Montour Falls projects net $4.5 million from NY Forward. See what will be built in village

Chris Potter, Elmira Star-Gazette
·3 min read
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New construction of townhomes and dental offices, a Main Street transformation, help for local businesses ... those projects and more are in the works in Montour Falls after Gov. Kathy Hochul revealed NY Forward award winners on Friday.

Montour Falls was the Southern Tier's Round 1 winner of the $4.5 million NY Forward award in early 2023, along with the Village of Waverly in Tioga County. Project awards in Waverly and Johnson City, a Downtown Revitalization Initiative winner, were also announced Friday.

"New York is delivering vital support for New York’s downtowns, the lifeblood of our communities," Hochul said. "This funding for the Southern Tier will help communities carry out their plans to enhance the quality of life for New Yorkers, draw visitors, and spur economic opportunity in their downtowns to help the next generation of New Yorkers thrive."

NY Forward was established in 2022, offering another funding avenue to complement the $10 million DRI awards. The program targets revitalization projects in smaller, rural communities across the state.

"These dynamic, community-led Downtown Revitalization Initiative and NY Forward investments will further fuel the economic engines needed to support local businesses and foster economic growth," said Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight.

"The transformational and inclusive plans will infuse new life into the Johnson City, Montour Falls and Waverly communities, creating dynamic spaces and places that will benefit both current and future generations of residents."

Here are project descriptions and funding awards for the Montour Falls NY Forward Projects.

Enhance walkability, comfort on Main Street through streetscape improvements

A rendering of a Montour Falls project to enhance walkability and comfort on Main Street through streetscape improvements, one of six NY Forward Projects approved for the village. NY Forward allocated $971,000 for the project.
A rendering of a Montour Falls project to enhance walkability and comfort on Main Street through streetscape improvements, one of six NY Forward Projects approved for the village. NY Forward allocated $971,000 for the project.

Improve walkability and pedestrian comfort along Main Street with enhanced crosswalks, ADA-compliant curb ramps, curb bump-outs and sidewalk extensions, street trees, green infrastructure, benches, signage, public art installations, and gateway arches.

This project funding award is $971,000.

Build townhomes on vacant lot in downtown Montour Falls

A rendering of a Montour Falls project to build townhomes on a vacant lot in downtown Montour Falls, one of six NY Forward Projects approved for the village. NY Forward allocated $916,000 for the project.
A rendering of a Montour Falls project to build townhomes on a vacant lot in downtown Montour Falls, one of six NY Forward Projects approved for the village. NY Forward allocated $916,000 for the project.

Construct new townhomes on a vacant plot of land on N Genesee Street. These townhomes will be long-term rentals in the heart of downtown Montour Falls.

This project funding award is $916,000.

Build a new dental office and apartments on Catharine Street

A rendering of a Montour Falls project to build a new dental office and apartments on Catharine Street, one of six NY Forward Projects approved for the village. NY Forward allocated $685,000 for the project.
A rendering of a Montour Falls project to build a new dental office and apartments on Catharine Street, one of six NY Forward Projects approved for the village. NY Forward allocated $685,000 for the project.

Construct a new building on vacant property that will house an established dental practice, space for a commercial business, and new long-term apartments on Catharine Street. The building will include room to expand the dental practice.

This project funding award is $685,000.

Preserve the historic Brick Tavern Museum, incorporate accessibility improvements

A rendering of a Montour Falls project to preserve the historic Brick Tavern Museum and incorporate accessibility improvements, one of six NY Forward Projects approved for the village. NY Forward allocated $792,000 for the project.
A rendering of a Montour Falls project to preserve the historic Brick Tavern Museum and incorporate accessibility improvements, one of six NY Forward Projects approved for the village. NY Forward allocated $792,000 for the project.

Preserve the historic Brick Tavern Museum through interior and exterior improvements and a building extension to provide a space that is amenable to preserving the museum collection and that will ensure accessibility for all visitors.

This project funding award is $792,000.

Develop a Small Project Fund to help local businesses

Montour Falls was awarded $200,000 through NY Forward to develop a Small Project Fund to help local businesses, one of six NY Forward Projects approved for the village.
Montour Falls was awarded $200,000 through NY Forward to develop a Small Project Fund to help local businesses, one of six NY Forward Projects approved for the village.

Implement a grant fund for small projects in the NY Forward boundary that will support building renovations, facades, interior build outs, permanent equipment, awnings, and signage.

This project funding award is $200,000.

Improve lighting on N Catharine Street

A rendering of a Montour Falls project to improve street lighting on North Catharine Street, one of six NY Forward Projects approved for the village. NY Forward allocated $936,000 for the project.
A rendering of a Montour Falls project to improve street lighting on North Catharine Street, one of six NY Forward Projects approved for the village. NY Forward allocated $936,000 for the project.

Upgrade existing street lighting on Catharine Street to include infill pedestrian-level lighting to create a more comfortable environment for pedestrians at night.

This project funding award is $936,000.

More: Say yes to the dress at With Love Bridal Boutique, new downtown Elmira business

“These targeted, community-driven projects will benefit both residents and visitors alike, promoting economic growth and creating more vibrant downtowns where people will want to live, work, and play for generations to come,” said Judy McKinney-Cherry, Southern Tier Regional Economic Development Council Co-Chair and Executive Director of Schuyler County Partnership for Economic Development.

This article originally appeared on Elmira Star-Gazette: Montour Falls awarded $4.5 million from NY Forward