Richfield projects to be funded by NY Forward grant
Gov. Kathy Hochul announced Friday, May 16 the awards for five projects in Richfield, a winner of a $4.5 million NY Forward award.
'Revitalizing our towns and villages is about giving communities the tools they need to grow and thrive,' Hochul said in a news release. 'The Mohawk Valley is home to an extraordinary array of small businesses and hubs of arts and culture, and by supporting them through these projects, we're helping our communities write the next great chapter of their history.'
The Greater Richfield Springs Downtown Area — in the town of Richfield and village of Richfield Springs — "is a small community with an outsized passion for the revitalization of its Main Street," the release stated. Projects will focus on adaptive re-use of existing buildings; increased sustainability and decreased greenhouse gas emissions; support for small business growth in the downtown area; and increase awareness of, and appreciation for, its diverse cultural backgrounds.
The five NY Forward projects in Richfield, totaling $4.5 million, include:
• Reviving the Elk Opera House for mixed-use, commercial and residential ($1,552,000): Plans are to rehabilitate the historic structure with an updated facade while displaying its original name and year of construction. Five apartments on the second floor will be redesigned for a more cohesive flow, while the third floor will be transformed into five apartments with loft spaces that take advantage of the high ceilings. Energy-efficient upgrades will include the installation of a new boiler.
• Revitalizing historic Spring Park ($976,000): The project includes revitalizing the park, honoring its historical significance and original design. "The plan will ensure the park is welcoming, accessible, and engaging for people of all ages and abilities, while also visually reconnecting it to the downtown area," the release stated. The project will reestablish formal walkways between trees, create new meandering pathways, restore significant structures and install interpretive signage to tell the story of the park, the sulphur springs and their connection to Native Americans.
• Revamp a cornerstone commercial/residential mixed-use structure ($826,000): The exterior of the building will be renovated, as will five apartments on the front side of the building and the four street-level commercial spaces. All the renovated spaces will get new heating and LED lighting.
• Implement the Small Project Fund ($600,000): The Small Project Fund will provide financial support to small businesses and property owners to help cover building renovations, business assistance and soft costs.
• Expand 140 Main Street for a cooperative commercial kitchen and new apartments ($546,000): A commercial kitchen will be constructed to support the growth and expansion of the Richfield Springs Community Food Cooperative. The project will include the construction of three new apartment units and the rehabilitation of the building's facade.
Richfield Town Supervisor Larry Frigault said, 'I'd like to thank the governor and her administration for recognizing Richfield's potential. Our project sponsors will greet this news with great enthusiasm. Everyone is ready to continue the revitalization of Richfield which would not have been possible without this financial support.'
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