Cambray Court Apartments Celebrates Grand Reopening with 21 New Housing Units
GOUVERNEUR – In 2017 Gouverneur’s Cambray Housing Corporation celebrated the grand reopening of Cambray Terrace knowing that a renovation project at Cambray Court Apartments was up next.
“It’s been a lot of work and a long time coming, but we’re finally here,” said Cambray Housing Corporation President Ronald P. McDougall, who also serves as mayor in the village of Gouverneur.
The fully renovated complex includes 21 apartments spread across two buildings along the waterfront of the Oswegatchie River.
“There is a shortage of quality, affordable housing in New York and in particular Northern New York,” Mr. McDougall said. “The completion of this project brings some much-needed public housing upgrades to the village.”
Project Consultant Gary Hallock has been working with the Cambray Housing Corporation since this project first began six years ago.
“You have no idea what it’s like to work on a project of this magnitude through a recession,” he said. “There were many challenges along the way, including both supply chain and financial challenges, but I’m happy to say we’ve made it to the finish line.”
Financial partners in the project included a $4.4 million construction loan from Community Bank combined with a $350,000 Federal Home Loan Banking Grant, $3.4 million from the New York State Department of Housing and Community Renewal, and $160,000 from the St. Lawrence County Community Development Agency. One million was provided by the Development Authority of the North Country for pre-construction, and planning expenses.
“We would have never made it to this point if it weren’t for our financial partners, many of whom are represented in this room today,” Mr. Hallock said prior to the ribbon cutting.
State Assemblyman Ken Blankenbush was also in attendance. “I go to a lot of ribbon cuttings and the one thing I’ve learned is it’s usually the work of other people, not me, who get these things done,” he said.
The opening of the 21-unit Cambray Court Apartments combined with the 71-unit Cambray Terrace, now gives the village more than 90 units of high-quality, affordable housing along the Oswegatchie River.
Both properties are operated by the United Helpers Management Company, which oversees operations for more than 20 housing complexes across St. Lawrence and Jefferson counties.
United Helpers Community Housing Director Beth Snyder said she was pleased to see the project now complete.
“Thank you all for your support during this project. We’re very excited to finally get this done.”
If you are interested in an apartment at Cambray Court Apartments, Cambray Terrace, or any of the company’s other housing complexes, please reach out to Admissions Coordinator Macaula Drake at (315) 714-3129 ext. 5512 or visit www.unitedhelpers.org to learn more.
