An $850,000 Small Project Fund for things like façade improvements and public art.
Upgrades to Chalybeate Park.
Sidewalks and streetscape improvements.
Rehab and redevelopment of a half-dozen historic buildings for apartments, artists’ galleries, and a tea house.
Klinkhart Hall.
Those are among the 19 projects submitted for NY Forward funding that the Village of Sharon Springs’ Local Planning Committee will be considering as it drafts a “slate” to forward for possible funding this fall.
The slate won’t be ranked or prioritized, Department of State Planner Danny Lapin told LPC members Tuesday at their third meeting since the village was picked for $2.25 million in state grants.
Tuesday’s work began with the crafting of a vision statement that focuses on the LPC’s end goals: an economic investment that builds on the community’s unique springs and historic architecture to “create a renewed vibrancy, anchored in a culture of wellness and the arts…”
From there, the LPC members fine-tuned their goals, one of the things they’ll consider when evaluating proposed projects.
They’ll also take a close look at whether the projects can be completed within the state’s two-year timeframe and whether the budget proposed for each is realistic.
Among the LPC’s goals: creating a diversity of housing options; supporting and promoting year-round arts, cultural events, and attractions; and prioritizing infrastructure improvements.
Projects that don’t make the cut for state consideration will still be in a “pipeline: for consideration for future grants, Mr. Lapin said.
The proposed projects total $5.6 million in asks for the $2.25 million; the state suggests submitting a slate of projects seeking between $4-$5 million.
LPC members agreed there will be a 25-30 percent required match.
The proposed projects:
• Sharon Springs Small Project Fund, requesting $300,000 for a $851,000 fund for things like façade improvements, public art of smaller scale renovations.
This proposal is from SEEC; it’s an exception in that it would require a 50 percent match.
• Chalybeate Park Improvements and DPW Relocation, a $1.65 million Village of Sharon Springs project seeking $850,000.
It would include installing amphitheater-style terraced landings, parking with porous pavement, and restoring the Chalybeate Temple.
• A $4,500 pedestrian park between 132 and 154 Main Street seeking $2,500.
This proposal isn’t eligible, Mr. Lapin said; there’s no site control and it’s not project-ready.
• Main Street Traffic Calming and Streetscape Improvements along Main Street from Division Street north to Pavilion Avenue.
The $900,000 project is seeking $855,000 and could include plantings, greenery, public benches, improved crosswalks, and reconfiguring the street to slow traffic.
• Main Street Sidewalk Replacement, $450,000 for a $800,000 project.
• Spa District Free Public Wi-Fi, $168,750 for a $187,000 project proposed by SEEC from the Adler Hotel to the library along Main Street.
• An American Legion request for $2,000 for American flags along Main Street.
This isn’t eligible if it’s an ongoing project, Mr. Lapin said, but might be if it’s just for flag purchases.
Total project cost is $3,750.
• Rehabbing the duplex at 108 Main Street, a $325,000 request for a $339,500 project.
• Rehabbing 118 Willow Street, the old synagogue, into an art gallery and studio space with a micro-apartment, seeking $47,000.
• The American Hotel, seeking $20,000 for second story deck replacement, a $38,750 cost.
• Rehab and redevelopment at the Black Cat Café, a $156,200 request; project cost is $238,700.
• Rehab and redevelopment of the Central Hotel and Mikvah for use as a hotel, event venue, summer youth STEM program, and Mikvah, $248,000 for clean-out, exterior and interior work, and landscaping; total project cost is $288,000.
• Phase II of rehabilitation at Klinkhart Hall, including stabilizing the first floor, installing a sprinkler system, and façade restoration, a $1.5 million request for a $2.6 million project.
• Renovations at the Lehman Block, 102 Main Street, a $169,875 request for a $226,500 project.
• Window replacement at the Paradise Inn, $25,200.
• Restoration of the Pavilion Cottages, $81,000 for a $166,000 project.
• Rehab of 136 Pavilion Avenue as the Pavilion Gardens as a tourist attraction/event venue, a $430,000 project seeking $250,000.
• Rehab of the Smith Empie Smith Building at 209 Main Street into multiple rental units, seeking $80,622 for a $108,622 project.
• The English Rose of Sharon Springs, seeking $45,000 to convert the former boarding house at 129 Willow Street into a five-suite bed and breakfast with a pub, beer garden, tea house, and swimming pool.
Total project cost is $90,000.