State funding applications could lead to downtown revitalization
NORWICH – The City of Norwich is in the midst of several state funding applications, each of which – if awarded – would play a different role in improving business and employment opportunities, the overall quality of residential life and the economic vitality of the downtown area.
At Tuesday’s meeting of the Common Council, aldermen approved resolutions to apply for three New York State grants, including one that would assist a prospective developer in restoring the vacant buildings at 42 and 44-46 N. Broad.
The Consolidated Funding Application (CFA, or commonly referred to as Main Street funding) and Southern Tier Region Community Revitalization Program – the largest award the city is applying for – would be used in revitalizing the downtown area. In the past, similar awards have helped the city restore a run-down property at 24 East Main, and assisted merchants and building owners on North and South Broad streets with interior renovations and storefront restoration.
Though previous rounds of Main Street grants have been a huge success for the city, stipulations of the CFA won’t allow the same degree of flexibility, said Community and Planning Development Specialist Todd Dreyer.
“This round of funding provides a maximum of only 50 percent of the last round,” he explained, citing the $500,000 obtained through the previous round of funding. What’s more, city officials are uncertain if the new round of endowments will be in the form of grants or low-interest loans to be repaid by the city. Should funds be awarded in the form of a low-interest loan, the city may act as a “pass-through” entity to administer low-interest loans to participating property owners.
Certain forms of grant funding could also be provided on a reimbursement basis, requiring the city or property owner to pay project costs prior to receiving grant disbursements after the completion of a project.
If CFA money is awarded, intentions are to reserve a bulk of it for the Norwich Downtown Revitalization Program, a development project that entails large-scale renovations at 17-19 S. Broad St., and 42, 44-46 N. Broad St.
While plans for 17-19 S. Broad are still in the works, the city has been in contact with a proposed developer for the dilapidated buildings on North Broad and hopes are to assist in a rehabilitation project to restore commercial space on the first floor and allow for seven new apartments on the second and third floors.
In addition to funding through the CFA and Southern Tier Region Community Revitalization Program, the city is seeking grants in the amount of $28,860 through the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Environment Protection Fund to resurface the four tennis courts at Weiler Parks.
In the spring, an assessment of the tennis courts justified the need for resurfacing – an estimated $38,480 project. The Common Council approved an application for grant funding that would be reimbursed to the city upon completion of the project; however, the city must pay a 25 percent match ($9,620) of the project, which is required of applicants in zip codes with poverty rates of 10 percent or more.
A third grant, the Department of Environmental Conservation Urban and Community Forestry grant, would provide $5,250 in reimbursement grants to plant trees in city parks and along city streets in 2013 and 2014. An inventory of the city’s street trees is in progress; the city aims to use volunteer labor from the Norwich Rotary Club, The Place, and the Gardens Club to plant trees throughout the city, should funding be awarded. The city is required to provide matching funds and/or in-kind services contributions valuing at least 50 percent of the project.
At Tuesday’s meeting of the Common Council, aldermen approved resolutions to apply for three New York State grants, including one that would assist a prospective developer in restoring the vacant buildings at 42 and 44-46 N. Broad.
The Consolidated Funding Application (CFA, or commonly referred to as Main Street funding) and Southern Tier Region Community Revitalization Program – the largest award the city is applying for – would be used in revitalizing the downtown area. In the past, similar awards have helped the city restore a run-down property at 24 East Main, and assisted merchants and building owners on North and South Broad streets with interior renovations and storefront restoration.
Though previous rounds of Main Street grants have been a huge success for the city, stipulations of the CFA won’t allow the same degree of flexibility, said Community and Planning Development Specialist Todd Dreyer.
“This round of funding provides a maximum of only 50 percent of the last round,” he explained, citing the $500,000 obtained through the previous round of funding. What’s more, city officials are uncertain if the new round of endowments will be in the form of grants or low-interest loans to be repaid by the city. Should funds be awarded in the form of a low-interest loan, the city may act as a “pass-through” entity to administer low-interest loans to participating property owners.
Certain forms of grant funding could also be provided on a reimbursement basis, requiring the city or property owner to pay project costs prior to receiving grant disbursements after the completion of a project.
If CFA money is awarded, intentions are to reserve a bulk of it for the Norwich Downtown Revitalization Program, a development project that entails large-scale renovations at 17-19 S. Broad St., and 42, 44-46 N. Broad St.
While plans for 17-19 S. Broad are still in the works, the city has been in contact with a proposed developer for the dilapidated buildings on North Broad and hopes are to assist in a rehabilitation project to restore commercial space on the first floor and allow for seven new apartments on the second and third floors.
In addition to funding through the CFA and Southern Tier Region Community Revitalization Program, the city is seeking grants in the amount of $28,860 through the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Environment Protection Fund to resurface the four tennis courts at Weiler Parks.
In the spring, an assessment of the tennis courts justified the need for resurfacing – an estimated $38,480 project. The Common Council approved an application for grant funding that would be reimbursed to the city upon completion of the project; however, the city must pay a 25 percent match ($9,620) of the project, which is required of applicants in zip codes with poverty rates of 10 percent or more.
A third grant, the Department of Environmental Conservation Urban and Community Forestry grant, would provide $5,250 in reimbursement grants to plant trees in city parks and along city streets in 2013 and 2014. An inventory of the city’s street trees is in progress; the city aims to use volunteer labor from the Norwich Rotary Club, The Place, and the Gardens Club to plant trees throughout the city, should funding be awarded. The city is required to provide matching funds and/or in-kind services contributions valuing at least 50 percent of the project.
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