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FALCONER – The projects up for inclusion in the final Falconer NY Forward grant plan continues to shift as the process continues.
Since the three previous LPC meetings, Joshua Greene, a project planner with LaBella Associates, said during a recent meeting that several funding requests have been added or withdrawn, shifting the competitive landscape. Private projects decreased from 13 proposals to 10; six public project applications were submitted; and one non-profit application was received. In the small project category, there were originally three letters of interest, with the number of small projects swelling to 11 letters of interest received.
"We have some great classic "bread and butter" type NY Forward projects that will help to introduce new housing options and opportunities for new businesses to come to Falconer, such as Redevelop Historic East Main Street Commercial Block into Falconer Commons, Construct the Falconer Square Mixed-Use Development, and Rehabilitate Historic West Main Mercantile & Establish Upper-Story Apartments," said Greene.
Greene said project proposals from Hanson Sign, Falconer Printing, Fancher Chair, Armor Management show the strength of manufacturing in the village while projects proposed by the village, such as new streetscapes along Main, Work and Phetteplace, a project to improve access to the Falconer Community Building and a project involving village parks are also good projects worth consideration.
"What's unique about Falconer and this area is the strength in manufacturing businesses and quality job opportunities. This is evident in several manufacturing businesses that have submitted projects to help them expand their services and add new employees," Greene said. "And then from the public side, we have several great projects put forward by the village that would help to raise the quality of life for all residents in Falconer and help support business growth.
Greene noted that the Local Planning Committee initially received project requests amounting to $14.7 million and is now reviewing funding requests totaling more than $15.9 million. Originally, the group aimed to review projects totaling $6 million to $8 million and then recommend approval of $4.5 million in funding to the NY Forward Grant leadership team for final approval and payouts.
Among the changes are:
-Enhance Streetscapes Along Main, Work & Phetteplace Street. The project has removed the 'construct a roundabout at the intersection of Main and Work streets for improved flow of traffic' part of the funding proposal. The change has not decreased the requested grant request of $2.5 million.
– Redevelop Historic East Main Street Commercial Block into Falconer Commons called. Originally the request was $1,125,000. It is now $1,103,000;
– Unlock Upper-Floor Commercial Space and Expand Accessibility at 1 E. Main St. The initial, original funding request: $288,000, or 70% of the project. The new request is for $460,000, or 75% of the project’s total cost.
– Expand Operations and Services at Falconer Printing. Originally, the project requested $400,000, or 37% of the project. That amount has decreased to $300,000, or 28% of the total project funding.
– Modernize Fancher Chair Manufacturing and Prepare for Future Expansion. The project initially requested $431,000. The updated request is for $525,000, or 75% of a total project budget of $700,000.
– Construct New Wooden Chair Manufacturing and Storage Space at 47 Everett St. The initial funding request was for $101,000 against a project budget of $269,000. The new request is $188,000, or about 70% of the total project funding.
– Of the 11 letters of interest from the small project category, the original request for the initial three projects was for a total of $207,000 out of a proposed $277,000 for the three projects. The additional eight projects have now increased the funding request to $1,166,000 out of a project budget of $1,725,000, with 68% of the total cost coming from NY Forward funding sources.
Greene said the next Local Project Committee meeting will include additional community engagement as work continues to craft a final list of grantees.
"What I'm most excited about is that on Nov. 18 we will be hosting two community engagement activities. One will be at Falconer High School, where I will present to some high school classes, have them role-play as the LPC, and have them make funding recommendations. Later that day, I will be hosting a public workshop at the Fire Hall from 5-7 p.m. where the community will have the chance to review all the projects in detail and then provide their feedback on which projects they would like to see be funded," he said. "The feedback for both events will be provided to the LPC as they make their final recommendations."
For more information about the Falconer NY Forward grant, visit falconerny.gov.