Rome Wasn't Built in a Day

It was nearly four years ago, on October 23, 2019, that Kamal Johnson, then mayor presumptive, was interviewed on Channel 10 News. In the interview, he talked about having "a huge plan for housing" that he had been working on "for about a year now." Soon after, what seemed to be the first element of Johnson's housing plan emerged: the Galvan Foundation's proposal for North Seventh Street, which over time evolved from one mixed-income building at 75 North Seventh Street into two buildings--one low-income and other "workforce"--facing each other on opposite sides of the street. 

The plans for the "Depot District" completed their reviews by city regulatory boards more than a year ago. In the summer of 2022, Galvan failed to get the necessary funding for 75 North Seventh Street, the building proposed for the west side of the street, from NYS Homes and Community Renewal. They reapplied in December 2022, but it seems they didn't get funding in that round either. There has been no recent word about funding for the building proposed for 75 North Seventh Street. 

Meanwhile, preparation has begun for constructing 76 North Seventh Street, the building on the east side of the street, sometimes described as "workforce housing," sometimes described as "middle-income housing." This building is being financed with private funding sources. 

For the past week or so, a trailer belonging to Baxter Construction, the general contractor for the project, has been parked in the staging area next to Upper Depot Brewing Co.

Although the trailer is in place, and things appear to be in readiness, there is no sign that any actual work was begun on the site.

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