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The project would be located near Bluefield Manor on the city's west end. It would consist of seven buildings with 70 townhouse-style apartments, according to Assistant Auburn City Manager Jennifer Haines. The on-site amenities would include a clubhouse, dog park, exercise room, pickleball court and pool.

Park Grove Realty, a Rochester-based developer, would largely fund the project. Cayuga County is applying for a $1 million award through Empire State Development's County Infrastructure Grant Program. The state program has up to $50 million available for county-led projects, including housing.

The Auburn City Council on Thursday approved a resolution supporting the county's application. If the county is successful, the funding would be re-granted to the city and the development process would begin for the housing project. That phase would consist of land acquisition and obtaining city board approvals.

The Cayuga County Legislature will vote on whether to submit the grant application at its monthly meeting Thursday. 

Haines told ÈËÊÞÐÔ½» that conversations with Park Grove Realty about a market-rate housing project began nearly two years ago. The city explored potential sites and initially planned to pursue a housing project at 52 Metcalf Dr., which is owned by the Auburn Enlarged City School District. 

The city, which the state certified as a pro-housing community in May, applied for funding. However, it was not awarded a grant. 

City officials learned about the County Infrastructure Grant Program while attending a local Micron subcommittee meeting — Haines chairs the housing-focused panel. The market-rate housing project was revived, but needed a new location. The school district was no longer interested in selling the Metcalf Drive land. 

The city selected 213 Dunning Ave. Rear, a city-owned parcel that is also accessible from Manor House Drive. 

If the housing complex is built, it will target residents with median incomes of $100,000, according to Haines. There would be 21 one-bedroom, 35 two-bedroom and 14 three-bedroom units. Rent would range from $1,700 a month for a one-bedroom apartment to $2,400 for a three-bedroom unit. 

"We're excited about this," Haines said. "We have been working with this developer for a while to try to find the right place, right time (and) right funding source for this." 

The proposed housing project received positive reviews from members of the Auburn City Council. Councilor Terry Cuddy echoed Haines' excitement and noted that market-rate housing is needed in the city. 

Auburn Mayor Jimmy Giannettino recalled a recent visit to Nucor, a major employer in the city and county. During that tour, the steel mill's management mentioned that the starting salary for workers there is $88,000 a year. 

"All those young people are moving out into the suburbs or to Onondaga County because they can't find this type of housing in Auburn," Giannettino said. "This will allow us to capture those people and their salaries in this community."

It could also make Auburn an appealing place to live for Micron workers. The semiconductor chip manufacturer is building fabs in neighboring Onondaga County. 

It will be the first market-rate housing project in Auburn in "a very long time," according to Giannettino. 

"It's a win-win for everybody," he said, while acknowledging that the grant application is the first step in a long process.