Have you seen the updates being made to 71 Liberty lately? It looks phenomenal. Imagine if all the adjoining properties could be restored like this? We are all looking forward to seeing the new business that will move in soon.
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Developments
Since completing the East Parmenter neighborhood, Habitat for Humanity has been keeping up with new projects in the city. The picture above is of 55 Chambers Street. This was a gut renovation with some tricky windows. Now, they are getting ready to paint. This section of Chambers, between Broadway and First, is quickly becoming one of the most developed blocks in Newburgh.
Habitat has also been keeping up with its A Brush With Kindness program. Volunteers make smaller upgrades on homes that are close to other Habitat projects to keep the momentum of neighborhood pride and development. Full album is here.
And finally, Habitat is doing a Veterans Build on Clark Street, building 3 new homes where a vacant lot and warehouse used to be. Things are moving fast. Over the weekend the frames were put in place. I’m sure we’ll be seeing siding and roofing up before we know it. Volunteers are always wanted.
-images via Habitat for Humanity Facebook page
Back in October I announced Habitat’s new Live/Work program that is going to be funded by a $100,000 grant. The Newburgh affiliate won over three large affiliates who would have presumably won. With this new rendering we can see what exactly they are proposing on Washington Street. This program is geared toward homeowners who would like to live above their own business. It can include everything from a daycare to an art studio. Overall, the goal is to get back to the original live/work model that we see already in so many cities like Newburgh and, to capitalize on the economic growth that is happening on Liberty Street.
Applications are currently being accepted from families who qualify for the Habitat Homeownership program and have an existing small/micro business or a solid plan to start one. Please contact Clint McNair at 845.568.6035, x. 104 or email him at cmcnair@habitatnewburgh.org.
-Renderings designed by Giovanni Paladino
Tired of seeing pot holes, accumulating garbage or fire hazards? The City of Newburgh just purchased a new app called PublicStuff that will allow residents to report issues with their smart phones. You can take a picture of the issue and upload it to Newburgh’s PublicStuff where specific city departments will receive notices. You can then check back to see when your issue has been resolved. If you have Time Warner you can see this news clip that explains the app.
Habitat for Humanity is known for their work of creating housing for low-income families. So far, in Newburgh, they have constructed or rehabilitated 75 homes in the city. The Newburgh affiliate is now taking on a new challenge, creating live/work opportunities for qualifying families who would also like to open up their own business. This is a major achievement for Newburgh as only 3 grants were awarded to Habitat affiliates across the United States. The other two grants for the live/work program went to Seattle and Austin.
The target area for this new program is Washington Street, more specifically the empty lot next to the old Habitat headquarters. This project is for new construction. Habitat owns 3 of the 5 vacant lots on that site, and will start the live/work program with just one property and eventually complete the remaining 2. Construction for the first building is planned to begin in the Spring of 2015, per the regulations of a $100,000 implementation grant. Habitat already owned these vacant lots and felt this location will flow with the Liberty Street corridor that is already seeing momentum. This site is also in close proximity to their other projects.
The live/work model harks back to the old days over 100 years ago when a business owner ran his business on the first floor of a building, and raised his family on the second floor. This is the exact reason we can see structures like this all over Newburgh on Liberty, William, Washington, Mill and South Street. A live/work space could provide commercial space for professional or community services, retail businesses, food services, light industrial, or creative spaces. Interested parties must qualify for Habitat’s housing program falling within their income brackets, and have a business plan.
Habitat is excited for this project to begin and is already envisioning how this live/work model can be used for historical buildings. In the future they would concentrate their efforts on specific areas and are open to working with other developers. Families can already begin to apply if interested. To apply, contact Clinton McNair, Neighborhood Revitalization Coordinator 845-569-5632 x 104, cmcnair@habitatnewburgh.org
Two weeks ago the city had to clean up 21 and 23 Johnston St which were visibly collapsing for quite a while. The rough winter we had last year really took a toll on the buildings. The clean up cost about $200,000. Now attention is being raised for other buildings in distress like 110-112 Broadway. The owner is not looking to sell, but the building is in serious danger of collapsing. Someone reported bricks falling, and within a few hours the street was closed off.
It’s unclear what the next step will be. Will the owner be forced to make repairs or sell the building to interested parties, like the land bank? Either way, this property is very important for lower Broadway. If it collapses it will just be another empty lot just like a similar one a few feet away. Unfortunately this is a recurring theme in Newburgh. Owners refuse to sell their properties while they continue to deteriorate creating dangerous environments for everyone.
