Canton plans next steps for downtown revitalization with $4.5 million grant

Jan. 28—CANTON — The announcement on Tuesday that Canton received a $4.5 million New York Forward grant, while long-awaited, is not the end of planning Canton's downtown revitalization. It is more like the beginning of the next step in a continuing project.

"There is a whole process," Canton Economic Development Director Leigh B. Rodriguez said after returning to Canton after the award announcement in Lake Placid.

Rodriguez said the first step is to meet with a consultant assigned by the state Department of State and begin the planning process.

Rodriguez said a local committee will have to be formed and a call for projects will need to be made.

On its application, the village included several possible projects for funding.

"It's not set in stone that the things on our application are what's going to get funded. There'll be another look at everything," Mayor Michael E. Dalton said.

Dalton said people may see the news of the award and realize something they were planning might now be possible.

"The idea is to leverage private monies and improve our community," Dalton said.

The 20-page application, appended with 22 letters of support from local organizations, includes a map and description of the area targeted for transformation.

"Canton's proposed NY Forward area encompasses approximately 60 acres, including the traditional central business district, portions of the Grasse River corridor, and its adjacent commercial and open space areas. This area is bordered by the natural beauty of the Village Green to the east, SUNY Canton to the north, Bend in the River Park to the south, and the Gouverneur Gateway and West Main Street to the west, with the Grasse River running through its center," the application states.

In the public meeting leading up to the drafting of the application, Rodrigues was adamant that having a compact area was essential to the grant evaluators.

The application lists past investments in the community from over the last 10 years — public and private — that total $217,753,200.

The projects range from $41,000 to transform the old Pizza Hut into a Verizon store to $36 million spent by St. Lawrence University, including the renovation of Appleton Arena.

The application also lists projects that are still being developed, totaling nearly $2 million, including a $450,000 upgrade to the Canton Daycare Center that will add classrooms and $38 million at Canton Central School to build new cafeterias, classrooms and performance spaces and new athletic facilities.

In the list of 12 proposed projects, five include improvement to housing opportunities in Canton, something Dalton said was essential to Gov. Kathleen C. Hochul.

"She specifically called out the town and village of Canton for being Pro-Housing Communities, Dalton said.

The projects on the list, which both Rodrigues and Dalton said have no guaranteed funding, are:

Midtown Plaza redevelopment, Miner Street: Laker Development, LLC, in partnership with SUNY Canton, will redevelop a vacant and derelict plaza in downtown Canton and create a mixed-use facility including the SUNY Canton Entrepreneurship Center, additional commercial space, and 44 market-rate apartments.

Riverside Revolution 24, 25, 27, 29 Riverside Drive: The project site is a key development lot along the waterfront of the Grasse River on Riverside Drive. The proposed mixed-use development will incorporate three stories of rental property, which will include three commercial/retail spaces on the bottom floor and two floors above, with nine total residential apartments.

Tick Tock, 9-11 Hodskin St.: This project will involve the renovation of the entire multi-use property, restoring and significantly improving a restaurant, bar, and multiple apartments.

Village Green, Main Street: The Project will enhance public space for arts and cultural events and provide amenities that support and improve downtown living and quality of life

Willow Island Project, East Main St.: This project will enhance the park with walking trails, performance space, a playground and bathrooms.

Riverside Gym, 11, 11 1/2 Riverside Dr.: The project will transform the run-down building into a mixed-use space, eventually including a gym, dance and yoga studios, and apartments.

Nature's Storehouse expansion, 21 Main St.: The project aims to merge properties 19 and 21 into a dynamic community hub emphasizing healthy living by introducing diverse dining options and wellness education.

Riverview Towers, 35, 37 Riverside Drive: This project will replace inefficient heating systems in both 35 and 37 Riverside Drive with a viable solution for local winter conditions.

Traffic reconfiguration: Riverside Drive/State Street/Chapel Street: This project will reorient Chapel Street and State Street where State Street meets Riverside Drive.

Canton Main Street Program: The Village of Canton is implementing a 2020 New York Main Street Grant. Original funding could only support seven projects, leaving ten building owners needing funding to update their historic buildings.

TAUNY Improvement Project, 53 Main St.: In 2023-24 Traditional Arts in Upstate New York will undertake a capital campaign at its center on Main Street to address several deficiencies at the facility.

Complete Streets: This project will create safe, convenient sidewalks and bike paths to several critical residential areas and special resources in the Village of Canton, including Canton Village Green, the Law Lane Housing Project, Riverview Towers and access to scenic areas of the Grasse River.

These projects will be re-evaluated along with any new projects that might be introduced, Rodrigues said. The process will include work with the state consultant, a local committee and public input.

"We're always looking for opportunities to move forward, whether it is small or big," Dalton said.