POTSDAM – The Village of Potsdam is seeking $600,000 this year through a New York State Small Cities Community Development Block Grant to rehabilitate the village’s cross-town canal.

The canal was built in the early 1900s. It remains a significant component of the village’s storm water management system. The canal intercepts and carries storm water runoff from the northeast corner of the village and conveys it to the Raquette River.

A hearing on the proposal is set for 9 a.m. Thursday, July 16 in the Civic Center Board Room.

A summary of the village’s proposal for funding can be reviewed in the Office of the Village Clerk or the Planning and Development Office, both in the Civic Center.

The funds are being sought because the canal has proved insufficient at various times in the last few years. A storm in 2010 overwhelmed the canal and resulted in flooding to homes in the area of Broad, Waverly, Pleasant and Garden streets. Residents said at the time that was not the first time the canal had not carried off storm water fast enough to prevent road and house flooding

A subsequent engineer’s report indicated sediment and debris accumulation and utility conflicts put in place since it was first built were restricting flow. Some future sediment deposition has been forestalled with measures taken upstream of the canal, but more needs to be done.

The village Director of Planning and Development Fred Hanss said the funds sought will be applied to contracting for legal, engineering, environmental review services and permits; installation of dual siphon and directional boring to eliminate conflict between water and sewer lines and storm water flows on Pleasant and Leroy streets; removal of sediment and debris along the canal at Broad, Pleasant and Leroy streets; and installation of hydrodynamic separators accessible through manholes at Potsdam Central School and Canton-Potsdam Hospital to separate out sediment, debris and pollutants from the storm water flow.

The proposal for $600,000 in CDBG funds would be matched by $140,000 from the village, mainly from in-kind labor and materials through the village Department of Public Works.

Written comments on the grant proposal can be submitted until 4 p.m. Monday, July 27. They can be directed to Village Clerk Lori S. Queor, Potsdam Civic Center, 2 Park St., Potsdam, N.Y., 13676.