Thanks in part to the speed of construction with mass timber, the Center’s 9-unit apartment building under construction in Tupper Lake, NY, was closed in before the first snow.

FAQs: Park Street Redevelopment in Tupper Lake, NY

The Center has plans to redevelop 179 and 185 Park Street in Tupper Lake, New York as middle-market housing to support the community.

Below are some frequently asked questions about the project. The image to the right is a rendering of the proposed building at 179 Park Street. If you have further questions about the project, please contact Leslie Karas in.

What buildings are part of the Park Street redevelopment?

The Center owns several parcels on Park Street in Tupper Lake: 185 Park Street is an existing single family home; next door, at 179 Park Street, the Center is building a new structure.
What are the Center’s plans for the buildings?
- We determined that the previously existing structure at 179 Park Street was unfortunately not salvageable after the building was condemned following extensive water damage in the winter of 2023. The existing building was therefore demolished to make way for a new building with a similar scale and footprint. The new building will consist of nine apartments that will be available for rent once construction is complete.
- 185 Park Street will be renovated and remain a single-family home, which the Center will rent once renovations are complete.
Will this be affordable housing?

The apartments will not require income-based qualification. They will be designed to be financially in reach for people working in the Tupper Lake area. We use area median income and research on Tupper Lake-area salaries to determine affordable rental rates.
Will the apartments be short-term rentals?

No. The apartments will have standard 1-year leases with the intent to serve folks interested in being in the community long-term.
What is the project timeline?

We began asbestos abatement and demolition work in Summer 2024 and started work on the new foundation in Spring 2025. The construction timeframe is approximately 18 months.
When will units be available for rent?

According to the current construction timeframe, we anticipate starting to accept applications for rental units in fall 2026, with units available for move-in sometime in the winter of 2026-2027.
How can I stay informed about units available for rent?

We maintain a list of people who are interested in being notified when we are ready to start accepting applications for units. To be added to this list, email Leslie at lkarasin@northernforest.org. Everyone on this list will be notified at the same time, and no application materials will be accepted until this list is notified.
What are the Center’s plans after the renovations are complete?

The Center will manage the property for several years as rental units. The Center will then sell the property to individuals as condominiums with covenants — or as a whole building to a like-minded property manager.
Is the Northern Forest Center new to Tupper Lake?

The Center has been working in Tupper Lake for many years in a variety of different program capacities including expansion of markets for wood heat, grants to develop community recreation assets, municipal support for state funding, and more.
How is the redevelopment being funded?

The Center is using a mix of funding sources to make the redevelopment of properties on Park Street financially feasible. Sources include impact investment funds, public grants, and private gifts. If you are interested in contributing to this important community project, please contact Rebecca Hession.
Is the Center a real estate development company?

The Center is a regional innovation and investment partner creating rural vibrancy by connecting people, economy, and the forested landscape. Legally, we are non-profit organization; a 501(c)3 nonprofit corporation registered in the state of New Hampshire. We work across the Northern Forest region of northern Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont and New York.

As described above, the Center uses a variety of capital sources to fund property purchases and development. This mix of funding enables the Center to take on challenging property development projects that do not attract commercial developers. By using low-cost capital and gifts and grants, we are able to create high-quality living spaces and make them affordable to middle income renters.
What is the Center’s experience with housing development?
- To help address the housing crisis in Northern Forest communities, we broadened our suite of programs in 2017 to include property development. We focus on downtown properties that have the ability to catalyze community redevelopment and revitalization.
- In our first housing project, the Millinocket Housing Initiative, we invested $1 million to renovate 6 dilapidated houses and created 11 apartments, now all leased to year-round residents. We have begun to sell several of the properties with deed covenants.
- Our second project, the Parker J. Noyes building in Lancaster, NH involved redeveloping an 11,000-square-foot building on Main Street, to create 6 new apartments and commercial space for a local food market.
- Some of our newest projects include redeveloping the historic Gehring House in Bethel, ME into 9 apartments, and a project in St Johnsbury, VT to create 9 apartments and two commercial spaces.

Staff Contact

Leslie Karasin

Adirondack Program Director

Cell: 518-637-2962

What buildings are part of the Park Street redevelopment?

What are the Center’s plans for the buildings?

Will this be affordable housing?

Will the apartments be short-term rentals?

What is the project timeline?

When will units be available for rent?

How can I stay informed about units available for rent?

What are the Center’s plans after the renovations are complete?

Is the Northern Forest Center new to Tupper Lake?

How is the redevelopment being funded?

Is the Center a real estate development company?

What is the Center’s experience with housing development?

Staff Contact

Leslie Karasin