Village of Fultonville Secures Preservation Grant

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Buildings like the Wemple Block in Fultonville would be eligible for incentives for rehabilitation if a Cultural Resources Survey leads to Historic District designation.

ALBANY, NY (12/18/2014)(readMedia)-- The Preservation League of New York State recently made a grant of $6,000 to support the cost of completing a reconnaissance-level survey of historic resources of the Village of Fultonville in Montgomery County.

Fultonville was founded in 1824 and incorporated in 1848. Although the village had a tavern near the Mohawk River and some farms, little else was built in Fultonville until the construction of the Erie Canal began in 1817. The Erie Canal ran through the village center and commercial buildings flank Main Street on either side of what would be the historic canal bed. Unfortunately, the canal bed was torn up for construction of the New York State Thruway, Interstate 90, which now also bisects the village.

All of the buildings within the survey area fall within a New York State Rehabilitation Tax Credit-eligible census tract. Historic District designation would open doors for financial incentives for rehabilitation of commercial and residential properties. Preservation consultant Jessie Ravage will complete the survey.

"I am very excited and thankful to have the support of the Preservation League of New York State in conducting a Cultural Resource Survey of the Village of Fultonville," said Ryan Weitz, Village Historian. "The village has a rich and dynamic history that offers a view on the development of upstate communities following the Erie Canal and well into the twentieth century. In the past, Fultonville has lost many wonderful landmarks iu the name of improvement. I hope this is the first step in the process of coming to a true understanding and appreciation of the place I and so many others call home."

The Preserve New York Grant Program is made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature. "With the announcement of the 2014 awards, the total support provided by Preserve New York since its launch in 1993 is over $1.9 million to 307 projects statewide," said Jay DiLorenzo, president of the Preservation League. "Preserve New York has a strong track record of bolstering local preservation efforts and delivering a strong return on investment."

"At its August, 2014 meeting, the Preserve New York grant program panel selected 15 applicants in 12 counties around the state to share $100,000 in funding," said Erin Tobin, the League's Regional Director of Technical and Grant Programs in eastern New York. "As always, the competition for these funds was intense. The Preservation League is delighted to help advance the preservation efforts of the Village of Fultonville with timely funding from Preserve New York."

Organizations and municipalities receiving grant awards in 2014 are: Albany County: Westerlo Public Library; Chautauqua County: Chautauqua County Historical Society; Columbia County: Town of Livingston; Erie County (2): Elmwood Village Association; Village of Springville; Essex County (2): Fort Ticonderoga Association, Inc.; Town of Westport; Genesee County: LeRoy Business Council; Greene County: Town of Lexington; Montgomery County (2): Village of Fultonville; Village of St. Johnsville; Orleans County: Village of Holley; St. Lawrence County: Town of Russell; Steuben County: Town of Campbell; Sullivan County: Town of Delaware, Hamlet of Callicoon.

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