Governor Cuomo announces nearly $40 million awarded in Round 4 of Restore New York Communities Initiative

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo recently announced nearly $40 million awarded to 75 municipalities through Round 4 of the Restore New York Communities Initiative. Restore NY supports municipal revitalization efforts across the state, helping to reinvigorate downtowns and generate economic opportunity in communities from Western New York to Long Island.

“These projects will help bring new vitality and opportunities for growth to communities across New York by transforming blighted properties and making key infrastructure investments,” Governor Cuomo said in a press release last week. 

He added, “With this funding, we are helping to build stronger regional economies and are laying the foundation for a more prosperous New York for all.”

Among those awards, is $4,234,750 in support of 11 projects in the Southern Tier as follows: City of Binghamton – Big Lots Plaza demolition – $534,000; City of Elmira – Lake Street building rehabilitation – $500,000; City of Ithaca – Seneca Corn Street buildings rehabilitation – $500,000; Village of Owego – Gateway Project – $500,000; Town of Southport – Point Redevelopment – $500,000; Village of Whitney Point – Wilcox Building revitalization – $500,000; City of Corning – Blodgett Site redevelopment – $480,150; Village of Endicott – Rehabilitate former school buildings – $440,000; City of Norwich – Silver Street rehabilitation – $120,000; Village of Newark Valley – Ladder factory demolition – $100,000; and the Village of Johnson City – Johnson City District Revitalization Initiative – $60,000.

Upon word that the funding was received, Newark Valley’s Mayor Tornatore reacted, stating, “Our Village office team and Trustees work towards a better tomorrow for our Village residents. This empty building is a danger and a visual depressant to our Clinton Street and Rewey Avenue area.”

The Gateway Project in Owego is a proposed project on Front Street in Owego by Nelson Development Group. The company, owned by Bruce Nelson, would construct an infill Gateway building that the Cracker Barrel once occupied on Front Street.

If awarded several grants, applied for through Economic Development, the project will move forward. LeeAnn Tinney, Economic Development director for Tioga County, stated that if awarded, the start date for the project could be as early as July 2017. 

The Restore NY Grant is only one of two grants applied for, however, with the other being a Housing Community Renewal grant that was also applied for, and that grant will be reviewed in the spring.

The $2.7 million project will construct a 13,600 square foot building with three floors at the Gateway location. The first floor will have retail space and public bathrooms, a Riverwalk overlook, and then apartments on the two floors above this. The rooftop will contain a roof access with a small sitting area. 

Governor Cuomo enacted the Restore New York Communities Initiative in the FY16 State Budget and designated Empire State Development to implement the program. Round 4 launched in June 2016. Cities, towns and villages were all eligible to apply for support for projects that include demolition, deconstruction, rehabilitation, or reconstruction of vacant, abandoned, condemned and surplus properties.

A full list of projects receiving funding is available online at https://www.governor.ny.gov/sites/governor.ny.gov/files/atoms/files/RestoreNYFundingList.pdf.

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