Pictured (l to r): President Katie Geise, Jacqueline Chiarot Phelps, and Matt Mazgaj
Amy Rohler announced our two guests today to explain to new Gateway Lofts Project in Jamestown.
Matt Mazgaj – attorney at Phillips Lytle. Representing Community Helping Hands for the Gateway Lofts project. One of Matt’s important jobs is working to get proper permits secured from the city to make this project a reality.
Jacqueline Chiarot Phelps – Executive Director at the Jamestown YWCA and former representative for Congressman Tom Reed. Jacqueline’s roll in the project deals with transitional housing for women and children.
Matt explained that there is a housing problem in Chautauqua County. The problem includes financial and social costs and an uptick in needed services is being seen in the community.
The Gateway Lofts project is a multi-family housing complex, providing residents on-site services and support by community service organizations and non-profits, located at 31 Water Street (former Chautauqua Hardware Building), Jamestown NY. The project will utilize the 100,000+ square footage of undeveloped space at the Gateway Center.
The focus of Gateway Lofts is on the people it will assist. It is in close proximity to wrap around services like Mental Health Association, Community Helping Hands, St. Susan's, etc. The proximity of these agencies to the Gateway Lofts provide the best possible foundation to reduce poverty, address homelessness, overcome mental health and substance abuse barriers for individuals and families.
The Gateway Lofts will be a 4 floor project.
4th Floor – Non-violent offender rehabilitation program for Chautauqua County residents (25 units) – Men and Women – STEL operates and provides programming. 24/7 staffing.
3rd Floor – Permanent, supportive housing for homeless single parents and children (16 units) – YWCA of Jamestown provides the programming. 24/7 staffing.
2nd Floor – Affordable housing for the income-eligible (38 units), mostly 2 and 3 bedrooms.
1st Floor – Upgrade and rehab to non-profit space, including upgrades to parking lot, roof, flooring, HVAC, lighting, playground space for residents, and green space along the river.
The Gateway Lofts project will empower single families with children to transition out of generational poverty. The project will also provide services to people who need a hand up!
Benefits of the Gateway Lofts Project:
- Meets a need for housing
- Cost-effective
- Neighborhood revitalization
- Access to wrap-around care
Benefits to city of Jamestown:
- Investment of nearly $31M into the City
- Not an expense of the City or County
- City will be paid property taxes
- Remediate a brownfield
- Extend the Riverwalk
- First responder savings
The $31 million dollar price tag will be almost fully funded with various tax credits, community investment funds, supportive housing programs and Senator Cathy Young.