New York Senator Charles Schumer says he will work hard to ensure that the proposed project to transform the old Holley High School into senior housing and Holley Village office space will receive tax credits.
Senator Schumer was in the Village of Holley November 11 to announce that he is pushing to secure $3.7 million in housing and historic tax credits for the restoration/renovation project proposed by Home Leasing, LLC of Rochester. Schumer called the project a labor of love by Nelson Leenhouts, chairman and CEO of Home Leasing. “This building has been for years and years vacant,” the senator said, “it has needed some real TLC for the last 30 years.”
The tax credits are the “lynch pin” to move the project forward, Senator Schumer explained. He noted that federal investment is critical to making the project a reality. “I’ll be fighting tooth and nail to get this done,” he said.
The old Holley High School was built in 1931 in the neo-classical revival style and the renovation proposal calls for 41 mixed-income units for seniors, new village office space and a restoration of the auditorium for public events.
Specifically, Schumer is urging the National Parks Service and its state partner, the NYS Office of Historic Preservation, as well as the Treasury Department and its state partner, the NYS Office of Homes and Community Renewal to allocate more than $3 million in historic preservation tax credits and $700,000 in housing tax credits.
Schumer said the housing credits will leverage more than $7.1 million in private investment as part of the overall $17 million redevelopment plan. The project is expected to create 64 construction jobs during the 15-month construction period and two full-time jobs once the construction is complete.
Village of Holley Mayor Brian Sorochty thanked village, town, Orleans County and state officials as well as Senator Schumer for their efforts on behalf of the project. “There is a huge spirit of cooperation,” Mayor Sorochty said. “Senator Schumer has been a huge advocate of the project and of the Village of Holley.”
Developer Nelson Leenhouts attended the announcement. “We’ve never been welcomed with such open arms,” he said of the Holley and Orleans County community. “We are grateful for Senator Schumer’s unwavering support of the housing and historic tax credits necessary to save community landmarks like the Holley High School,” Leenhouts added in a statement. “Redevelopment of this community landmark will provide a significant economic boost to the community and provide 41 new, affordable apartments to area seniors who can age in a place near friends, families and houses of worship.”
