Demolition began Wednesday on the former Port Byron Central School as part of a major $28 million housing initiative set to transform the village landscape.
The site at 27-29 Church St., previously known as Church Street Apartments, is being redeveloped by DePaul Properties to create the new Port Byron Apartments. This new development is slated to include 30 supportive housing units for seniors and those with mental health needs, in addition to 39 units for current tenants.
The project, which breathes new life into the historic location, will feature community amenities such as a playground, basketball court, and dog park.
Funding for this revitalization comes from multiple sources, including over $10 million from New York’s Homes and Community Renewal agency and substantial contributions from the Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative and low-income housing tax credits.
The transformation marks a significant change from the site’s origins, as the school once stood as a central educational facility, consolidating about 20 one-room schoolhouses in 1938. As the largest school in Cayuga County at the time, it remained operational until June 1991.
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