Canajoharie set to seek grant for downtown work

By KERRY McAVOY, The Leader-Herald
CANAJOHARIE — The village is moving forward with its plan to renovate and revitalize the downtown area.

Cooperstown-based consultant Dave Carlson on Monday gave a presentation to the Village Board about applying for a state grant to continue the Canajoharie Revitalization Project.

The Small Cities grant would help the village offset the cost of repairs and replacements as it tries to restore and beautify Main and Church streets.

The village wants to secure a $650,000 grant to help property owners renovate the interiors and exteriors of their downtown buildings.

Carlson said $200,000 of that amount would be available for streetscape improvements such as sidewalks, lights, trees and other decorative touches.

Carlson said the $200,000 could be used to help secure an additional grant as well. A transportation grant will be available in June, he said, which would allow the village to make further improvements.

The village would need to match the funds from the state. Carlson said this could be risky, because the village has not yet received the $200,000 in funds for the streetscape improvements.

Carlson said the funding could not be used for actual road maintenance, such as paving, but it could be used to spruce up sidewalks and make other aesthetic improvements.

The amount of transportation grant funding available is uncertain, Carlson said. It could be used for things such as trails and landscaping.

The board asked Carlson to write a proposal so it has something to vote on at its next meeting.

Board member Jeffrey Baker said he was concerned about the unforeseen hidden costs of the project.

“I see maintenance coming along with this beautification,” Baker said.

Carlson said there would be no money in the grants for ongoing maintenance of the area.

“We would have to fund that ourselves,” Carlson said.

The board also allowed Carlson to start contacting local leaders for letters of support. Carlson said he will contact state lawmakers to get their support for the funding.

The village already has helped several property owners give new life to their buildings.

The next renovation project will be at Mercato’s Restaurant. The project will be handled by Crawford & Stearns of Syracuse, a contractor that has done work on many local buildings. Mercato’s is the last part of the 2006 phase of the project.

The Canajoharie Revitalization Project recently won an award from the Preservation League of New York State for its efforts to “bring back Main Street USA.”

The project’s leaders will be given the award along with Crawford & Stearns and The Mohawk Valley Heritage Corridor Commission May 15 in New York City.

The Village Board voted to accept a bid for sewer replacement work at 29 Church St. The contract for $23,800 will go to Horning Construction of Rochester, Monroe County.

A sewer pipe was found to have large holes in it and is creating problems underground. Work will begin soon and should be completed by the end of the month, officials said.

The building is planned to be renovated as park of the revitalization project sometime this year.



Kerry McAvoy covers Montgomery County news. She can be reached by e-mail at montco@leaderherald.com.