BY JEFF CHUDZINSKINorth Country This Week

MASSENA -- Work continues for some Downtown Revitalization Initiative projects but some residents continue to wonder just when exactly the bulk of the work will begin.

Mayor Greg Paquin provided a brief update for residents during a recent village board meeting, saying some projects have started, while others have yet to break ground.

"There's a few projects that have started. Actually, Mr. Beckstead’s project is complete and looks fantastic. I know Mr. Kassian is in the process of starting his this year. Mr. Fiacco is in the process of beginning his," Paquin said.

Those projects mentioned include a historic restoration of the property at 48 Main St., sponsored by Bruch Beckstead.

Michael Kassian is sponsoring renovations for the property listed at 94-96 Main St., which was a former grocery store that will be renovated for use as a professional space or for retail purposes.

GoCo Massena LLC, which is owned by William and Susan Fiacco, will continue the work on the former J.J. Newberry building at the corner of Main and Andrews streets. That project will see the creation of apartments, retail and office space, along with a rooftop deck.

A space for light manufacturing and commercial ice cream sales, along with yogurt and cheese production will be established at 37 Water St. The building will also feature a retail store front.

Though some projects are well underway, Paquin noted that it is a multi-year process that will continue to play out, often behind the scenes and out of the eye of the public.

As for the village itself, trustees say downtown streetscape enhancements like new lighting, sidewalks, trees and under bridge lighting will slowly be rolled out.

Paquin said part of that work will tie into the downtown riverwalk project, which will be a scenic path along the Grasse River.

“The question came up in regards to the riverwalk and the streetscape. I think what everyone needs to understand about those two projects, those are going to be last because we want everybody else to get theirs complete, specifically the streetscape. We want all that done,” Paquin said.

Paquin said that work has not begun yet, however some contracts for those projects have been signed already. Paquin asked for patience from the public as loose ends are tied up.

"Again, we have five years from the time this all started. You're not going to see these projects, I wouldn’t even say they would start next summer. I think those two projects wouldn’t start until the summer after. It’s a slow process and I’ve been preaching patience with this since we got this award.”

Coming from the DRI, the village has also been able to award two rounds of CORE of the Community grant funding to local businesses hoping to improve their buildings, secure new equipment and enhance their signage.

Village Administrator Monique Charland previously said the two rounds of funding were very successful and would benefit a number of businesses in the DRI zone.