It was a busy spring at our latest residential development, Sol Apartments, and not just because of all the construction!

On April 14, we were honored to host Governor Kathy Hochul for a hard hat tour of Sol to highlight the Governor’s “Let Them Build” agenda, a series of landmark reforms to speed up housing and infrastructure development and lower costs. To create more affordable and sustainable housing, Governor Hochul has proposed to amend the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA) to exempt from SEQRA review certain types of housing that have no significant adverse impacts on the environment. Housing exempted from SEQRA will still be required to comply with crucial State environmental protections governing water use, air quality, and protection of natural resources. The proposal does not supersede local zoning and other state and local permitting requirements, and exempted housing also must be located outside of flood risk areas in order to qualify.

“Sol Apartments has taken over four years to realize. In addition to all the challenges commensurate with building on a post urban renewal infill site, The Rosenblum Companies – like many in our industry – has faced double-digit inflation, supply chain issues, skilled labor shortages, tariffs, and more,” said Jeff Mirel, a Principal of The Rosenblum Companies. “That’s why we appreciate Governor Hochul’s efforts through her Let Them Build agenda to reduce the uncertainty, cost and prolonged timelines of the State’s current SEQRA review for much needed new housing.”

Governor Hochul was joined for the tour by City of Troy Mayor Carmella Mantello and Troy City Council President, Sue Steele, along with Albany Mayor Dr. Dorcey Applyrs, Cohoes Mayor William Keeler, Hudson Mayor Joseph Ferris, Rensselaer Mayor John DeFrancesco, Watervliet Mayor Charles Patricelli, and Assemblymember John McDonald.

Later in the month and just in time for Earth Day, we welcomed Doreen Harris, President & CEO of the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), to Sol Apartments, the City of Troy’s first all‑electric, zero‑emission multifamily residential building. Sol is a Round Three winner of the Buildings of Excellence Competition, administered by NYSERDA. Buildings of Excellence recognizes exemplary design, construction, and operation of clean, resilient, carbon‑neutral‑ready multifamily buildings. NYSERDA has been a steadfast partner over multiple projects, so we were excited to show Doreen and her team around Sol, one of our most ambitious projects to date, and one which would not have been possible without NYSERDA’s investment!

To learn more about Sol Apartments or to apply, visit www.sol.apartments.

Photos courtesy of Mike Groll, Office of Governor Kathy Hochul; Glen Stacey, NYSERDA

Learn More: Governor Hochul joins Capital Region leaders to highlight the Let Them Build agenda