A plan to transform a former convent and college campus in Syracuse, New York, into a low-income senior housing complex is being complicated by persistent vandalism at the property.
Syracuse.com reported the former Sisters of St. Francis convent and Maria Regina College property has been repeatedly targeted by miscreants that have stolen light fixtures, doors, banisters, copper piping and wiring, stained glass windows and parts of a church organ. Windows at the property have also been smashed and a fire was last year that damaged a floor and filled the building with smoke.
While the vandalism will not deter the project from going forward, the disruptions and destruction are increasing the costs on the project, which was originally budgeted at $100 million.
“It’s $100 million in investment,” said Eric Ennis, Syracuse’s deputy commissioner of business development. “That’s an unprecedented investment for that neighborhood. We want to see that property put back to productive use.”
;
