Funding plans emerge for Waddington, Cape Vincent and Lyons Falls, winners of NY Forward grants

Waddington will use $1 million to transform the village’s gateway and streetscape along Main Street with improved walkways, landscaping, attractive design elements, and the creation of a gateway feature to establish a welcoming and distinctive pedestrian-friendly downtown.

They’ll use another $1 million to restore the historic Clark House to create an estimated nine-room boutique hotel on the second and third floors, including a lobby, food service and meeting space, in addition to the creation of one-bedroom apartments that are accessibility compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Another $200,000 will be used to establish a locally managed matching fund to advance downtown business and beautification. The fund will be available for a range of smaller downtown projects such as façade enhancements, building renovation to commercial or mixed-use spaces, business assistance and public art.

The final $50,000 will be used to develop a branding initiative that includes the development of a new village logo, slogan and marketing materials to promote downtown Waddington as a destination.

“As Mayor of Waddington, I’m thrilled at New York State’s decision to fund many of Waddington’s NY Forward projects,” Mayor Michael J. Zagrobelny said in a statement. “The reimagining of Main Street, restoration of the historic Clark House, along with dedicated funds to help small businesses and build the brand of Waddington will be the keys to Waddington’s revival. Waddington is the hidden gem of the St. Lawrence River; through this award, we hope to shine a light on the promise of a revitalized Northern NY for healthy community living and a vibrant economy.”

In Cape Vincent, $2,689,000 will be used to design and implement streetscape improvements on the Broadway Street corridor to create a cohesive and welcoming downtown.

The village will use $850,000 to create a Club Street waterfront park as a downtown destination by installing play equipment, structured seating, water feature, pavilion, firepit, signage, landscaping and new walkways.

They’ll also use $600,000 to activate the Club Street corridor to create a welcoming pedestrian-friendly zone. Proposed elements include distinctive road surface and removable bollards to create cohesive access to the waterfront.

Another $300,000 will be used to establish a locally managed matching small project fund that can be used to undertake a range of smaller downtown projects such as façade enhancements, building improvements to commercial or mixed-use spaces, business assistance or public art projects.

The final $61,000 will be used to rejuvenate the village green. The funding will allow them to restore and upgrade performance platform, install new lamp posts, add new walls and flower beds, and replace aging benches to enhance public space in the heart of the community.

“With great excitement for the village we are fortunate to have these opportunities to grow the downtown and the heart of Cape Vincent. We are appreciative of the state’s support as this will help all our local businesses,” Mayor Jerry Golden said in a statement.

Lyons Falls will undertake four projects with its funding. Among them is $1.9 million to transform and enhance the village’s connectivity and streetscape with improved intersections, walkways, landscaping, and attractive design elements to establish a welcoming and distinctive pedestrian-friendly downtown environment throughout Cherry, McAlpine and Center streets.

They’ll also use $150,000 to redevelop a vacant and underutilized former mill site into a public space with the addition of green space, public seating areas and a river overlook.

Another $150,000 will be used to create a locally managed matching small project fund to undertake a range of smaller downtown projects such as façade enhancements, building improvements to commercial or mixed-use spaces, business assistance or public art projects.

The village will use the final $50,000 to develop downtown marketing and branding to target residents, visitors, investors and developers.

“We are very excited to get this process started in Lyons Falls. We cannot wait to see the transformation that these projects will bring to the village and the surrounding area. Thank you to Governor Hochul and the New York Department of State for all your efforts,” Mayor Donna Dolhof said in a statement.

According to a press release from Gov. Kathleen C. Hochul, NY Forward was created in 2022 to revitalize smaller and rural communities throughout the state so that all communities could benefit from the state’s revitalization efforts, regardless of size, character, needs and challenges. It’s led by the Department of State with assistance from Empire State Development, Homes and Community Renewal, and the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority.

In the first two rounds of NY Forward, the state has committed $200 million, investing in 43 smaller and rural downtowns.

“The Downtown Revitalization Initiative and NY Forward programs provide vital support for New York’s downtowns,” Hochul said in a statement. “This funding for the North Country will help communities carry out their plans to enhance the quality of life for New Yorkers, draw visitors, and spur economic opportunity for generations to come.”