A crowd of about 25 helped Cobleskill refine its list of projects that millions in grants might pay for Tuesday night.
Held at the Community Library, the meeting was the second about state grants the village will apply for: Downtown Revitalization Initiative, up to $10 million; and New York Forward, about $3 million.
The intent of the grants, both highly competitive, is to make communities better places to live, work and visit.
Mayor Becky Stanton-Terk and consultant Brendon Becker reviewed the projects presented at an earlier meeting and heard residents chime in with their suggestions. (See related story.)
“What is your vision for the future of Cobleskill?” Mayor Stanton-Terk asked the audience, with Mr. Becker adding that public input is essential.
Mr. Becker outlined the nine projects already proposed:
•Painting the railroad trestle on the east side with a SUNY Cobleskill theme.
•Helping the Jan family, who purchased the former Best Western, with landscaping and façade work.
“It’s important to partner with private investors,” Mr. Becker said.
•Building a community center at Nick Iorio Park. The village already received a $400,000 state grant for a new playground and skateboard, volleyball and basketball courts, Mayor Stanton-Terk said, so the community center would be a good fit.
Resident Nancy Van Deusen, however, argued that Golding Park would be a better location for the community center because it’s downtown.
•Drainage work and sidewalks on Grandview Drive for people walking to the hospital.
•A courtyard at the former Brothers Three Restaurant, now vacant, on Main Street. The project would partner with owner Dan Meaney.
•Affordable housing on Grove Street.
“There is a great need for housing,” Mayor Stanton-Terk said.
•A cow statue at the community plaza at the corner of Main and Division Streets. It would note the area’s farm culture and could encourage businesses to sponsor statues around the village, Mr. Becker said.
“It could be similar to the horses in Saratoga,” he added.
“I like the cow,” one woman commented.
•A bypass road from MacArthur Avenue to Route 7 on the East End. If a road wasn’t possible, the route could be a walk/bike path, Mr. Becker said.
•College officials have talked with Amtrak about making Cobleskill a passenger stop, and “it sounds like Amtrak is in favor,” according to Mr. Becker. The station or stop would be near Locomotions.
There’s still work to do on these proposals and others suggested by the public before the grant application is due at the end of September, Mr. Becker said.
“We want to make this as impactful as possible,” Mayor Stanton-Terk said. “We have to make this application very strong.”
To make the final list, Mr. Becker said he’ll develop budgets for the projects and meet with grant consultants who’ll give advice on the projects.
“They’re the ones who’ll say, ‘These are your winners,’ ” Mr. Becker said. “We’ll rely on their technical input.”
There’s still time to comment and make suggestions. Email cobleskilldri-@gmail.com.