The Village Green in the village of Homer. (Photo provided by Kevin L. Smith of The Cortland Voice).
Disclaimer: The original version of this article contained an error, and the error has since been removed. Martin Sweeney, a historian for the village and town of Homer, is not a member of the Local Planning Committee (LPC). Sweeney, who spearheaded the Lincoln monument project, never said he was opposed to the monument project.
The Local Planning Committee (LPC) slashed some public projects on Wednesday off the slate of prospects to be submitted to state officials as part of the village of Homer’s Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) process.
The LPC, in charge of helping determine the projects that will go on a slate of new improvements to the village reviewed by state officials, axed three projects worth $3.7 million. The projects are as follows:
- Streetscaping and pedestrian safety improvements worth $3.1 million.
- A monument to historical figures of the village’s past that would have cost $500,000.
- Relocation of the village police station to the town hall, which would cost $100,000.
The village received $10 million back in February through the DRI program to beautify its downtown and strengthen the municipality’s economic outlook. At least $300,000 out of the pool of funds will go toward paying consultants who will shepherd the LPC’s eventual submission of a list of projects for state approval.
Village officials plan to use a 270-acre section of the locality as its DRI investment area, which includes the entirety of both the Old Homer National Register Historic District and the zoned Central Business District, including the Village Green. The area comprises the residential, commercial, civic, and religious structures that make up the core of the village.
Since Homer learned of the DRI award in February, consultants from C&S Companies and members of the LPC have organized public meetings to sort the projects and their specifications that will make it onto the final list delivered to the state. C&S representatives — including Emma Phillips, the leading consultant helping Homer — have also organized public outings and surveys to gauge the community’s interest in specific projects.
The slate of projects is divided into private projects — partially funded by the DRI — and public and nonprofit projects — fully funded by the DRI.
Public streetscaping and pedestrian safety enhancement projects
The project covers around a combined half a mile of roadways on Main Street, Pine Street, and Wall Street. It would include additional bump outs, mid-block crosswalks, potential bike lane markings, and other traffic calming measures. The improvements would cost around $3.1 million.
This project was highlighted by Phillips as one that received mixed reception by community members who took a survey with thoughts on the projects. The survey was taken by about 40 residents, Phillips noted.
“I wanted to point this out, because I think it brings up an item of note, which is that folks like (this project) they think it would be transformational in Homer, but they can't get behind the requested budget or potentially believe that it might not be cost effective,” Phillips said. “That the cost outweighs the benefits.”
Kevin Williams, a member of the LPC, said enhancements to the streetscape are needed.
“Whether we want to put (a high percentage) of the project funds on that right from the get go, I am not too sure about that,” Williams said.
Village mayor Hal McCabe said he also supported enhancements to the streetscape, but wants to find other sources of funding for it.
“I'm not saying I don't like this, I want to do this,” he said. “I just don't want to use the DRI money for it.”
Monument to historical figures of Homer
The monument would be two life-size statues of Francis B. Carpenter, a Homer man who painted the portrait of former U.S. President Abraham Lincoln, and William Osborn Stoddard, Lincoln’s former secretary who hailed from Homer. The project would cost $500,000 and would include four plaques, highlighting Homer’s close ties to Lincoln.
Mayor McCabe said he was strongly in support of the monument.
“This is the kind of thing that we're trying to promote,” he said. “This is a historic village and this is just one of the most important tie-ins to our history.”
Relocating Homer police to the town hall
This project would move the police station to the town hall, which LPC officials said would streamline operations and provide more efficient services. The village has already secured most of the funding to relocate the police force, leaving the project’s ask for DRI funds at $100,000.
Phillips said there was some public support for the project.
“Folks support this budget, almost 60%,” she said. “But that might be because it's our lowest budget at $100,000. But less than 50% think it's transformational.”
LPC members shared a similar sentiment, noting that they think the project will be funded whether or not DRI funds are used to cover the last $100,000.
The committee has to file its wish list with the state by Dec. 15, Phillips said. The LPC will meet at Homer Center for the Arts on Thursday (Nov. 2) to finalize the list of projects.
