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Developer: Glenfield elementary school to be converted into 63 affordable apartments; construction financing targeted for fall closing
Summary
Rochester Cornerstone Group told Lewis County legislators it won state tax-credit awards and aims to close on construction financing and county site acquisition this fall; the project will adaptively reuse Glenfield Elementary and add a new 34-unit building to total 63 apartments.
Ryan Brandt, a Rochester Cornerstone Group representative, updated the Lewis County committee on plans to redevelop the former Glenfield Elementary School in Martinsburg into 63 apartments called General Martin Apartments.
Brandt said Rochester Cornerstone Group is both the developer and long-term manager of the property and expects to staff the site with two on-site employees for management and maintenance. He described a two-building plan: adaptive reuse of the school for 29 units and new construction of 34 units adjacent to the site, for a total of 63 apartments.
Brandt reviewed the project's funding history. The developer applied to New York State Homes and Community Renewal (HCR) in fall 2023 and was not awarded funding that cycle. He said the team resubmitted in fall 2024 and received an award announced in March that included low-income housing tax credits and a low-interest state loan. The project also received a Restore New York Empire State Development award tied to repurposing vacant properties.
Brandt said his team is working with Purcell Construction, Opportunity & Courier (civil engineering), and SWBR (architecture). He said the project was “almost at the point where we've got a, a confirmed timeline with the state on when we would be closing,” and that the current draft targets closing on construction financing and county site acquisition this fall. He described an expected 14–16 month construction schedule that would aim for occupancy about the start of 2027.
Brandt said marketing will follow the state's prescribed marketing and lottery procedures for affordable units; everyone must qualify and meet eligibility requirements. He said Cornerstone Property Managers (a Cornerstone subsidiary) will handle leasing and long-term property management; the developer will maintain reserve accounts and be subject to audits by lenders and the state.
A committee member asked who would serve as the county contact for project updates; Brandt said Robert Gruner Loud (a Cornerstone employee and local property owner) will be the primary contact and will handle construction administration. Brandt said Cornerstone expects “a lot of communication needed over the next 5 months” with county staff and agencies, including the IDA.
Ending: Brandt left committee members with a timeline and the commitment that the developer will return with further updates as state-closing milestones approach.
