EDITOR’S NOTE: The Bricks & Mortar Report will provide updates Mondays on major construction projects in Chenango County.

Downtown Norwich Parks Restoration project:
• Friends of the Parks continues to explore ways of funding proposed electrical, landscaping and other infrastructure upgrades to the county seat’s East and West Parks. A Great Gatsby-themed gala event is planned for June 1 to “keep awareness of the project out front,” Friends’ chairperson Eric Larsen said.
• A previously submitted New York State Quality Communities Grant application was unsuccessful in securing the initial funding for the estimated $1 million project. City of Norwich planners and the Norwich Business Improvement District plan to submit a request for another member item this year.
• The Friends organization has already secured a letter of commitment from NBT Bank for $10,000. The grant application was approved by the Chenango County Board of Supervisors.

Flood rehabilitation work:
• Town of Columbus officials plan a detour this month around access to Hemlock Road as flood remediation work there continues. Highway crews will close county Rte. 25 through the center of town in order to replace a culvert pipe. Guide rails have been removed temporarily.

Housing Starts (modular, double wide and stick built):
• Chenango County Codes Enforcement reported the following new housing starts in March and April: one each in Smithville, Afton, Oxford and German; two in Coventry, Smyrna and Norwich; and three in Guilford.

McLaughlin’s parking lot and facade improvement:
• A contract between the City of Norwich and the longtime downtown department store that would enable the city to lease the store’s rear parking lot has been passed from the city’s attorney onto the retailer’s attorney for review, according to Anna McLaughlin. With the lease, the city’s public works department would improve and maintain the lot that has been traditionally used by most downtown shoppers.
• A $400,000 restoration project is currently pending review by the New York State Office of State Historical Preservation. The store’s owners plan to remove the 1960s era metal facade this summer and restore its original red brick front.
• About half of the project’s cost will be covered by Main Street Grant matching funds available via the Downtown Business Improvement District. McLaughlin said contractors have already been selected for the project.

Sherburne Subdivision:
• Developer Don Westcott applied for a review before the Chenango County Planning Committee in April to divide a parcel of land along state Route 12B in the Town of Sherburne into four, 2-acre building lots.

West Lake Village Community, Sherburne:
• The condominium housing phase of this maintenance-free development for maturing adults on state Rte. 80 is nearing completion. According to Don Westcott of Westcott Three LLC, a building lot has been sold and a two-story modular home is soon to be delivered.