Construction on Albany’s Sheridan Avenue has begun.
“This is bigger than the house,” said Albany County Land Bank Corporation Adam Zaranko during a groundbreaking ceremony Thursday. “It’s essentially going to be a home that a family can own for the first time.”
Utilizing a small lot is not typical with most affordable housing projects.
“What we’re building here is a single-family home that’s detached,” Zaranko said. “Just like any other home you’d think of that fits on a lot that has access to the side yards and backyard. It’s going to be two stories.”
YouthBuild Albany provides young adults with hands-on learning opportunities and a crack at making a difference in their communities.
“People are going to walk around, they’re going to see it and they’re going to feel great about seeing young people putting in the work,” said Anthony Frier.
Construction has always been on the 23-year-old Frier’s radar.
“I can’t do retail; I don’t like standing there,” he said. “I’d rather be working the whole day, getting my hands dirty.”
And that’s just the opportunity that awaits him.
“If I was in another program right now, I wouldn’t have my OSHA-10,” Frier said. “But I have it right now.”
Workforce development is a bonus takeaway from this new project and partnership.
“When they leave, they are certified industry-recognized credentials and construction skills,” said SEAT Center Founder and CEO Jennifer Lawrence. “So you go from ‘I don’t know how to use this’ to now I built a whole home.”
“We’re trying to be part of the solution and unwind some complicated problems,” Zaranko said.