Committee narrows downtown improvement projects

PENN YAN--The committee assigned to choose downtown projects for the state's $10 million Penn Yan Downtown Revitalization Initiative met Tuesday, Jan. 22. The group has narrowed their list of high-priority projects to 18 development sites representing a total of $20,765,865 in improvement capital. Originally, more than 30 projects were submitted for consideration.
Kailee Van Brunt, a planner with the coordinating architectural firm LaBella Associates, said the committee scoring the Penn Yan projects is not final and more details will be considered in the next 30 days. In March, once the committee's work is complete, the list will be narrowed to a $15 million total and then the state will select $9.7 million of the projects to complete. As of last week, the Penn Yan projects include:
Sampson Theater, 138 East Elm St., building renovations, total cost: $4,250,000, request $3,750,000.
New Knapp on Main Street, 2-8 Main St., building renovations, total cost: $$3,500,000, request $1,750,000.
Struble Arcade, 148 Main St., building renovations, total cost: $4,600,000, request $2,300,000.
Liberty Lofts, 201 Elm St., re-develop and re-purpose northwest corner of Liberty and Elm Streets, total cost: $8,728,000, request $4,000,000.
Downtown parks and trails, Outlet trail, marsh boardwalk, bridge, total cost: $2,000,000, request $2,000,000.
Downtown parking, visitor services, streetscape enhancements, total cost: $1,965,838, request $1,965,838.
Water Street townhomes, 131-147 Water St., 120 Wagener St., develop new two story, for sale single family townhome condominiums, total cost: $4,374,600, request $1,500,000.
Belknap building, 104-106 Main St., multi-use building renovations, total cost: $1,200,000, request $600,000.
Laurentide Inn, 158 Main St., building renovations, total cost: $594,504, request $297,252.
Milly's Pantry, 19-23 Main St., install elevator/stairs, total cost: $521,200, request $521,200.
126 Main St. Apartments, 126 Main, renovate second and third floors, total cost: $350,000, request $175,000.
Birkett Commercial Buildout, 130 Water St., four story mixed use property, construct a restaurant, total cost: $500,000, request $200,000.
107 Main St., 107 Main, renovate and redevelop the property, total cost: $282,800, request $157,800.
114-116 Main St., 114-116 Main St., mixed use building, renovate upper floors for residential units, total cost: $847,550, request $423,775.
Barron House, 3 Main St., mixed use with a restaurant on the main floor and second floor apartment, other building renovations, total cost: $400,000, request $200,000.
Little Elm, 124 Elm St., inside the existing Microtel Inn and Suites, redevelop to include an upscale restaurant, total cost: $500,000, request $250,000.
Building Improvement Fund, established to provide grant funding for applicants to partially support interior and exterior building improvements. Request $600,000.
Village Bakery, 132-138 Water St., renovate to attract a specialty bakery and leverage opening a new restaurant. Total cost: $150,000, request $75,000.
Van Brunt noted the committee and consultants will also be looking further into details for the Penn Yan Opera House renovations. This is the building at 115 Main St. and Longs' Cards and Books is located on the main floor. The building renovations being considered include work on the second and third floor for residential living units.
The next public meeting is scheduled for Feb. 11 at the Penn Yan Academy and the committee is also planning another meeting Feb. 26. The committee's slate of DRI projects will be presented Wednesday, March 13.