Southern Tier downtowns awarded more than $7 million for improvement projects

ALBANY, N.Y. — The fifth round of funding for the Restore New York Communities Initiative will fund millions of dollars in work in the Southern Tier.

Ithaca will receive $1 million to rehabilitate four underused buildings on West State Street, including reconstruction of one historic property, Empire State Development (ESD) said in material announcing the state funding.

Sherburne will receive $1 million to undertake the second phase of restoration to the Sherburne Inn, ESD said.

The Village of Waverly will get $1 million for the restoration of the former village hall, fire station, and police station at 358 Broad St. ESD said the work will create residential units and renovate commercial space.

The first phase of the Southern Tier Agricultural Foundry Development, in the Village of Johnson City, will be allocated $942,300, ESD said. The money will help rehabilitate 19 Avenue B, addressing vacancy and blight in the urban core.

The Village of Elmira Heights will receive $875,000 for the renovation of the building at the corner of Oakwood Avenue and 14th Street.

The Village of Owego will get $875,000 to rehabilitate vacant buildings at 167 to 169 and 171 Baldwin Street, ESD said.

The City of Elmira will be provided $508,400 for the rehabilitation of the former Schreibman’s and Delaney buildings on Baldwin Street to convert the vacant space into mix-use properties.

Binghamton will receive $60,000, according to ESD, to demolish residential properties at 10 Franklin St., 36 Winding Way and 168 Oak St.

 “With our support, cities and towns are tearing down vacant, blighted buildings and rehabilitating outdated structures to help revitalize their community and generate new economic opportunities,” said Howard Zemsky, the president and CEO of Empire State Development.

Contact McChesney at cmcchesney@cnybj.com