Senator Gallivan Applauds Over $2-Million for Revitalization Projects in Wyoming & Livingston Counties

Senator Patrick M. Gallivan (R-C-I, Elma) is applauding $2.1 million in funding to the villages of Warsaw, Geneseo and Avon through the latest round of the Restore New York Communities Initiative.  The program supports municipal revitalization efforts by awarding funding for projects that will reinvigorate downtowns and generate new economic opportunity.  Nearly $81-million was awarded to 71 municipalities statewide.

“Restore New York’s investment in rehabilitating these neighborhood properties and returning them to viability will further support overall community development,” Gallivan said.  “Revitalizing or removing these blighted and vacant buildings will boost community pride and encourage new private sector investment in these villages and throughout the region.”

The Village of Warsaw has been awarded $1,000,000 to help demolish a former nursing home located along North Main Street.  The parcel of land will then be combined with a neighboring parcel to create a new two-story hotel.

“I want to thank our representatives in Albany for making this possible,” said Wyoming County Board of Supervisors Chairman A. Douglas Berwanger.  “This project will not only enhance the Village of Warsaw, it will stimulate the economy of Wyoming County by attracting tourism and additional investments.”

“This has been a something we have been working on for several years and I can’t think of a better project,” said Town of Warsaw Supervisor Rebecca Ryan.  “This will greatly benefit our town and the tourism industry in Wyoming County.”

“This project is a lynchpin to economic development,” said Village of Warsaw Mayor Joseph Robinson.  “While the funding has been awarded to the village, the real beneficiaries are the people of Wyoming County.”

The Village of Geneseo will receive $700,000 in funding for the rehabilitation of the Geneseo Poor House on Millennium Drive.  Plans call for the conversion of the former Livingston County Home into a multi-tenant commercial building.

The Village of Avon has been awarded $400,000 in Restore New York funding for the Park Theater at 71 Genesee Street.  The building, which has been closed for about 15 years, will be renovated and converted to a mixed-use facility that will include a community theater.

Round five of the Restore New York Communities Initiative was enacted in the FY 2017 State Budget, and Empire State Development was designated to implement the program. Cities, towns 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. Projects located in economically distressed communities were emphasized and encouraged.