BROCTON - Revitalization efforts that could've been funded through grant opportunities to revitalize Brocton's Main Street will be put on hold for the time being.
Citing a "few reasons," Brocton's Mayor Dave Hazelton explained the reason the grant application process will be shelved, after a required public hearing was held at the start of the board of trustees' meeting. The public hearing was slated to be held in conjunction with the application for Community Development Block Grant monies that, if awarded, would've gone to improve the face of the village's downtown streetscape, in particular, giving resuscitation to a dilapidated building located at 10 East Main St.
"That building in particular, has recently (June 16) changed hands in the Chautauqua County tax sale, and with a new owner, there are limits with what would be able to take place in regards to revitalization," explained the mayor.
"The previous owner of the building had intended to sign over ownership of the building, allowing it to be part of the revitalization plans. But with a new owner, we're in a different situation. Now that the building has a new owner, we would not be able to spend taxpayers' dollars for the study that was scheduled to be done by Sandberg Kessler Architecture & Engineering. At this point, we've had to stop the process."
When asked if he was aware if the new owner, whose name has not been published as of yet, has specific plans for the building, Hazelton stated he and the board aren't sure but do believe there are "plans to renovate the building" at some point.
"While our hands are tied at this stage, we do welcome any willingness to invest in our community," added Hazelton.
If the village planned to start the grant application process over and move forward with the goals of revitalizing Brocton's Main Street, the mayor noted the village would be starting from scratch.
"The funds that we were seeking to accomplish revitalization require 50 percent owner-equity for the project to be fully funded. I would estimate that it would take at least $200,000 to completely renovate that building, and it would require the building's new owner to have half of that amount."
In regards to work being done at the former St. Stephens' Hotel property, the mayor added "It looks as though it's coming along nicely, and it's looking very favorable for the downtown appearance."
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