.

Renovations to Colonial I Apartments were completed in 2019. Colonial I offers 83 affordable homes for seniors and people with disabilities.

“The modernization of the Colonial II Apartments will preserve and enhance much-needed public housing for the elderly and disabled of Rome,” said Oneida County Executive Anthony Picente Jr. in a statement. “This first-of-its-kind net-zero carbon project will be a model for energy efficiency. I commend the Rome Housing Authority for its vision and thank New York State for the funding to make it happen.”

Ed Harris is the Oneida County reporter for the Observer-Dispatch. Email Ed Harris at EHarris1@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Observer-Dispatch: Rome Colonial II Apartments rehabilitation construction begins