City goes for grant to rehab derelict homes
NORWICH – A resolution was passed at Tuesday night’s Common Council meeting to allow the city to apply for a community development grant. The “Restore New York” grant was just announced and would provide the city with money for demolition and reconstruction of certain properties.
Todd Dreyer of the city’s Community Development office spoke to council members about the opportunity. He said the grant is for residential redevelopment and that several properties had already been identified as possible construction sites. One such site is at 96 Silver St., now a vacant piece of property. Other possible sites are fire-damaged or otherwise condemned properties, some of which are already city owned. Houses would be built on these sites and then sold, returning them to the tax roles.
The grant would provide money for both demolition and reconstruction costs. The cost to the city would be a minimum of a 10 percent cash match. Although Dreyer mentioned that applications for the grant showing a city contribution of more than 10 percent would be viewed higher.
While aldermen seemed to think this grant would be of help to the city, there was much debate about the question of building single or multi-family units on the sites.
Dreyer expressed that the grant application should not be hurt if it is decided that only single family dwellings should be built.
“If the council wants single family units, I have no problem with that, but the structures will have to match the architecture of the surrounding area,” Dreyer said, meaning that in most places two-story structures would have to be constructed.
“This is exactly what the city has needed,” said Third Ward Alderman Suzanne Williams, thanking Dreyer for finding and pursuing the grant.
Dreyer believes the City of Norwich has at least a 50 percent chance of getting the grant because “we meet the criteria and we are not asking for an unreasonable amount of money.”
The city’s Planning Board gave this project its unanimous support. A public hearing will be held on Sept. 12 to discuss the details of this matter.
Todd Dreyer of the city’s Community Development office spoke to council members about the opportunity. He said the grant is for residential redevelopment and that several properties had already been identified as possible construction sites. One such site is at 96 Silver St., now a vacant piece of property. Other possible sites are fire-damaged or otherwise condemned properties, some of which are already city owned. Houses would be built on these sites and then sold, returning them to the tax roles.
The grant would provide money for both demolition and reconstruction costs. The cost to the city would be a minimum of a 10 percent cash match. Although Dreyer mentioned that applications for the grant showing a city contribution of more than 10 percent would be viewed higher.
While aldermen seemed to think this grant would be of help to the city, there was much debate about the question of building single or multi-family units on the sites.
Dreyer expressed that the grant application should not be hurt if it is decided that only single family dwellings should be built.
“If the council wants single family units, I have no problem with that, but the structures will have to match the architecture of the surrounding area,” Dreyer said, meaning that in most places two-story structures would have to be constructed.
“This is exactly what the city has needed,” said Third Ward Alderman Suzanne Williams, thanking Dreyer for finding and pursuing the grant.
Dreyer believes the City of Norwich has at least a 50 percent chance of getting the grant because “we meet the criteria and we are not asking for an unreasonable amount of money.”
The city’s Planning Board gave this project its unanimous support. A public hearing will be held on Sept. 12 to discuss the details of this matter.
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