City of Rochester
News Release
(Monday, June 17, 2013) –– Mayor Thomas S. Richards joined City Council Vice President Dana Miller, Councilmember Carolee Conklin, Jeffrey Smith, President and CEO of Woodstone Custom Homes, Inc. and Jodi Weinberger of Woodstone Realty today at the official ribbon cutting ceremony for Brooks Court in the City’s 19th Ward.
“Brooks Court is a tremendous example of a project that is leading Rochester’s transformation in a positive direction,” said Mayor Richards. “We have replaced a vacant apartment complex with high-quality, owner-occupied homes that are benefiting from the growth of the University of Rochester and the Brooks Landing development. I want to congratulate Jeffrey Smith and his development partners for the success of this project and thank them for bringing these wonderful homes to the 19th Ward.”
Brooks Court includes a new neighborhood street that will eventually hold 29 single family, owner-occupied detached homes with “city house” designs reminiscent of the Craftsman and Bungalow styles that were prevalent in the early to mid-1900s. The new street is complete and 11 houses have been built, of which seven of are under purchase contracts with an average price of $215,000.
A variety of ranch, cape and two-story plans are available, ranging from 1,200 square feet to 1,800 square feet in size with purchase prices ranging from $165,000 to $255,000.
Each home will have a large front porch, 2-1/2 baths, and 2-car attached garage -- features which are considered to be essential for today’s modern families and are not readily available in competitively priced homes in the surrounding area. Sales are being handled by Woodstone Realty (an affiliate of Woodstone Custom Homes, Inc.).
Woodstone responded to the City’s request for proposals to develop the former Valley Court apartment complex, which the City acquired through foreclosure more than a decade ago.
The location offered a great in-fill site within the 19th Ward that is near the Brooks Landing area, which has recently received substantial investment from the City, the University of Rochester and private investors. Brooks Court is within walking distance to the University, Strong Memorial Hospital, Genesee Valley Park and local restaurants.
Site engineering was provided by Parrone Engineering and architectural plans are provided by Patrick J. Morabito. Site work is being performed by Monroe Roadways. Canandaigua National Bank is providing construction financing for pre-sold, model, and speculative homes in Brooks Court.
A substantial number of skilled building trades are supported with the construction of this project, with the anticipated build-out value of over $5.5 million. Based on estimates of the National Association of Home Builders, each home built will create three jobs, for a total of 87 jobs over three years; with about half of the jobs in the construction industry. It is also estimated that the additional, annual recurring impacts of building the 29 homes will include nearly 15 local jobs per year.
The City provided a $765,000 grant toward home construction and a $120,000 grant to lower the purchase price on four houses by $30,000 for people who earn 120 percent or less of the median income.
Existing City programs are also available to help buyers purchase a new home at Brooks Court. The City’s Employer Assisted Housing Program and the Home Purchase Assistance Program could provide as much as $9,000 in incentives for qualified buyers.
Woodstone has been a land developer and home builder in suburban Monroe and Ontario Counties for more than 30 years. Originally founded in 1978 by brothers Jeffrey and Doug Smith, Jeffrey became the sole owner of Woodstone when Doug passed away in 2008. This project represents expansion of Woodstone’s business into the city of Rochester
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News Media: For more information, Jeffrey Smith at (585) 329-6217.