Massena applying for grant for Schine Theater; hearing on plans is Tuesday

Bob Beckstead, Watertown Daily Times, N.Y.
·2 min read

Apr. 22—MASSENA — The Massena Village Board has set a public hearing for 3:45 p.m. Tuesday to discuss its plan to apply for Restore New York grant funding for the historic Schine Theater downtown.

The program provides municipalities with financial assistance for the revitalization of commercial and residential properties. It encourages community development and neighborhood growth through the elimination and redevelopment of blighted structures.

Funding is available for projects involving the demolition, deconstruction, rehabilitation and/or reconstruction of vacant, abandoned, condemned and surplus properties, including residential, commercial and mixed-use buildings.

Applications must be initiated by municipalities, demonstrate at least a 10% match, and hold a public hearing to discuss the application and the property assessment list.

Village Administrator Monique N. Chatland is encouraging residents to write letters of support for the grant funding.

"As you may or may not be aware, the Village of Massena, on behalf of the Massena Arts and Theater Association, will be submitting an application for Round 8 of the RESTORE NY grant to NYS Empire State Development for funding to be used to transform the historic Massena Schine Theater. In compiling the application, we would like to include letters of support to fortify our community's desire and the importance of funding this catalytic project," she wrote to residents.

Chatland asked people to "consider submitting a letter to reflect your unique perspective on the importance of having this historic Theater restored back to its natural beauty."

Letter can be emailed to Allison Smith at allison@massenaschinetheater.com before May 10.

The nonprofit Massena Arts and Theater Association was seeking $2,102,000 of Downtown Revitalization Initiative funding toward the anticipated $2,127,000 cost to stabilize the theater and address critical repairs to bring the space back to full use. But it did not make the list of projects approved by state officials. The organization has already undertaken several projects to bring the opening of the theater closer to reality. The last grant it received was used completely for asbestos abatement.

Most recently it received a $50,000 donation from SeaComm Federal Credit Union for the theater's restoration. The contribution is earmarked for the refurbishment of the vintage marquee, which will be remounted on the front of Massena's classic, pre-Depression-era theater.

"This donation further illustrates SeaComm's continued commitment to Massena in general and specifically the continuing efforts to revitalize our downtown." R. Shawn Gray, outgoing Massena Arts and Theater Association president said in a statement.

More information about the theater can be found on the organization's Massena Schine Theater Facebook page or its website at massenaschinetheater.com.