Housing planned for struggling veterans approved in DeWitt

TOWN OF DEWITT – The DeWitt Planning Board unanimously approved plans last week to convert an East Syracuse hotel into a specialized shelter for struggling veterans.
Located off Carrier Circle between Joey’s Restaurant and a Dunkin’ Donuts, the Magnuson Hotel at 6590 Thompson Road will become transitional housing for former service members facing mental health issues, substance abuse problems, poverty, homelessness and other circumstances considered debilitating. This joint clinical and residential resource is steered by the Altamont Program, a division of Peter Young Housing, Industries and Treatment that assists in getting these male residents healthier, back on their feet and back into the communities of Syracuse and Buffalo.
“They’ve all served their country, but through no fault of their own, they’ve become displaced and they need help,” said Philip Stokes, the local executive director for the program.
The nonprofit also receives referrals from the Syracuse VA Medical Center and works with an external case management team as veterans leave the premises after their six-month-long or further extended stays.
The Altamont Program’s Syracuse chapter has operated for the last quarter century out of a currently 100-year-old building at 420 Gifford St. That site, located next to St. Lucy’s Parish, will be closed with the move to Thompson Road. The more spacious Carrier Circle facility can house an extra 20-or-so residents according to Peter Kelsey, the program’s chief operating officer. Each veteran will be provided his own living area, bedroom and bathroom as well as fresh-made meals.
No zone change was required with the planning board’s approval on March 24, and the proposal was submitted independent of the decision to put the Joey’s property up for sale.
The Altamont Program’s relocation is expected to take place within the next 90 days, but residents most likely won’t be moving in until late June or early July, Kelsey said.
The program is anticipating an additional expense of $100,000 for the project, an amount that it hopes to fundraise to allow for the creation of an exterior restoration area.
That environment would consist of a courtyard designated for the congregation of veterans in the sunlight and fresh air. External lighting, striping and dumpsters will also be added.