23-05-2025
Area municipalities receive grants to rehabilitate downtowns
The villages of Cooperstown, Franklin and Richfield Springs and the city of Norwich will receive state funding to help restore their downtowns.
Gov. Kathy Hochul announced in a news release Thursday, May 22 that more than $50 million has been awarded to 50 projects through the state's Restore New York Communities Initiative. The program, administered by Empire State Development, is designed to help local governments encourage new commercial investments through community revitalization, growing local housing and putting properties back on the tax rolls to increase the local tax base.
The village of Cooperstown will receive $1 million for its project to demolish 217 Main St., the site of a former cheese factory, furniture store and baseball bat factory that has sat vacant for years. After demolition, a 50-unit, three-story apartment building will be constructed with accessible and affordable housing units, featuring energy efficiency and green building practices, with on-site parking and amenities.
The village of Richfield Springs will receive $469,593 for its project to rehabilitate and renovate 241 Main St. into an inn with guest rooms, an event center and re-establishing the historic mineral spas. Outside renovations include securing the building's envelope by replacing the roof, repairing the chimney and steps, installing gutters, and updating the fire escape. Inside renovations include transforming the fourth floor into an apartment, renovating the third-floor bathrooms and laundry room, upgrading electrical and HVAC and repairing the plumbing.
The village of Franklin will receive $1 million. Funds will support the rehabilitation of three adjoining, vacant, commercial/mixed-use properties at 438-444 Main St. in the heart of the village's historic district totaling 13,500 square feet. The vacant space will be redevelopment into five new commercial businesses and a new apartment. The businesses include a restaurant, café/art studio, arcade and lounge, retail shop and commercial office space.
The city of Norwich will receive $1 million. This two-story, 12,400-square-foot former office building at 23 E. Main St. will be repurposed to meet community needs. The first floor will become a child care center for 46 children. The second floor will house Commerce Chenango offices with a reception area, boardroom and conference space. The site's emergency generator and location also position it for FEMA shelter designation.
'Revitalizing and rehabilitating vacant and blighted areas of our communities for housing or development is vital to make downtowns thrive,' Hochul said in the release. 'Restore New York helps our municipalities plan for the future by catalyzing economic growth and supporting housing, businesses and cultural spaces. We are further unlocking the potential of these sites and communities across New York."
