319 William Street

The Reynolds Way Apartments project for Arbor Housing and Development brings new affordable housing to Historic Downtown Elmira through the rehabilitation of a scattered group of long-underutilized buildings, including the property on William Street. Rather than relying on new construction alone, the project invests in existing neighborhood fabric, transforming formerly vacant and blighted buildings into safe, efficient, and character-rich apartments.

The work is part of a broader downtown housing effort that includes buildings on East Church Street, Academy Place, and William Street. Together, these rehabilitated properties create a network of affordable apartments within walking distance of downtown services, employment, and community amenities. The completed project includes a mix of studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom units, supporting a range of household needs while returning historic buildings to active residential use.

The design approach balances preservation and practicality. Existing features such as wood floors, fireplaces, staircases, doors, trim, and built-in elements were preserved where possible, allowing the individual character of each building to remain visible within the new apartments. At the same time, the project introduced modern building systems, energy-efficient upgrades, code improvements, and durable finishes necessary for long-term affordable housing.

Reynolds Way demonstrates how adaptive reuse can support both community revitalization and housing access. By restoring existing buildings and placing them back into productive use, the project strengthens the surrounding neighborhood while advancing Arbor Housing and Development’s mission of creating safe, stable, and affordable housing opportunities.

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