Empire State Development Announces $5 Million in Funding for New Housing Development in the Town of Greece

Town Will Acquire Property at Greece Ridge Mall for Future Housing Project

Supports the State's Pro-Housing Communities Agenda

Empire State Development (ESD) today announced $5 million in support to the Town of Greece - a Pro-Housing community - to purchase 13 acres of unused property at Greece Ridge Mall for the development of new housing, while helping to ensure the continued success of the storied shopping center as well. The project will include an emphasis on building housing for seniors and other mixed-use opportunities. This public-private partnership supports the governor's nation-leading efforts aimed at addressing New York's housing crisis, making the State more affordable and livable for all New Yorkers.

Governor Hochul said, "My Pro-Housing Communities Program is proving to be a game changer, representing true partnership between the State and localities that ready to take on the housing shortage head on. This project in the Town of Greece will result in additional resources for the community, working as an effective vehicle for aligning housing with local economic development efforts."

State funding will be provided via Empire State Development to the Town of Greece for the purchase and acquisition of two parcels totaling 13.02 acres on the mall property. The Town will then request and manage proposals for housing development in line with their Pro-Housing Community designation and goals.

Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said, "Under Governor Hochul's leadership, New York continues to tackle the statewide housing shortage that impacts families and our economy. By building on this underutilized property, this project will help to maximize local housing opportunities and support investments that drive new economic growth."

Greece Town Supervisor Jeff McCann said, "We're excited to be able to bring more opportunities for Greece's older adults to stay in our community, and as a result, to make more single-family homes available for young families to purchase. Thanks to Governor Hochul and Empire State Development for recognizing the need for housing in the Town of Greece, which remains a highly desirable place to live, work and raise a family."

The 1.63 million square foot Mall at Greece Ridge is managed by Wilmorite Properties and offers a diverse mix of retail outlets. This property sale will expand the uses at the mall property and provide much-needed housing in a manner successfully accomplished at other mall sites such as the Marketplace Senior Apartments at the Wimorite-owned Marketplace Mall, also in Monroe County.

Wilmorite Management Group President Thomas C. Wilmot Jr. said, "Wilmorite is excited to see the interest in housing development at Greece Ridge Center and happy to accommodate by transferring land to the Town of Greece to let Town leadership build the housing mix they deem best suited for the area".

Governor Hochul's Housing Agenda

Since FY23, the Governor has worked to increase housing supply to make housing more affordable by launching a $25 billion five-year comprehensive Housing Plan, enacting the most significant housing deal in decades and implementing new protections for renters and homeowners. Under Governor Hochul's leadership, HCR has created new programs that jumpstart development of affordable and mixed-income homes - for both renters and homebuyers. These include the Pro-Housing Community Program, which allows certified localities exclusive access to up to $750 million in discretionary State funding. More than 450 communities throughout the state have been certified Pro-Housing.

As part of her FY27 Budget, Governor Hochul secured a number of landmark reforms to New York's State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA) to speed up housing and infrastructure development and lower costs as part of her "Let Them Build" agenda. "Let Them Build" also includes executive actions to expedite critical categories of projects that have been consistently found to not have significant environmental impacts, but for too long have been caught up in red tape and subject to lengthy delays.

The FY27 Executive Budget completes the Governor's current five-year Housing Plan to create or preserve 100,000 affordable homes statewide, including 10,000 with support services for vulnerable populations plus the electrification of an additional 50,000 homes. More than 87,000 affordable homes have been created or preserved to date. The Executive Budget also invests $250 million in capital funding to accelerate the construction of thousands of new affordable homes.

New York State Senator Jeremy Cooney said, "At a time when communities across New York are facing a housing crisis, Governor Hochul is stepping up for Upstate. This funding brings new housing and mixed-use opportunities to the Town of Greece, helping to ensure our entire community can thrive. I'm proud to support this initiative as we work to strengthen housing access across the state."

Monroe County Executive Adam Bello said, "Reimagining underutilized spaces like the Greece Ridge Mall into vibrant, mixed-use communities is a creative way to tackle our region's housing needs while strengthening our local economy. This project will create much-needed housing options for seniors and working families right here in Monroe County. Thank you, Governor Hochul, for your continued leadership and steadfast support of innovative projects like this that make our communities more affordable and livable."

About Empire State Development

Empire State Development is New York's chief economic development agency, and promotes business growth, job creation, and greater economic opportunity throughout the state. With offices in each of the state's 10 regions, ESD oversees the Regional Economic Development Councils, supports broadband equity through the ConnectALL office, and is growing the workforce of tomorrow through the Office of Strategic Workforce Development. The agency engages with emerging and next generation industries like clean energy and semiconductor manufacturing looking to grow in New York State, operates a network of assistance centers to help small businesses grow and succeed, and promotes the state's world class tourism destinations through I LOVE NY. For more information, please visit esd.ny.gov, and connect with ESD on LinkedIn, Facebook, and X.

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