Pictured is the back of the Gateway property on Front Street in Owego, where construction will begin on Monday of a 13,600 square foot building that will offer retail space, public restrooms, and several apartments on the upper floors. (Photo by Wendy Post)
Last week, Nelson Development Group, the company owned by Bruce Nelson, announced they will begin construction of an infill Gateway building that the Cracker Barrel once occupied on Front Street in Owego.
After several grants applied for through Economic Development, Housing Community Renewal, and Restore NY were processed and received, the closing last week on the property was the final step needed for Nelson to begin putting shovels in the ground.
The building that the gateway space once housed was completely destroyed by a fire in 2000 and was demolished. Since that time, a deck was built and the space has been utilized by the community for markets and special events.
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.
The new development will also benefit from the Industrial Development Agency’s PILOT program, in which taxes will begin at a lower rate and then increase each year over a period of time.
Bruce Nelson’s project that transformed 231 Main St. into apartments was also part of the PILOT program; but that project differed, as there were zero taxes applied for the first ten years, and then increases each year after that.
According to Nelson, the project, when it begins on Monday, will have minimal impact on parking and traffic, with only the parking spaces directly in front of the lot being utilized for equipment.
Nelson is planning a groundbreaking for Sept. 22, at 3 p.m.
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