O’Mara welcomes designation of 'Brownfield Opportunity Area’ in city of Elmira ~ Ongoing state support, including recent $10-million Downtown Revitalization Initiative grant, continues to help build foundation of city’s renewal (UPDATED, Aug. 23rd)

Elmira, N.Y., August 22—State Senator Tom O’Mara (R,C,I-Big Flats) welcome today’s announcement that New York State has designated approximately 440 acres on the city of Elmira’s southside as the “Southside Rising Brownfield Opportunity Area” (BOA).

Today’s designation in Elmira was one of the 12 new BOAs announced across the state.  The designation provides the targeted areas with priority status for state grants and other assistance, as well as giving potential developers access to additional Brownfield Cleanup Program tax incentives.  Overall, it helps local leaders develop revitalization strategies for the areas which are often the site of numerous dormant and blighted properties.

O’Mara said, “This designation is another important step in our efforts to revitalize the city of Elmira, strengthen neighborhoods, create jobs and encourage sustainable economic growth.  Coupled with the news in July that Elmira has received a $10-million Downtown Revitalization Initiative grant, we’re moving in the right direction and trying to build a foundation of greater optimism and promise throughout the city.  Elmira Mayor Mandell and his team continue to do outstanding work, and I look forward to continuing to work with the mayor on the goals we share for the city’s future.”  

City of Elmira Mayor Daniel Mandell said, “We would like to thank the State of New York and particularly the Department of State for providing the funding and guidance to complete Elmira’s Southside Rising Brownfield Opportunity Area Revitalization Strategy. To date we have already received $200,000 in New York Main Street funding for South Main Street and an additional $3.8 million was recently announced under New York State Homes and Community Renewal’s 2015 Unified Funding Awards for the Chemung Crossing Neighborhood Revitalization Project. The work that went into our Brownfield Opportunity Area was carried forward to a new Comprehensive Master Plan for the City and part of the designated Brownfield Opportunity Area is within Elmira’s Downtown Revitalization Initiative target area. We look forward to continuing to work closely with the State of New York on projects within our Brownfield Opportunity Area that have the potential to address brownfield sites, create jobs, improve our neighborhoods, and revitalize our community.”

According to today’s designation, the newly designated Southside Rising Brownfield Opportunity Area “consists of 440 acres located in the south-east portion of the City of Elmira, roughly bounded by the Chemung River on the north, South Main Street on the west, Miller and Morrow Streets on the south and Robinson Street on the east. The area, which is characterized by over 36 potential brownfields, contains numerous abandoned, vacant and underutilized properties. The primary community revitalization objectives include: updating zoning, design standards, and the rehabilitation of housing stock to strengthen neighborhoods; mixed-use infill development and streetscape improvements in the South Main Street corridor; redevelopment to return strategic sites, including the Chemung Foundry, Erie Plaza and the Red Barn property, to active use; and public improvements such as enhanced gateways, parks, and pedestrian amenities. $271,736 in Brownfield Opportunity Area Program grants financed planning activities for the area.”

[UPDATE: August 23rd: Read more the Elmira Star-Gazette, "BROWNFIELDS: State adds portion of Southside to list"; WETM-TV, "440 Acres on Elmira's Southside Designated As Brownfield Opportunity Area: Designation provides priority status for state grants and other assistance"; and The Leader, "Elmira receives brownfield funding".]

See the full announcement HERE.