SKANEATELES — As far back as 1977, there was concern about available village located housing for seniors, and those of limited or fixed incomes. A letter to the village planning board stated a number of senior citizens were forced to move from the Village and Town of Skaneateles because they could no longer afford to maintain their homes or apartments be reason of advanced age or low incomes or both. January 9, 1978, Mayor Carl Fisher, appointed five members to the newly formed Skaneateles Housing Authority. Village Trustee Francis Sheehan became the village’s representative on the authority and would serve as chairman. The Housing Authority would be responsible for carrying through on the village board’s proposal to construct a 48-unit complex for area senior citizens. The Housing Authority would operate the complex.
The authority sent out a survey questionnaire in the December 1977 village electric bills asking “would you be willing to move in if an apartment was available within the next 12 months?” There were 45 affirmative responses, and 50 ‘maybe’ replies out of 165 surveys returned. A second survey was sent out asking income information that was needed by The Farmers Home Administration, the possible lender for this project. The survey also mentioned a possibility of subsidized rents, having to pay no more than 25% of their incomes, and with a base rent, including utilities, of $140 a month. The second survey came back with 87 people interested with another 65 ‘maybes’.
Nov. 11, 1978, the Housing Authority filed for a building permit. Local Architect Michael Suttoni drew up a site plan of the proposed complex. Considering a number of financing possibilities, among them private financing and private development, the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Farmers Home Administration, the Housing Authority chose FHA financing under their Rural Housing Loan Program. The project was for 47 units budgeted at $1,200,000
The project was on village land east of the Fennell Street fire station. However, a separate entrance off Jordan Street was needed. The house at 55 Jordan St. was originally owned by Charles Pardee in 1866, followed by Jacob Dewitt, and then Kenneth and Elizabeth Poole Cook. In 1973 it was owned by Elizabeth Cook and Sally Snyder. Cook’s estate sold all interest to Snyder in 1975 for $7,500. September 1978, Snyder sold the property to the village for $35,000. The village rented out the house for a time. A 1979 photo shows “Hotel California” sign over the front porch. The actual Hotel California is located 1,000 miles south of San Diego in Mexico, and was made famous by the rock band The Eagles. September of 1980, the village transferred ownership to the Housing Authority with a stated value of $50,000.
There were zoning issues that needed adjustment for this project. Hearings for environmental quality review and critical impact of the project were held. The Mercantile District needed to be extended up Jordan Street to take in the 55 Jordan St. property.
A notice in the March 14, 1979 Skaneateles Press said in part, “there are no funds for building the project as yet.” Sept. 19, 1979, Skaneateles Housing Authority Chairman Sheehan said about FHA funding, “Frankly we are still in limbo. We expect to hear about receiving funds by mid-October.”
Advertising for bids for the senior citizen housing began on Aug. 20, 1980. Bid opening will be Sept. 10, 1980. The construction industry was in a slump. Bidding for the Skaneateles project was ‘hot and heavy’ bringing construction costs well below estimates. There were 22 bids. According to Architect Suttoni, who designed the now 32 unit complex, general construction, plumbing, heating and electrical totaled $549,451 about $100,000 below construction estimates. Other costs include acquisition of the property from the village, legal and architectural fees, and consultation with the Christopher Community, Inc. organization. Including these fees, the project was expected to be well below budget.
The Housing Authority awarded the bids to Samuel Kosoff & Sons of Syracuse $431,800 for general construction, Cliff Abrams of Skaneateles $53,870 for heating and electrical work, ABL Plumbing of Syracuse $63,781for plumbing. The winning bidders were approved by Farmers Home Administration, who was financing the project with a $900,000 low interest loan.
The final revision described as: “composed of two wood frame two-story wings connected by a one-story entry area….off Jordan Street behind the fire station. It will contain 32 one-bedroom units, 16 in each wing, with three fully equipped for the handicapped. Each apartment will have 575 square feet of living space. Joining the wings will be an area containing a community room and an administrative office. There will be a covered entryway and a seating patio off the community room. Safety features will include emergency buzzers, fire alarms and smoke detectors. The outside will have fairly extensive landscaping.”
At a Sept. 22, 1980 village board meeting, the mayor was granted permission to enter into agreements with the Housing Authority for the Village DPW to pave the driveways and parking areas, saving money, and for the Village Light Department to purchase electrical equipment, transformers and conduits and wire for the project.
Forty years ago, in October of 1981, excited senior citizens were carrying in boxes, a jumble of furniture, and arms full of clothing through the doors of this newly opened senior center, called Village Landing. (this name was suggested by the town historian because it was at the end of the lake. Other similar complexes in Central New York picked up the ‘landing’ name)
They were happy to leave behind their expensive houses or apartments and become the first tenants of this new senior complex off Jordan Street that was seven years in the making.
Some residents looked forward to a more simple life. They would not need to care for lawns in the summer, or rake leaves in the fall. Someone would see that the snow was cleared for them in the winter. Indoor post boxes even saved them from needing to go outdoors in inclement weather to get their mail. The grocery store, the drug stores and the post office all within walking distance. The library would see that there were plenty of books to read. Making friends was also important. Plenty of social events of all kinds would be planned by the residents. And day or night, if someone needed help, someone was always handy.
The Christopher Community, Inc. of Syracuse, involved from early-on, became responsible for the operation and maintenance of Village Landing. They operate numerous similar facilities throughout Central New York.
By Jorge and Beth Batlle
Skaneateles Municipal Historians
