Sen. Griffo announces $1.5 million in State Funding to demolish abandoned housing in City of Rome

ROME - State Senator Joseph A. Griffo of Rome and Assemblyman Anthony Brindisi of Utica today announced the awarding of $1.5 million in state funding for the demolition of the former Woodhaven Housing Complex in Rome, and  the future marketing of the Woodhaven and former Wright Park Estates sites.

The funding comes from the State’s Economic Transformation Fund to assist communities that have been affected by the closing of a state prison.  The Oneida Correctional Facility was closed by the state in 2011.  The money will be used to demolish existing abandoned houses in the former Woodhaven development.  The City also plans to utilize the funding for the redevelopment of the Woodhaven site, and the former Wright Park Manor housing development, for new housing, and potential light retail projects.

Standing outside the former Woodhaven housing complex, Brindisi and Griffo both acknowledged and expressed their appreciation for the advocacy of Oneida County Executive Anthony J. Picente, Jr.; former Rome Mayor Joseph Fusco, Jr.; and current Rome Mayor Jacqueline Izzo in successfully obtaining the funding.

“This project is essential to the continued redevelopment of the Rome area.  For years, people living near the eyesores at Woodhaven have had to contend with abandoned properties that are fire and safety hazards.  These houses have been an unwelcome landmark that hurt the city’s progress.  This funding is going to make a tremendous difference in the city’s quality of life, and will also add some new, much-needed modern housing options for residents,” said Griffo.

“This funding will eliminate some very significant eyesores near the Griffiss Business and Technology Park, and will make a large site available to the City of Rome for marketing.  Both the former Woodhaven complex and the Wright Park Manor site are prime areas for development.  With the area’s economic rebound, these will be attractive locations for new housing that will bring more people to the Rome area, and we thank Governor Cuomo for realizing the importance of this project” said Brindisi.

"This $1.5 million in state funding for the demolition of the former Woodhaven Housing Complex in Rome is a significant step towards the redevelopment of these sites and the City of Rome. I want to thank Senator Griffo and Assemblyman Brindisi for working together, with the Mayor and I, to create this opportunity,” said Oneida County Executive Anthony J. Picente, Jr.

“We applaud Senator Griffo and Assemblyman Brindisi for securing this much needed funding to eliminate a longstanding eyesore in our community. With its proximity to the Griffiss Park and the newly renovated MVCC campus, this will be an important neighborhood mixed use redevelopment project for the City of Rome. We also want to thank Fred Arcuri and Christian Mercurio at Mohawk Valley EDGE for their hard work to help us secure the ESD funding, and also the close working relationship we have fostered on this project as we move forward with a mixed use redevelopment project at the Park Drive and former Wright Park Manor sites. Projects such as this clearly fit with County Executive Picente’s Vision 20/20 and we thank him as well for the support of Oneida County as we move forward,” said Rome Mayor Jacqueline Izzo.

“The redevelopment of the Woodhaven Housing Complex is an essential step in the continued revitalization of the city of Rome. ESD's support for this project will help to bolster the local economy and improve quality of life for Rome residents, and paves the way for new housing and retail developments that will positively impact the Mohawk Valley regional economy,” said Kenneth Tompkins, Mohawk Valley Region Director, Empire State Development.

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