The demolition of the former 21-27 W. Main St., Falconer, building in November 2019 following the March 2017 blaze that destroyed the structure. P-J file photo by Dennis Phillips

FALCONER — The Ellicott Town Board approved a resolution that will allow for two more additional units to be built at the Falconer Square project.

On Monday, the board approved a new Payment In Lieu of Taxes agreement because of the change in the number of housing units, which increased from 53 to 55. Pat McLaughlin, Ellicott supervisor, said the only reason the town had to approve the resolution was because it’s the taxing entity for the town, which includes the village of Falconer where the project will be located.

The Falconer Square project will be located at 13-37 W. Main St., Falconer, the former location of mixed-use structures that were destroyed by fires in 2017 and 2018. According to the site plan approved by the village of Falconer in February of last year, the construction for Falconer Square will include 15,904 square feet of mixed-use building and 4,847 square feet of townhomes.

McLaughlin said town officials are anxious to see the ground breaking.

“The town and the village is really anxious to get that going,” he said. “It will be a real boost for the village of Falconer. The plan seems really good for the village.”

James Jaroszynski, Falconer mayor, said the Falconer Square developers, Home Leasing, is in the process of applying for state funding for the project, with the application due this month and the anticipated announcement of possible funding this spring. Jaroszynski said last year the village board approved a letter to the state supporting the project.

“The village supports the project full-heartedly,” he said.

Jaroszynski said he has been told by Home Leasing officials that they plan on a ground breaking ceremony in the fall, which will be dependent on whether the housing developers receive state grant. He said the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the first time Home Leasing applied for funding for the project. The developers were planning to apply for state funding through the Regional Economic Development Council Consolidated Funding Application process, which was canceled this year because of the state’s economic challenges due to the pandemic.

“(Home Leasing) has stuck with the project and the village is hopeful they will be awarded the money for the project,” he said.

Thursday was the three-year anniversary since a blaze destroyed the multi-story former Falconer Vacuum Shop property.