Greece Gets $5 Million to Buy Mall Land for Senior Housing

October 15, 2026

Map of the two parcels at The Mall at Greece Ridge that the Town of Greece plans to buy for senior housing | Westside Construction Group

The Town of Greece will receive $5 million from Empire State Development to buy two parcels totaling 13.02 acres of unused land at The Mall at Greece Ridge, where the town plans to solicit and manage proposals for senior housing and other mixed-use development Empire State Development. The purchase is expected to close in spring 2027, with construction targeted to begin in 2028 Rochester Business Journal.

What Happened

Empire State Development (ESD) announced the award on October 14, describing the deal as a public-private partnership between the town and mall owner Wilmorite. The town will buy the parcels and then request and manage housing development proposals in line with its state Pro-Housing Community designation Empire State Development.

The land sits at a back corner of the 1.63 million-square-foot mall along Long Pond Road, near the former Sears store, and was most recently used for a farmers market WXXI News. The Rochester Business Journal places the two parcels at the southwest corner of the property, near StoreEase Self Storage and next to Target Rochester Business Journal.

The state grant covers the purchase price. Town Supervisor Jeff McCann told WXXI the property is valued slightly higher than $5 million and that Wilmorite will receive credit for the difference, though how that credit will be applied was not immediately clear WXXI News.

The Plan and the Precedent

Officials are emphasizing senior housing, with other mixed-use options on the table Empire State Development. WXXI reports that office, retail and community space are among the possibilities WXXI News. No unit count, total project cost or developer has been announced Rochester Business Journal.

The model is the 150-unit Marketplace Senior Apartments at Wilmorite's Marketplace Mall in Henrietta Rochester Beacon. McCann said that project has a four- to five-year waiting list for tenants WXXI News. Housing has also been built at Marketview Mall in Henrietta and Skyview on the Ridge in Irondequoit, though in those cases the towns encouraged development rather than buying the land WXXI News.

"We're excited to be able to bring more opportunities for Greece's older adults to stay in our community," McCann said Rochester Beacon. He also cautioned on timing: "This isn't something that's going to get done next year" WXXI News.

The State Program Behind It

This is the town's first use of the governor's Pro-Housing Communities Program WXXI News. Certified communities get exclusive access to up to $750 million in discretionary state funding, and more than 450 communities have been certified statewide Empire State Development. ESD tied the award to the state's $25 billion five-year Housing Plan and said more than 87,000 affordable homes have been created or preserved to date Empire State Development.

Where Things Stand

Now: ESD funding announced for the land purchase Empire State Development.
Spring 2027: Expected closing on the land Rochester Business Journal.
After closing: Town issues a request for proposals and manages developer selection Rochester Business Journal.
2028: Targeted construction start Rochester Business Journal.

Implications for Owners, Developers, Contractors and Subs

A town-controlled RFP is the entry point. Because Greece will own the land and run the selection, developers and their building partners should expect a public solicitation rather than a private deal. Teams with senior housing experience and a track record on mixed-use sites are well positioned.
Mall parking fields are becoming housing sites. Greece joins Henrietta and Irondequoit in converting surplus retail land in Monroe County. Infill on paved lots typically means utility relocation, stormwater redesign and site work packages ahead of vertical construction.
Demand evidence is strong. A multi-year waitlist at the Marketplace project gives lenders and owners a local data point for senior rental demand.
Plan for 2028 work. With closing in spring 2027 and construction in 2028, this is a pipeline item for estimating and preconstruction teams, not a near-term bid.

What to Watch

Watch for the closing on the parcels, the terms of the credit to Wilmorite, and the scope of the town's request for proposals, including unit count, affordability requirements and whether commercial space is part of the program.

Bottom Line

Greece is using state money to take control of 13 acres of surplus mall land and steer it toward senior housing. The structure gives the town a direct hand in what gets built, and it adds another west-side Rochester housing opportunity to the regional pipeline for 2028.

Image credit: Map provided by the Town of Greece, via Rochester Business Journal. Image from the source article.