Key facts
- A former World War I factory in Tupper Lake, New York, is being converted into 80 affordable housing units.
- The project received significant state and federal tax credits for its development and historic preservation.
- The initiative aims to address a long-standing housing shortage for workers in the Adirondack Park region.
- The repurposed factory will also feature brewery space, co-working areas, and storage units.
A former World War I factory in Tupper Lake, New York, is undergoing a significant transformation into 80 units of affordable and workforce housing. Developers broke ground on the project at the former Oval Wood Dish Factory, aiming to alleviate a critical housing shortage in the Adirondack Park region. This initiative comes as many resort towns nationwide struggle to house service workers due to rising costs from second homes and short-term rentals.
The Tupper Lake project received substantial financial backing, including $23.8 million in state Low-Income Housing Tax credits from New York State Homes and Community Renewal and Empire State Development. Additionally, Foss & Company secured $8 million in federal historic tax credits and $4.95 million in state historic tax credits for the adaptive reuse of the historic industrial site. Governor Kathy Hochul praised the project as a model of collaboration.
The Oval Wood Dish Factory, originally opened in 1916 and closed in 1964, had been largely underutilized. It was recognized for its historic significance with listings on state and national registers in 2021. The redevelopment plans include not only the 80 apartments, which will be available to households earning up to 90% of the area median income, but also brewery space, co-working facilities, and storage units.
The region has grappled with a housing deficit for years, impacting local businesses that rely on a stable workforce. A 2023 study indicated that a significant percentage of employers had lost potential hires due to housing unavailability. The Adirondack North Country Association has cautioned that towns risk losing essential workers if more housing options are not created. Construction is anticipated to be completed by the end of 2027, with pre-leasing beginning the following summer.