Cortland, Homer awarded state funds for key development projects

CORTLAND, N.Y. — Two significant development projects in Cortland County have been awarded state funding, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced Monday.

The city of Cortland was awarded $1 million to renovate the P&C Plaza into a hub for nonprofits, including a YWCA childcare center, Cornell Cooperative Extension, the Cortland County Historical Society, Seven Valleys Health Coalition, with plans for a year-round farmers market.

The village of Homer was also awarded $1 million to go toward the reconstruction and renovation of 23 S. Main Street into living units and commercial space, and the upper floors of 1-3 S. Main St. into six loft-style apartments.

The money comes from the Restore New York Communities Initiative, which was enacted in the 2017 state budget. The effort is implemented by Empire State Development, and eligible projects are those that include demolition, deconstruction, rehabilitation, or reconstruction of vacant or blighted properties.

"I'm very pleased to hear about the important projects in my Assembly district that will be supported by this latest round of Restore NY funding," New York State Assemblywoman Barbara Lifton said. "From the transformation of a vacant parking lot into a new building that will house retail and not-for-profits in the City of Cortland to the creation of much-needed housing in the City of Ithaca, this funding will bring major community benefits."

Three other municipalities in central New York were awarded funding for various development projects:

  • City of Syracuse - $4,867,681 - Demolition and/or rehabilitation of 20 sites within the urban core of the city to support the Northside Transformation Initiative. All 20 buildings are immediately adjacent to the Central Business District, and this project will create new residential units and commercial spaces.
  • 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 Oneida - $700,000 - Rehabilitation of 155 Madison Street to create eight new apartments on the top two floors of a mixed-use facility.

A complete list of projects can be found here.