Downtown proposals get a closer look

WATKINS GLEN--The Downtown Revitalization Initiative is on schedule to produce a number of Watkins Glen projects that will receive state grant money to help the project become a reality.
Judy McKinney Cherry, executive director for the Schuyler County Partnership for Economic Development, said Friday, Jan. 19, "The local planning committee has reached a point where they are beginning to give the proposals that have been received a deeper look with an eye toward whether the state will fund the project. It's important to understand that the $10 million is a pot that the state controls, not the village or the local planning committee. We are simply providing a plan to the state. We are still accepting proposals for another week and then will have to stop so we can begin to really delve into whether the projects are achievable. The private proposals need to be transformational, contribute to a year-round economy and provide for year-round residential living in addition to jobs. All the information to date is on our website, www.flxgateway.com, including the follow-up questions to the proposers and their answers."
Cherry added, "l can't stress enough how important this is for the future of Watkins Glen and the surrounding communities. Even if a project isn't funded with the DRI monies, if a project is in the plan somewhere, they are given very strong points toward consolidated funding application grant monies. Anyone who thinks they will want grant monies over the next year or two should submit their project so it is in the plan."
A complete list of the projects that have been recommended and those that are not recommended are published on pages 3 and 4. These are not final lists; this shows the status of the projects after the fourth meeting of the local planning committee in January.