Montour Falls Workshop: Upper Floors Re-Use Key to Revitalizing Main Streets

Related Media

Jerlando's Ristorante in the new Watkins Glen Commercial Historic District is located in the former Freer Opera House.

In 2004, the Preservation League of New York State launched an ambitious pilot project of workshops and technical assistance in western New York to address an important aspect of Main Street revitalization: the reuse of vacant upper stories in downtown commercial buildings. This pilot project was made possible through the generous support of The Margaret L. Wendt Foundation

Now, the League is bringing its workshop to Montour Falls on Tuesday, June 12, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., at the Human Services Complex, 323 Owego Street, Room 120, Montour Falls, across from the New York State Fire Academy. Registration starts at 9:00 a.m.

"We developed and offered a model workshop, Enhancing Main Street: Making Upper Floors Work Again, in six Western New York counties to demonstrate how upper floors can offer attractive housing options," said Jay DiLorenzo, President of the Preservation League. "Now, with the support of the Empire State Development Corporation, we are continuing to present this program around the state. By bringing together experts in the fields of historic preservation, project development, financing, and New York State building codes in one place at one time, we hope to address many questions facing building owners who are thinking about upper floor conversion possibilities."

The Preservation League has found that the interest in downtown revitalization is very strong and growing in New York State. Through the Upper Floors program and by monitoring upper floors projects already underway, the Preservation League is building a case for reinvestment in the state's historic commercial centers.

"The League has advocated strongly for tools like the Rehabilitation Tax Credit to help direct new investments to our older industrial cities to make them safer, healthier and more prosperous – places people want to live as well as work." said DiLorenzo. "Each community faces unique challenges, but with programs like the Tax Credit and the generous sharing of best practices by experts at our Upper Floors workshops, the lights are coming back on above many Main Street retailers and offices across the New York."

According to J. Kelsey Jones, SCOPED's executive director, "We have long recognized that downtown revitalization and historic preservation are key parts of our economic development strategy. In recent years we have assisted with the successful redevelopment of over a dozen historic properties in Montour Falls and Watkins Glen. We hope that bringing this workshop to Schuyler County will spur further interest in adaptive re-use of our historic structures."

"The Preservation League is proud to partner with the Empire State Development Corporation, the Schuyler County Partnership for Economic Development – SCOPED - and many others in encouraging downtown revitalization," said Tania Werbizky, the League's Regional Director of Technical and Grant Programs in western New York. "As we've seen around the state, creating downtown housing in formerly vacant upper floors leads to an increase in foot traffic and purchasing on Main Streets before and after work hours. Investment in a community's historic districts and structures will happen when vision and practicality meet."

SCOPED and Community Progress, Inc. will also announce the first projects approved under a $500,000 Main Street Grant awarded in 2011 by the New York State Office of Community Renewal. Funds will assist in commercial and residential renovations for buildings in the Watkins Glen Historic District, established with the support of the Village of Watkins Glen and a Preserve New York grant from the Preservation League.

The workshop is free and open to the public and includes materials and refreshments. Seating is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. To RSVP, contact Brian Williams at SCOPED at 607-535-4341 or brian@scoped.biz .

For more information on the Preservation League of New York State, please call 518-462-5658 or visit the League's website at www.preservenys.org.

###

The Preservation League of New York State is dedicated to the protection of New York's diverse and rich heritage of historic buildings, districts, and landscapes. It actively encourages historic preservation by public and private organizations, agencies, and individuals in local communities throughout New York State and provides the united voice for historic preservation.