Sen. Helming Announces $2.6 Million Awarded to Local Communities For Downtown Revitalization

GENEVA, NY – Senator Pam helming today announced that $2.6 million has been awarded to four local communities in the Wayne-Finger Lakes region through Round 5 of the Restore New York Communities Initiative. Restore New York supports municipal revitalization efforts by awarding funding for projects that will help revitalize downtowns and generate new economic opportunities.

“As State Senator for the Wayne-Finger Lakes region, I have worked with local leaders in government and business to help restore our downtowns. Downtowns are the heart of our communities and we must do everything possible to ensure that they continue to succeed. In the past, Restore New York funding has allowed municipalities throughout our region the opportunity to rebuild neighborhoods and encourage investment in our local communities. I am confident the funding will allow Auburn, Canandaigua, Webster, and Newark to maximize their rehabilitation efforts, attract new investment opportunities, and stimulate economic growth,” Senator Helming said.

Senator Helming supported funding for Round 5 of the Restore New York Communities Initiative that was enacted in the FY 2017-18 State Budget. Cities, town and villages were all eligible to apply for support for projects that include demolition, deconstruction, rehabilitation or reconstruction of vacant, abandoned, condemned and surplus properties.  

Round 5 Projects include:

• City of Auburn - $1,000,000 - rehabilitation of the former Schines Theater, creating a multi-use facility for concerts, entertainment, theater productions and movies, and a multi-use facility where the public can hold events, banquets, and gatherings;
• City of Canandaigua - $1,000,000 - rehabilitation of the abandoned former Labelon manufacturing facility at 10 Chapin Street into a mixed-use development with 52 units;
• Village of Webster- $500,000 - the rehabilitation of 22-42 East Main Street to improve commercial and residential properties; and
• Village of Newark- $100,000 - the rehabilitation and adaptive reuse of the former St. Michael's Parish Elementary School into 28 affordable apartments for seniors age 62 and over.

Last August, Senator Helming announced that that $80 million would be made available through Round 5 of the Restore New York Communities Initiative and was set to launch on Friday, September 15. The program, administered by Empire State Development, provides local governments with financial assistance to support economic development and revitalize neighborhoods and urban centers throughout the Finger Lakes region and across the state

Senator Helming represents the 54^th Senate District, which consists of Seneca and Wayne Counties, parts of Cayuga and Ontario Counties, and the towns of Lansing and Webster. For more information, please visit Senator Helming’s website, or follow @SenatorHelming on Facebook or Twitter.

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