State official to tour downtown revitalization sites
Flagship locations of Lockport's downtown revitalization efforts will receive a visit from New York's Secretary of State Walter Mosley today.
Mosley will attend a ribbon cutting for Big Ditch Brewing Company, visit the Palace Theatre and Harrison Place lofts, view the Lock Tender's Tribute statues, and stop in at several other city sites that received state Downtown Revitalization Initiative funds.
Mosley's visit recognizes the completion of $1.8 million renovation of the Historic Lockport Post Office.
'We've heard a lot about the progress,' Mosley said of the post office. 'This was a project that we felt was critical in revitalizing the economic development of Lockport. We believe it has tremendous benefit economically and socially.'
New York State's Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) is an economic development program to help turn around downtown cityscapes across the state.
'The DRI transforms downtown neighborhoods into vibrant centers that offer a high quality of life and are magnets for redevelopment, business, job creation, and economic and housing diversity,' according to a state website. 'These compact, walkable downtowns are a key ingredient to helping New York State rebuild its economy from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as to achieving the State's bold climate goals by promoting the use of public transit and reducing dependence on private vehicles.'
Lockport received $10 million in DRI funding in round 3 of the initiative. Other Lockport projects included the Spaulding Mill building near the canal locks, the F&M Building, the Pine Street corridor, the South Street pedestrian crossing, and the Tuscarora Club on Walnut Street.
'We want to make sure that people understand that the process they went through is being recognized,' Mosley said. 'We understand that government works best when it works from the ground up.'
Mayor John Lombardi III said he will have an opportunity to briefly meet with the secretary, although it won't be to discuss further development.
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