Page 27 - 2020 February E-issue

News From Professional Firms

SWBR News
SWBR Successfully Completes “50 for 50” Campaign During its 50 Year
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SWBR, a multidisciplinary, award-winning design firm, celebrated its 50 year
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in business and a long tradition of design excellence throughout 2019. To
commemorate the milestone, it hosted a special initiative called “50 for 50,”
where team members collectively completed 50 community service projects. As
team members volunteered for not-for-profit organizations, the outreach events
were documented on large “50 for 50” boards displayed throughout the office.
Additionally, efforts were promoted on SWBR’s social media pages.

We have an amazing team that has always given back to the community, said
President Tom Gears, AIA. “Our 50th anniversary gave us the opportunity to
showcase that commitment. I’m confident that we’ll continue that incredible and
meaningful work into the new year and beyond.

For 50 years, SWBR has designed projects on the belief that great buildings
and spaces can inspire, influence and enhance the lives of their users and the
community.

“I believe that our 50 anniversary has been a testimony to three important
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constants here at SWBR: great clients, great people and great design,” Principal
and Chief Marketing Officer David Beinetti, AIA said. “We have been fortunate to
have all three in abundance. The ‘50 for 50’ campaign during our 50 year brought
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our team members together and it felt good to give back to our community
through so many organizations." q

SWBR Celebrates Ribbon Cutting for Freedom Commons Apartments in Syracuse

SWBR joined state and local
officials on Thursday, Nov. 14, to celebrate the grand opening
of Freedom Commons in downtown Syracuse. The project is a
collaboration between the Syracuse Housing Authority, the Center
for Community Alternatives and Norstar Development.

In addition to affordable housing, the project provides supportive
housing to individuals transitioning out of the criminal justice system
to help avoid recidivism. It consists of 54 units with a mix of one,
two- and three-bedroom apartments and townhouses, with six
mobility accessible units and three units for individuals with hearing
or vision impairments. The project was also recently certified as
LEED for Homes Gold by the U.S. Green Building Council.

Freedom Commons Academy, also located on the campus, offers 11 beds for emergency housing. The Center for
Community Alternatives will manage the academy space, which is designed to help individuals learn skills and gain
stability.

The project received funding through New York State Homes and Community Renewal through the LIHTC
program, Key Community Development Corporation, Homeless Housing and Assistance Program, the Federal
Home Loan Bank of New York with Member Bank Syracuse Cooperative Federal Credit Union, Central New York
Community Foundation, Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative, and Syracuse Housing Authority.

SWBR provided architectural, interior, landscape architecture and structural engineering design for the project. q

news from professional firms FEBRUARY 2020 The ROCHESTER ENGINEER | 27