These are the Waverly projects that will be paid for with $4.5 million from NY Forward

The wait is over.

Gov. Kathy Hochul on Friday announced funding for nine NY Forward projects in the Village of Waverly, from transformations of Broad Street to new housing units and renovations of Soprano’s Market.

Waverly was the Southern Tier's Round 1 winner of the $4.5 million NY Forward award in early 2023, along with the Village of Montour Falls in Schuyler County. Project awards in Montour Falls 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 Waverly NY Forward Projects.

Enhance walkability, comfort on Broad Street through streetscape improvements

Provide physical streetscape improvements on Broad Street including but not limited to enhanced crosswalks, new sidewalks, pedestrian-level streetlighting with arms to hang flags or planters, curb bumpouts, signage, landscaping, street trees, benches and enhanced parking and open space.

This funding award is $960,000.

Renovate East Waverly Park

Create a family and youth focused recreation facility with new pickle ball courts, a splash pad, walking trails, fishing holes, softball field, basketball court, playground, new parking area, and rehab of existing restroom and kitchen.

This funding award is $1,196,000.

Establish Waverly waterfront access and trails

Create a new park on land bordered by the Chemung River that will encourage paddling, boating, fishing, hiking, and passive recreation in the Village of Waverly.

This funding award is $795,000.

Renovate Soprano’s Market and build an outdoor seating area

Upgrade the established Soprano's Market with a new outdoor patio, additional site lighting, new siding and insulation, roof replacement, and rehabilitation of the parking lot.

This funding award is $420,000.

Upgrade historic building and create upper-level housing above an established sports bar

Build new fully furnished apartments on the vacant upper floors of a historic building on Broad St that also houses an established sports bar and create an outdoor deck in the rear of the building to be used by residents.

This funding award is $156,000.

Convert a Victorian home into a multiuse residential and commercial space

Complete the final phases of a conversion of an historic Victorian home and neighboring vacant lot into a mixed use building with commercial space, upper floor apartment, and green space for outdoor gatherings.

This funding award is $300,000.

Construct a multiuse commercial building in downtown Waverly

Construct a new mixed-use commercial space on Cayuta Ave to house a café, offices, retail shop, and rentable conference room.

This funding award is $317,000.

Improve Fitness Center on Broad Street

Raise the interior ceiling at an established fitness center on Broad Street to allow for better air circulation in gym and other improvements including new glass doors and windows and new drainage onsite to prevent ice caused by flooding onsite.

This funding award is $156,000.

Develop a Small Project Fund to help local businesses

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 funding award is $200,000.

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“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: Waverly awarded $4.5 million for NY Forward projects