Nelson rededicates Flats on Broadway

    MONTOUR FALLS—The Flats on Broadway were rededicated, Thursday, Jan. 5, exactly 90 years after its original dedication as the Montour Falls Union Grammar School in 1922.
    The building, located on West Broadway Street, now houses eight apartments and will soon be the home of the Schuyler County Child Care Coordinating Council’s new day care center.  Andrew Tompkins, Schuyler County Historical Society director, explained the property was originally purchased in 1916 to replace the outdated Havana Union Free School and served as a school for 38 years.  A plaque dedicated to the school was unveiled at the ceremony.
    “It was a hub of activity and an important part of the community,” said Tompkins.
    The Flats on Broadway, owned and developed by Bruce Nelson, also used to house county and agency offices.  Between 1967 and 2008, the building was known as the Rural Urban Center and housed county offices, the sheriff’s department, Cornell Cooperative Extension, and municipal offices.  At the rededication, Schuyler County Partnership for Economic Development Executive Director Kelsey Jones reminisced about having the SCOPED offices in the building at one time.
    Nelson said the project took a lot of partnering between the local, state, and even federal level to complete.
    “I’m pleased to announce it’s nearly complete,” he said.
    The only remaining part of the Flats on Broadway that is not finished is the day care center.  Audrey Edminster, representative for the child care council, said they expect to be open by the end of January.  She explained the day care will be open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday to Friday.
    The center is broken up by age group.  Edminster said the facility will be able to take care of 59 children per shift, from six weeks old to after school programs for students up to grade 12.  She added the center is still taking applications.
    The eight apartments have not only been completed, but are also all occupied.  Resident Mary Simiele had her family’s apartment open to the public at the rededication.  She said she has been living there for four months.
    “It’s wonderful.  Bruce really pulled out all the bells and whistles,” she said.  “It’s one of the greatest things to happen to Schuyler County.”