Madison County selects Buffalo firm to develop “Pocket Neighborhood” project along old Erie Canal

CANASTOTA, N.Y. — Madison County officials have selected Savarino Companies of Buffalo to develop the “Pocket Neighborhood” project along the Old Erie Canal in Canastota.

As the developer, Savarino Companies will develop a “unique pocket neighborhood” that incorporates a blend of housing, mixed-use commercial space, and recreational opportunities, the office of Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Wednesday.

STREAM Collaborative of Ithaca and CJS Architects of Buffalo will also support the effort of Savarino on this project, Cuomo’s office said.

Madison County officials’ vision for the project involves a neighborhood on 2.5 acres of land in Canastota. It will include various styles of housing to accommodate residents in “different stages of their lives to encourage community-building,” per Cuomo’s office. Savarino Companies’ proposed neighborhood would incorporate retail and commercial space and “take advantage” of 252 feet of Old Erie Canal frontage.

Madison County first envisioned this project, becoming the first-place winner of the Reimagine the Canals competition in 2018.

The state is providing Madison County $1.5 million in state funding to support the redevelopment of the site — 160 East Center St. in Canastota — which the county secured in January 2020.

Prior to issuing a request for qualifications, county officials completed initial environmental assessments and a preliminary market analysis, Cuomo’s office said. They also created renderings, concepts, and site-layout designs to help the selected developer during the pre-construction phase of the project.

Madison County officials will work with Savarino to complete a market study and real estate analysis to determine “more specifically” what crews can build on the site and how much organizers will have to borrow to help pay for construction. Site analysis and planning will follow to finalize the actual site layout and design of the project.

“This project will be a tremendous step forward in our efforts to bring visitors and new residents alike to Canastota,” Rosanne Warner, mayor of the Village of Canastota, said. “We are hopeful that it will demonstrate to other communities how to repurpose and revitalize their waterfronts. We are grateful to NYPA and the Canal Corporation for recognizing the potential of this project and look forward to working with the developer to bring it to life.”