Three north country communities to get state NY Forward funding

WATERTOWN, N.Y. (WWTI) – Three north country communities will receive funding as part of New York State’s NY Forward projects.

The Jefferson County village of Cape Vincent, the Lewis County village of Lyons Falls and the St. Lawrence County village of Waddington will receive funding. Each municipality will be getting funding via the NY Forward program.

Here is what the money is project to go towards for Cape Vincent:

Enhance Downtown Streetscape on Broadway to Support Walkability and Commerce ($ 2,689,000)

• Design and implement streetscape improvements to the Broadway Street corridor to create a distinctive, cohesive and welcoming downtown atmosphere.

Re-Imagine Club Street as a Pedestrian-Friendly Zone ($ 600,000)

• Activate the Club Street corridor to create a welcoming pedestrian-friendly zone. Proposed elements include distinctive road surface and removable bollards to create cohesive access to the waterfront.

Establish a Fund to Support a Dynamic Downtown Business Environment ($ 300,000)

• Establish a locally managed matching small project fund to undertake a range of smaller downtown projects such as façade enhancements, building improvements to commercial or mixed-use spaces, business assistance or public art projects.

Establish the Club Street Waterfront Park as a Downtown Destination ($ 850,000)

• Create a waterfront park by installing play equipment, structured seating, water feature, pavilion, firepit, signage, landscaping and new walkways.

Rejuvenate the Village Green in the Heart of Cape Vincent ($ 61,000)

• Restore and upgrade performance platform, install new lamp posts, add new walls and flower beds and replace aging benches to enhance public space in the heart of the community.

Here’s what the funding is slated to do for Lyons Falls

Improve Connectivity and Enhance the Downtown Experience in Lyons Falls through Streetscape Improvements ($ 1,900,000)

• Transform and enhance the Village’s connectivity and streetscape with improved intersections, walkways, landscaping, and attractive design elements to establish a welcoming and distinctive pedestrian friendly downtown environment throughout Cherry, McAlpine and Center Streets.

Develop Marketing and Branding for Downtown Lyons Falls ($ 50,000)

• Develop downtown marketing and branding to target residents, visitors, investors, and developers.

Establish a Fund to Enhance Revitalization in Downtown Lyons Falls ($ 150,000)

• Create a locally managed matching small project fund to undertake a range of smaller downtown projects such as façade enhancements, building improvements to commercial or mixed-use spaces, business assistance or public art projects.

Activate Public Space at the Historic Lyons Falls Pulp and Paper Mill ($150,000)

• Redevelop a vacant and underutilized former mill site into a public space with the addition of green space, public seating areas and a river overlook.

And finally, here’s the project NY Forward funding plans for Waddington:

Transform Downtown Waddington Streetscape to Create a Welcoming Destination ($1,000,000)

• Transform the Village’s gateway and streetscape along Main Street with improved walkways, landscaping, attractive design elements and the creation of a gateway feature to establish a welcoming and distinctive pedestrian friendly downtown environment.

Establish a Fund to Advance Downtown Business & Beautification ($200,000)

• Establish a locally managed matching fund to undertake a range of smaller downtown projects such as façade enhancements, building renovation to commercial or mixed-use spaces, business assistance and public art.

Build the Brand of Downtown Waddington ($50,000)

• Develop a branding initiative that includes the development of a new village logo, slogan and marketing materials to promote Downtown Waddington as a destination.

Restore the Historic Clark House to Create Boutique Hotel Accommodations and Apartments ($1,000,000)

• Renovate the building to create an estimated 9-room boutique hotel on the 2nd and 3rd floors, including lobby, food service and meeting space in addition to the creation of four ADA-accessible, one-bedroom apartments.

In the first seven rounds of the DRI, the state has committed $800 million, investing in 81 downtowns ripe for revitalization that have the potential to become magnets for redevelopment, business, job creation, greater economic and housing diversity and opportunity.  In the first two rounds of NY Forward, the state has committed $200 million, investing in 43 smaller and rural downtowns.

This additional DRI and NY Forward funding will bring strategic plans to life across four North Country downtowns, improving their quality of life and growing local economies. With communities leading the way, we’re excited to see the transformed green spaces, cultural venues and businesses that will make Ticonderoga, Cape Vincent, Lyons Falls and Waddington even more attractive to residents and visitors alike.

North Country REDC Co-chairs James McKenna and Kathryn Morris

With the Governor’s commitment this year of an additional $100 million each for the Downtown Revitalization Initiative and NY Forward, the state has now invested a combined total of $1.2 billion in both programs since their inception, serving 122 communities combined.

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