Local and state officials gathered this week to mark the start of construction on Coventry Commons, a $59 million affordable housing development that will bring new life to the long-vacant Reed Manufacturing complex in the heart of Newark.
Backed by Governor Kathy Hochul’s statewide housing initiative and Newark’s Downtown Revitalization Initiative, the project will convert the historic brick factory and office buildings into 101 energy-efficient apartments. All units will be reserved for households earning up to 80 percent of the Area Median Income.
“This development will transform a vacant historic site into 101 affordable apartments,” Governor Hochul said in a statement. “As we strive to develop more affordable housing opportunities across the state, we are grateful for our partnerships with certified Pro-Housing Communities like Newark who understand the value of investing in the future of New York.”
Newark Mayor Jonathan Taylor welcomed the project as a major step in addressing local housing needs. “Newark has a need for housing for young professionals and those who would like to age in place,” Taylor said. “Coventry Commons will be a big step towards filling the housing needs in our community.”
The former Reed Manufacturing Company site, listed on the State and National Registers of Historic Places, has stood empty since 2005. Once nationally known for producing enamelware, the facility’s transformation will create 96 apartments in the original three-story factory building and five additional units in a neighboring office structure.
The project’s developers, Housing Visions and NEW CDM, LLC, emphasized their focus on community impact. “Saving this historic building and repurposing it to meet a real need in the community has been at the heart of Coventry Commons from day one,” said NEW CDM’s Christopher Pisanti and Cory Bendekovic. “We’re incredibly grateful for the overwhelming support we’ve received — not just from our state and local partners, but from the residents of Newark.”
The project is supported by a broad coalition of state agencies. Empire State Development contributed $2 million through the Downtown Revitalization Initiative, while the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation facilitated state and federal tax credits worth nearly $11.5 million. Additional funding comes from New York State Homes and Community Renewal, NYSERDA’s Clean Energy Initiative, and low-income housing tax credits.
“This $59 million project not only preserves a piece of Newark’s rich history but also creates 101 energy-efficient apartments for working families,” said RuthAnne Visnauskas, commissioner of New York State Homes and Community Renewal. “Coventry Commons is a shining example of how we can address New York’s housing crisis by transforming vacant, historic properties into vibrant, affordable homes.”
The energy-efficient, all-electric complex will include sustainable design features such as air-tight construction, heat pump technology, and drought-tolerant landscaping. Amenities for residents will include a fitness room, co-working spaces, free Wi-Fi, and an upgraded on-site playground.
“This landmark building will be retrofitted with sustainable construction standards and modern efficiency technology, bringing new life to this vacant site,” said Doreen M. Harris, president and CEO of NYSERDA.
The Coventry Commons project is part of Governor Hochul’s broader $25 billion housing plan, which has already created or preserved nearly 60,000 affordable homes across New York. In Wayne County alone, nearly 400 homes have been supported through state initiatives in the last five years.
“The transformation of this former manufacturing site reflects the administration’s commitment to preserving New York history while building its future,” said Empire State Development CEO Hope Knight.
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