GLOVERSVILLE - Plans to renovate four buildings downtown in an estimated $1.5 million project are moving forward.
Broadalbin-based Two Great Guys Realty was granted a variance earlier this month for some of the residential units within the project.
Seven units were smaller than the required 600- square-foot minimum in the city Zoning Code, creating the need for a variance.
The engineer on the project, Darrin M. Romeyn of Plan-It Building Design & Engineering in Gloversville, said Two Great Guys hopes to use the space as either long- or short-term rentals - as hotel rooms or apartments. There is no other hotel space downtown.
Romeyn said he plans to apply for a building permit within the next two weeks.
"This is going to be a big improvement for downtown Gloversville," Romeyn said. "It's going to offer a service currently not provided by offering hotel units in downtown, and it's going to look very nice and retain the historic character there originally. Hopefully, the combination of all those elements really attracts people to the area."
The units requiring the variance ranged from 85 percent to 90 percent of the required size.
A common hallway will connect the three buildings. A main corridor inside the first floors will provide access to the storefronts and connect everything to the elevator.
The board's decision stated the project "will improve the neighborhood."
"The layout given and apartments chosen on the second and third floors are substantially close to the minimum size," according to the decision, which went on to say the project "utilizes the space efficiently."
The project was granted a special permit and site plan in April for a mixed-use development for the four properties, which will be merged into one tax parcel.
Plans call for four storefronts and the one hotel space on the first floor, and 17 living spaces ranging from 502 to 1,609 square feet on the second and third floors of 20-24 S. Main St., and on the second, third and fourth floor of 26 S. Main St., which has a brownstone facade.
The third floor of 22 S. Main St., which burned in a fire, would be reconstructed, according to the plan. That building was once the home of Pitkin's Furniture and Floor Covering Co.
The buildings date back to the late 19th century and are located in the city's Historic District.
Romeyn has been working with the Historic Preservation Review Board on renovating the facade, including restoring the exterior in a Victorian color palette.
Romeyn said in February the project would likely be completed in two to three years.