Canal Corporation seeks to add businesses to renovated building on Rome waterfront

ROME, N.Y. — The New York State Canal Corporation, as part of a joint effort with the city of Rome and the New York Department of State, announced plans to pursue private investment for a building adjacent to the Erie Canal in Rome.

The 6,400-square-foot canal terminal building, located off the intersection of Mill Street and East Whitesboro Street, next to Bellamy Harbor Park, is a key component to the city’s waterfront-revitalization plans, according to a news release issued by the Canal Corporation. The building is also near former brownfield sites currently being transformed into mixed-use neighborhoods.

The Canal Corporation, at the request of Governor Andrew Cuomo, will work with the city to issue requests for proposals for waterfront and recreation-related businesses to occupy the building, according to the release.

Maintenance equipment currently in the facility will be removed to help accelerate the process, the Canal Corporation says. New developments to the building are expected to be complete in time for the 2016 Erie Canal navigation season, which begins in May.

The canal terminal building and Bellamy Harbor Park have received $2.1 million through the regional economic development council/consolidated funding application process, according to the release. The Canal Corporation did not specify when the money was awarded.

“We are thrilled to partner, yet again, with New York Canal Corporation and the Department of State to foster development along Rome’s waterfront,” Rome Mayor Joseph Fusco Jr. said in the release.

The canal terminal building was built in 1917.

Contact Nick Kapteyn at nkapteyn@cnybj.com