POTSDAM — The Village of Potsdam’s $10 million funding award from the state’s Downtown Revitalization Initiative program is now available, it was announced Wednesday, May 19.

"The village of Potsdam was thrilled to have been selected by Gov. Cuomo as one of the 2019 recipients of the Downtown Revitalization Initiative,” said Mayor Reinhold J. Tischler, in a press release from the governor’s office.

“Our local planning team, state agency partners and consultants released a call for projects that resulted in Potsdam receiving 42 downtown revitalization proposals,” Tischler said.

“Fourteen of these were included in our strategic investment plan based on their potential to have a transformational impact on downtown Potsdam. The Governor selected 8 projects focusing on private commercial development, streetscape enhancements, the arts, culture and waterfront recreation. We believe these projects will fundamentally change downtown for the better, making Potsdam the best place to live, work, study and play in St. Lawrence County. We appreciate Governor Cuomo's commitment to our community and look forward to the successful completion of these important revitalization projects."

Potsdam was named a round 4 winner in October 2019. With this award, the village will leverage recent momentum and investment in the North Country to create a more cohesive, vibrant destination for visitors, residents, and businesses, said the press release from the governor’s office.

The village will enhance waterfront amenities, improve streetscapes and pedestrianization. Potsdam will also bolster arts and cultural organizations and foster tourism within the village to provide a future that balances the preservation of community character and natural resources with economic development, the press release said.

Projects funded through the initiative will:

• Relocate and Expand Potsdam Food Co-op - $1,659,000: Business expansion of the food co-op, including the acquisition of new property, renovation, equipment, and marketing.

• Expand the North Country Children's Museum - $1,400,000: Business expansion of the children's museum into the second floor, including basement-and first-floor renovations to accommodate an elevator.

• Establish a Fund to Rebuild Downtown Potsdam - $750,000: The revolving grant and loan fund will include rent assistance, main street renovation, a quick-start grant program, and COVID-19-related capital improvements.

• Expand the Clarkson Inn - $600,000: Building expansion of the Clarkson Inn to add 20 rooms, meeting space, fitness room, and renovate its furniture and fixtures.

• Revitalize the North Country Arts Center - $578,000: Acquisition and exterior/interior renovation for the new North Country Arts Center, including windows, floors, restrooms, walls, elevator and equipment for a printmaking studio.

• Expand the Sandstone Diner - $118,000: Business expansion of Scoops ice cream into a 1940s/50s-themed seasonal diner serving breakfast and lunch with outdoor seating.

• Enhance the Downtown Streetscape - $2,780,000: Streetscape improvements in the Market Street Historic District, including intersection and safety improvements, street lighting, trees, wayfinding and bioretention.

• Construct a Downtown Riverwalk Trail - $1,815,000: Construction of a looped multi-modal trail along the Raquette River, including a pocket park, shared use path, mural walk and new bike lanes on Maple Street. The trail will connect to existing multi-modal connections downtown.

”I want to thank Governor Cuomo for this investment in the Village of Potsdam. The Village worked with the community to develop a plan that will enhance the downtown. This funding will help make needed improvement to downtown to move the community forward,” said St. Lawrence County Board of Legislators Chair William Sheridan.

"Potsdam had a creative and viable plan that enabled them to successfully obtain funding for their downtown. I urge the community to include and heed input from residents as they implement their various projects,” said state Sen. Joe Griffo.

Potsdam developed a strategic investment plan to revitalize its downtown with $300,000 in planning funds from the $10 million grant, said the press release. Local planning committees made up of municipal representatives, community leaders, and other stakeholders led the effort, supported by a team of private sector experts and state planners.

The strategic investment plans examined local assets and opportunities and identified economic development, transportation, housing, and community projects that align with the community's vision for downtown revitalization and that are poised for implementation.

"As we build back New York's economy better than before, we must embrace a bold vision and in ways that breathe renewed vitality into our communities," Governor Cuomo said. "The critical resources provided by the Downtown Revitalization Initiative are helping communities like Hornell and Potsdam reimagine and reshape their downtown areas toward a brighter, more prosperous future."

To learn more about the state’s Downtown Revitalization Initiative which funnels state taxpayer dollars into a competitive grant competition among municipalities for economic and cultural development visit https://www.ny.gov/programs/downtown-revitalization-initiative.