16-05-2025
$4.5 million going to Canastota as part of NY Forward program
CANASTOTA, N.Y. (WSYR-TV) — There is only one Thruway stop in Madison County, which brings you to Canastota. The historic village will soon get a major modern makeover as part of the New York Forward project.
'We had applied the first year and we weren't successful, so we sat down and read every winning application, and it took us a little over a year to put our application together once we understood a little bit more about what the state was looking for,' Canastota Mayor Roseanne Warner said.
The biggest chunk of the money will be spent on revitalizing a portion of the Erie Canal that still sits in the village. Some might call the walking path, canal front pavilion, and boat launch, among other things set to be installed, a 200th birthday gift for the Erie Canal.
'We hope that Canal Street itself will be the centerpiece because we are unique with this is the historic Erie canal, and it still rolls right through our village, and not too many people can say that,' Mayor Warner said.
Courtesy: Village of Canastota
Another large project is the renovation of the Canastota Fire House. One of the most significant additions will be an elevator, which will make the fire station ADA compliant.
'The building is in need of major repairs. Windows, doors, elevators, it's just going to enhance this community,' Doug Gustin, Deputy Mayor of the Village of Canastota, said.
Down at the end of East Center Street, where there is currently an empty lot, will be a Canal-side Pocket Neighborhood, which will feature about 51 new housing units.
'If you're a native of Canastota and you move away for five years and come back five years later, you're not going to recognize the place, it's going to be that transformative,' Jeremy Ryan, an administrator for the Village of Canastota, said.
Develop a Mixed-Use Pocket Neighborhood with Cafe Retail Space & Community Amenities on the Erie Canal ($500,000)
Expand ZEMS/Penny's to Create New Community Gathering Space South of the Canal ($239,000)
Convert the Vacant Canal Street Building into an NYS Farm Craft Brewing Facility ($575,000)
Transform the Vacant Historic Farr Building into Erie Canal Brewing Company Taproom & Village Welcome Center ($450,000)
Renovate Historic Building at 138 Canal Street for Commercial Use ($172,000)
Enhance North Canal Street to Improve Public Space, Walkability and Recreational Opportunities ($1,706,000)
Renovate Canastota Fire House for Improved Community Use & Greater Accessibility ($858,000)
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