Conifer in Rochester Top 100

10/29/2010

The Rochester Business Alliance and KPMG LLP are pleased to honor the 2010 Rochester Top 100 companies. They represent the fastest growing privately held businesses in our region, and as such are a testament to high achievement and role models for success.

This year's Rochester Top 100 is a diverse group, including businesses ranging in size frin 2 to 39,203 employees. Some of the companies are as new as four years in the marketplace; others have been in business for more than a century. They represent diverse sectors of the economy - construction, financial services, manufacturing, retail, service industry, technology and wholesale/distribution.

The entrepreneurial tradition and spirit that built and has sustained the Rochester region is alive and well in this year's Top 100. These companies represent our community well, putting their quality goods and services into local, national and international markets. They also invest daily in the Greater Rochester community and its citizens, so their continued growth is vital to our economic future.

2010 Garden State Award Winner

10/22/2010

The New Jersey Apartment Association (NJAA) announced the winners of the 2010 Garden State Awards on October 21st. Conifer Realty is pleased to announce One Community has won two major awards. Conifer was a finalist in nine NJAA categories.

Congratulations to:
Linden Lake Senior Apartments located in Lindenwold, New Jersey

WINNER 2010 New Jersey Apartment Association
2010 Best Curb Appeal in their category - Affordable / Garden/Low Rise Apartments / Built After 2000

2010 Best Managed Property in their category- Affordable / Garden/Low Rise Apartments / Built After 2000

NJAA Announces Finalists

08/24/2010

MONROE, NJ-AUGUST 19, 2010-New Jersey Apartment Association (NJAA) has announced the finalists for its 17th Annual Garden State Awards, which will be held on Thursday, October 21st at the Hyatt Regency New Brunswick. Finalists were named in forty-five categories, including Management Company of the Year (Affordable), Management Company of the Year (Market Rate), and Regional Manager of the Year.

Finalists include:

Management Company of the Year (Affordable): CIS Management, Inc., Conifer Realty, Moderate Income Management Company, and PRD Management;

Management Company of the Year (Market Rate): Home Properties, Morgan Properties, and Value Companies.

Finalists for Regional Manager of the Year: Jeanne Bermudez (Home Properties), Lorena Gomez (Morgan Properties), Louis Hunter (AvalonBay Communities), Sue McElhatton (PRD Management), and Debbie Quigley (Morgan Properties).

Additional awards will recognize management companies and individuals who have demonstrated excellence in the following categories: Garden/Low-rise, Mid/High-Rise, Curb Appeal (Affordable and Market Rate), Property Manager, Leasing Agent, Activities Coordinator, Resident Maintenance Manager, Maintenance Supervisor, Maintenance Technician, Groundskeeper/Porter, Corporate Staff, Property Staff, Owner Management Company Best Website, and Apartment Community Best Website. These topics are further divided by region, and date of building.

The Awards & Recognition Dinner will be held at the Hyatt New Brunswick on Thursday, October 21, 2010. The cocktail reception will begin at 5:30PM, followed by dinner and the awards presentation at 7:00PM. Tickets purchased before October 1st are $130 per person. After October 1st, the price is $155 per person. Non member pricing varies so please call. Guests are asked to bring a new, unwrapped toy to the event, which will be distributed at the NJAA Children’s Holiday Party for underprivileged children. All toy donors will receive a raffle ticket for a chance to win one of many great prizes.

Sponsors for the Garden State Awards include Applied Development Company as a Signature Sponsor, Conifer Realty as a Cocktail Sponsor and LEW Corporation a Centerpiece Sponsor.

For more information about the 17th Annual Garden State Awards, please contact Michelle Rogala at 732-992-0606 or visit www.njaa.com.

Jerome Senior Apartments ready for viewing

08/23/2010

By Joanne Beck

BATAVIA - Despite some architectural challenges, putting a senior-based apartment complex next door to a fitness facility, hospital wellness program, diagnostics center and Office for the Aging now seems like a stroke of genius.

It just happened to work out that three floors of the former St. Jerome Hospital were vacant for the project, said Dan Ireland, vice president of operations at United Memorial Medical Center.

"There are always surprises when going into a structure that's already there," he said Wednesday during a tour of the new Jerome Senior Apartments at 18 Bank St. "It turned out to be an ideal location."

Public tours will be available during the hospital's health fair from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday, 16 Bank St.

Construction on the apartment project began in October 2009. It has been a collaboration of the hospital and Conifer Realty, with help from Batavia Housing Authority, YMCA and Genesee County's Office for the Aging to spread the word of the new residential opportunity. About half of the 37 units have been taken so far, Conifer Vice President Eric Stevens said.

Qualified applicants need to meet income eligibility requirements and be at least 55 years old. There are one- and two-bedroom units and some of them are handicap/wheelchair accessible, with lowered countertops and stove controls and a roll-in shower.

During the tour, Stevens talked about the typical "punch list" that still has to be completed. That includes putting up light fixtures, making sure there are no leaks with the plumbing system and cleaning up the area.

The tour really began at the resident's door, which greeted visitors with a brushed nickel doorknocker and new-fangled lock. In lieu of the traditional cut-out key, everyone will get a key fob, which is placed against a circular device that will unlock the door.

Once inside, there were bright, cream-colored walls and a light tan berber rug, maple kitchen cabinets, a stove, refrigerator, garbage disposal and dishwasher. Windows seemed especially generous in size and offered a lot of light and a ledge wide enough for books, plants and perhaps a curious cat. Pets are allowed.

Residents will be able to see visitors on TV through a security system throughout the three-floor complex and store personal belongings in an ample storage room, one for each unit. The fourth floor is set up to include space for a computer lab and will have a laundry facility.

There is a spacious community room on the third floor for residents to throw card parties, get-togethers and holiday feasts if they wish. There are plenty of cherry-stained drawers and cupboards to store kitchen utensils and other items and the room will feature a flat-screen TV, tables and chairs.

A fitness room will soon have treadmills, elliptical trainers, free weights, a TV and potentially other equipment based on resident need, Stevens said. Healthy Living staff will be available to offer fitness and nutrition classes and there will be a maintenance supervisor around for repairs and a site manager during the day about four days a week.

Bedrooms are equipped with pull cords for emergencies. They are set up to an emergency answering service for when the manager wouldn't be available, Stevens said. After all, the site is "for independent living," versus an assisted living facility.

Other than the maintenance and manager staff, residents will be on their own as they mold the complex into a home all their own, Stevens said.

"Every property develops its own personality," he said. "I know if I was a resident, I'd be eating at the cafe."

The complex covers the third, fourth and fifth floors. It is adjacent to hospital facilities, which include a secured floor for the Hope Haven program and the new diagnostics center and a hospital cafe downstairs.

For more information, call (585) 345-4180.

New Community draws a flood of Applications!

08/23/2010

LOWER TOWNSHIP - The 90-unit Conifer Village, an $18.9 million project to build affordable housing for senior citizens, is preparing to open in September and has received an influx of applications, officials involved with the project say.

The three-story housing complex, on Bayshore Road near Townbank Road in the North Cape May section of Lower Township, is one of several in the area that are directly aimed at senior citizens on low, fixed incomes.

Charles Lewis, vice president of development for Conifer Realty LLC in Mount Laurel, said the facility for seniors 62 and older drew more than 200 applications in the first two weeks of registration.

"Everywhere in South Jersey we see tremendous demand," he said. "We have a senior development in Medford. It’s only 36 units but we received over 200 applications. It's particularly acute in Cape May County, where there aren’t many apartments and there are even fewer affordable apartments."

Each unit has a living room with a dining area, a bathroom, kitchen, bedroom, and porch or patio. The overall facility has a community room, exercise room, hair salon lounge and laundry area, Lewis said.

Construction started last year, but the project was planned for nearly five years, Lewis said.

Elizabeth Bozzelli, director of the Cape May County Department of Aging, has endorsed the project, as well as a similar one - Haven House in Lower Township, which opened in 2008 - to address the area’s high senior citizen population.

The problem of low-income senior housing became more acute in the past decade as older multiunit apartments in the Wildwoods were replaced with townhouses, she said.

Seniors who had lived there had trouble finding new rental homes, Bozzelli said. Those who could not moved in with children, siblings or left the area, she added.

The need remains strong in Cape May County, Bozzelli said, particularly for seniors wanting to downsize but finding few options for smaller rental units in the area.

"There still is just not enough," she said.

Cape May County has 96,091 residents, according to U.S. Census Bureau data from 2009.

Nearly 22 percent are 65 and older, compared with 13.5 percent throughout the state of New Jersey.

The Diocese of Camden, for example, operates similar senior citizen housing in Cape May County, including the 76-unit Haven House and Victorian Towers in Cape May.

The Diocesan Housing Services Corp. has also been planning a 74-unit complex on 16 acres near Route 47 in Rio Grande, Middle Township.

The projects themselves, which are often subsidized by state and federal funding, can be controversial because they involve a payment in lieu of taxes based on rents, not directly on property taxes.

In Lower Township, Conifer’s Lewis said the company expects people to start moving in on Sept. 15, pending the required certificates of occupancy.

Lower Township Construction Official Gary Playford said the complex is awaiting a certificate of occupancy before people can move in. The company is trying to get temporary COs by the month's end, he said.

Contact Brian Ianieri:

609-463-6713

BIanieri@pressofac.com

Clifton Park Accepting Applications

07/07/2010

A new apartment complex in Rexford targeted at lower-income adults 55 and older is accepting applications as construction nears completion.

MeadowView at Clifton Park Senior Apartments, on Waite Road off Route 146, is expected to be ready for occupancy this autumn. The 70-unit project includes 64 one-bedroom and six two-bedroom apartments.

To qualify, annual income must not exceed $32,700 for single occupants or $37,320 for double occupants. The apartment complex offers an exercise room, computer lab, community room and laundry facility. the complex is being developed by Conifer Realty LLC of Rochester. Rents are expected to range from $563 to $647 for one-bedroom apartments and $664 to $764 for two-bedroom units. Contact Mike Steurer at 383-3803 or by e-mail at cliftonpark@coniferllc.com.

www.timesunion.com

NAHMA Announces Affordable top 100

06/18/2010

www.nahma.org

Click for PDF

The NEW Village at Eastview OPEN HOUSE

06/08/2010

June 8, 2010, Victor, NY- Village at Eastview is hosting an OPEN HOUSE for visitors to preview the beautifully updated apartments this Friday June 11th and Saturday June 12th from 10 am - 2 pm. Guests will get the first peek at the incredible improvements underway at the Community for persons 55 and older.

The New Conifer Community is unique to Rochester as it caters to the Active Adult who enjoys living a vibrant lifestyle and is ready to give up the hassles of home ownership expenses. Located just a brief walk from the entrance to Eastview Mall, residents will have easy access to the thruway and highways, local recreation offerings and more. Conifer Village has just what people have been searching for including Fresh Design Features, Amenities and an Incredible Location! Smoke Free Apartments will be available!

Village is The Right Choice at The RIGHT PRICE! One Bedrooms will be starting at just $920 month. Rent Includes heat and hot water, numerous amenities such as Exercise Room, Club House with Internet access, Move Ins are expected in Mid July. Everyone is invited to the OPEN HOUSE!

For more information, call us today at 585-223-2673 or check us out at www.conifervillageeastview.com

Ribbon Cutting Event

05/12/2010

Loch Sheldrake, New York - Newly renovated Lake View Apartments and Barkley Gardens Senior Apartments celebrates its completion on Friday, May 14, 2010 at 11:00 am. The community is invited to a reception and tours of both communities which will be offered immediately following the ribbon cutting. Lake View Apartments (formerly known as Woodland Townhomes), is a family development located at 5 Woodland Townhouse Road, Loch Sheldrake, New York. Barkley Gardens Apartments is a senior development located at 280 North Main Street, Liberty, New York. The communities are approximately four miles apart.

Nestled in the foothills of the Catskill Mountains, Lake View and Barkley Gardens offer four seasons of ubiquitous outdoor recreation opportunities as well as walking distance to shopping and other amenities.

Senator Bonacic said "Affordable, well-built housing is an essential part of every quality community. The improvements to Woodland Townhomes and Barkley Gardens Apartments will improve the lives of the residents of these developments. I look forward to continuing to work in support of better housing in Sullivan County, and throughout our entire region. "

Speakers include:
Brandyn Perdelwitz, Senior Vice President, Bank of America
Mr. Mike Skrebutenas, DHCR Deputy Secretary for Economic Development and Housing
Legislator Leni Binder Minority Leader, Sullivan County 7th District Legislature
Hon. Sen. John J. Bonacic, New York State 42nd Senatorial District
Mr. Andrew Crossed, Executive Vice President, Conifer Realty, LLC


Directions to Ribbon Cutting and Press Conference:
Lake View Apartments are located at 5 Woodland Townhouse Road, Loch Sheldrake, New York 12759. From NYS Route 52, turn onto Karmel Road and right onto Woodland Townhouse Road.

Directions to Barkley Gardens Apartments:
From Lake View Apartments, follow NYS Route 52 North to left on North Main Street in Liberty, New York. Driving time is approximately 10 minutes.

Community Development Specifics
Lake View Apartments
# of Units: 60 Affordable Family
Unit Type: 2 Bedroom, 3 Bedroom, 4 Bedroom Townhouses
Developer: Conifer Realty, LLC
Architect: Harris A. Sanders, Architects, P.C.
Contractor: Conifer-LeChase Construction, LLC
Construction Lender: New York State Housing Finance Agency
Equity Financing: Bank of America
Financing: New York State Housing Trust Fund Subsidy Funds
New York State Housing Finance Agency Tax Exempt Bonds
4% Tax Credits

Barkley Gardens
# of Units: 51 Affordable Senior
Unit Type: Studios & 1 Bedrooms Apartments
Developer: Conifer Realty, LLC
Architect: Harris A. Sanders, Architects, P.C.
Contractor: Conifer-LeChase Construction, LLC
Construction Lender: NYS HFA
Equity Financing: Bank of America
Financing: New York State Housing Trust Fund Subsidy Funds
New York State Housing Finance Agency Tax Exempt Bonds
4% Tax Credits

Click for PDF

Medford taking applications

04/28/2010

Brand New Affordable Senior Apartments in Medford

Medford, NJ-The Senior population in Medford will be excited to hear the Medford Senior Apartments are now taking applications! The Community is in the final stages of construction on Jones Road, located between Route 70 and Union Street. Summer occupancy is projected.

The 36-unit affordable senior-housing community located in the heart of Medford, is accepting applications through mid-May for the one and two bedroom apartments that will be leased to individuals 62 and older. Annual income eligibility must not exceed $32,700 for single occupants and $37,320 for double occupants. Medford Senior Apartments will feature spacious, energy efficient apartments including fully equipped kitchens with Energy Star rated appliances, Berber carpet and window treatments. It will also offer many upscale amenities for the resident’s daily enjoyment such as exercise room, computer lab, community room and laundry facility. Medford Senior Apartments residents will also have easy access to medical services and organized recreational activities. Entertainment and shopping and social services are all within close proximity to the community.

To receive your application for rental or for additional information contact Evelyn Lawrence at 856-293-0372 or by email at medfordseniorhousing@verizon.net.

Conifer Receives Prestigious National Ranking

04/21/2010

Rochester based Conifer Realty has once again been ranked by Affordable Housing Finance Magazine as a 2010 Top 50 and Top 10 Real Estate Company.

Rankings were recently published in the April 2010 issue of Affordable Housing Finance Magazine. Conifer ranked #15 in the Affordable Housing Owners category, #13 in the Affordable Housing Developers category and # 10 in the Companies Completing Acquisitions category.

The Conifer organization is an experienced team of more than 500 highly skilled professionals who, with a demonstrated entrepreneurial spirit, have helped our organization assume a leadership role in the affordable housing industry. In 2009 Conifer Ranked #48 in the Rochester Top 100 Companies by the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle.

Conifer currently owns and manages more than 11,000 multi-family units in 170 apartment communities. In addition, more than 600 units are under construction, and approximately 25 projects are in various stages of the development process. Conifer will be opening 10 new communities in 3 states this year.

Conifer's commitment to quality design and construction, superior property management services and quality of life for our residents remains the cornerstones of Conifer's success. Visit us at www.coniferliving.com.

Now taking applications

04/21/2010

Brand New Affordable
Senior Apartments in Interlaken

Interlaken, NY-The Senior population in Interlaken will be excited to hear the Conifer Village at Interlaken Senior Apartments are now taking applications! The Community is in the final stages of construction on Cayuga Street, located near the Interlaken Central School. Summer occupancy is projected.

The 28-unit, one bedroom community is leasing to individuals 62 and older. Conifer Village at Interlaken will feature spacious, energy efficient apartments including fully-equipped kitchens with Energy Star rated appliances, Berber carpet and window treatments. It will also offer many upscale amenities for the residents daily enjoyment such as exercise room, computer lab, community room and laundry facility. Conifer Village at Interlaken residents will also have easy access to medical services and organized recreational activities. Entertainment and shopping and social services are all within close proximity to the community.

To receive your application for rental or for additional information contact Greg at 607-532-9929 or by email at conifervillageinterlaken@coniferllc.com.

2010 Conifer Ranks onTop Lists!

04/21/2010

Affordable Housing Finance:

Top 50 Developers: #13
Top 50 Owners: #15
Top 10 Completing Acquisitions: #10

National Affordable Housing Management Association:

Named in the Top 100 Affordable Housing Management Companies

Property Management Executive Joins Conifer

04/09/2010

Charles M. Moran, CPM® has been appointed Senior Vice President of Property Management for Conifer Realty. Conifer is a Rochester, New York based leading affordable housing development and management company operating in a four-state region. Mr. Moran is responsible for directing the property management operations of over 11,000 units in 180 apartment communities throughout New York, New Jersey, Maryland and Pennsylvania.

Most recently, Mr. Moran was the Senior Vice President of Property Management for The Community Builders of Boston, Massachusetts.

Stimulus money to fuel BRAC housing developments

12/29/2009

Baltimore Business Journal - by Daniel J. Sernovitz Staff

The state housing department announced its financial backing Tuesday of a pair of housing developments near Aberdeen Proving Ground, where a Pentagon realignment plan is expected to drive up demand for affordable housing.

A mix of state funding programs and federal stimulus aid will help finance the projects, a rental community on Stony Run Creek Road in Cecil County and a senior rental community on Perryman Road in Harford County.

Read More...

New homes, with stimulus help

10/30/2009

Making living easier, less costly for seniors
By Tim O'Brien, Staff writer

CLIFTON PARK - A new apartment complex to be built in town is meant to provide an affordable choice for seniors who want a smaller place to live.

The new 70-apartment housing complex is the first housing initiative in the Capital Region to receive federal stimulus funds. Conifer Realty LLC is building the Clifton Park Senior Living complex, which will include 64 one-bedroom and six two-bedroom apartments.

A groundbreaking ceremony Thursday at the site on Waite Road near Route 146 drew federal, state, community and business leaders.

Click for PDF

Ground Breaking Monday for Senior Apartments

10/16/2009

 Conifer Realty L.L.C. and Homes For All Inc. will break ground on a 90-unit affordable rental housing development for senior citizens Monday Oct. 19 at 11 a.m. at 3805 Bayshore Rd.

Click for PDF

Groundbreaking-Conifer Village at Cape May

10/12/2009

Conifer Realty, LLC Breaks Ground on a 90 Unit Affordable Housing Development in Lower Township on October 19, 2009.

Click for PDF

Conifer Receives Awards

10/07/2009

 2009 - Sharp Road Family Housing is the Recipient of the 2009 NJ Governor's "Excellence in Housing Award"

Sam Leone and Charles Lewis are pleased to announce that Sharp Road will receive the Governor's Excellence in Housing Award at the New Jersey Governor's Housing Conference on September 23.  Thanks to everyone at Conifer who helped make this project possible.

2009 - Affordable Housing Finance Magazine         

TOP 50 - Ranked #14 in Affordable Housing Owners

TOP 50 - Ranked #14 in Affordable Housing Owners

TOP 50 - Ranked #17 in Affordable Housing Developers

TOP 10 - Ranked #6 in Top 10 Companies completing Acquisitions

2009 - NAHMA (National Affordable Housing Management Association)

Conifer has been named in the Top 100 Affordable Housing Property Managers

 

2009- Conifer Realty has received a 2009 ENERGY STAR for Homes Leadership in Housing Award 

This award was bestowed upon Conifer by the Environmental Protection Agency.  Conifer has  developed over 263 ENERGY STAR qualified apartments in 2008.  This is an equivalent of saving over $177,561 on individual utility bills.

Conifer Realty: All for the right reasons

10/01/2009

According to Tim Fournier, this company excels at developing, owning, and managing affordable housing communities because of its business model and commitment to serving people in need.

Click for PDF

Recent Funding Approvals For Conifer Projects

09/10/2009

Click for PDF

NYS HFA and AHC Approve $25.4M in Financing

09/10/2009

NEW YORK, NY (09/10/2009)(readMedia)-- The boards of the New York State Housing Finance Agency (HFA) and the New York State Affordable Housing Corporation (AHC) today approved $25.4 million in financing to build and preserve 380 units of affordable housing in Western New York.

read more...

Noteworthy Awards

07/16/2009

Click for PDF

Sharp Road Apartments Celebrate Ribbon Cutting

06/19/2009

Click for PDF

Cape May County Herald Senior Senior Rental Award

06/04/2009

Click for PDF