Henrietta awarded pro-housing grant to extend Fair Avenue and open site for about 20 affordable homes

Henrietta officials announced at their Jan. 2 meeting that the town has been awarded a pro-housing grant to extend Fair Avenue, construct a cul‑de‑sac and move a sewer main to open three parcels for development that could yield about 20 affordable homes.

The town supervisor said the award supports extending Fair Avenue to East Henrietta Road, potentially adding a traffic signal subject to New York State Department of Transportation approval. The project also includes relocating a sewer main that now bisects parcels and makes them difficult to develop; property owners have agreed to dedicate rightsof‑way so the town will not have to purchase easements.

Why it matters: The extension would create new developable parcels and aims to produce affordable housing near transit and community amenities. The supervisor noted the site is on an existing bus loop and within walking distance of the library, recreation center, grocery and pharmacies, which are factors that support affordable-housing siting.

Who will develop the housing remains to be finalized. The supervisor said the town is “working with the Rochester Cornerstone Group to make it affordable” and that the final mix could include senior affordable units, housing for working families or a mix of types. Some units would be town-supported or developed through a partnership; other parcels may be privately developed.

The transcript records the grant announcement but does not clearly capture the award amount. The supervisor's remarks in the meeting include a garbled numeric reference (transcript: “$3.2 $2 million”); the recorded amount is therefore listed here as not specified in the meeting record. The board said they have “started the paperwork for that project,” indicating the town is in early implementation and coordination stages.

Direct quote: Supervisor Schultz said the town “was awarded the … pro housing grant for Fair Avenue extension … as well as a cul‑de‑sac for 20 affordable homes,” and described the plan to work with developers and state agencies on signalization and sewer relocation.

Next steps: The town will pursue required approvals with NYSDOT for signal installation if eligible, finalize agreements with development partners, and complete required grant paperwork. The board did not vote on construction contracts at the meeting; procurement and contracting for the work will follow standard bid and approval processes.