City officials are applying for up to $500,000 in state funding to improve buildings along East Second Street. P-J photo by Dennis Phillips

City of Jamestown officials are eyeing a state grant to improve buildings along East Second Street.

Crystal Surdyk, city development director, said city officials will be applying for a New York State Main Street grant for up to $500,000 in funding that would go toward upgrading the East Second Street corridor between Main and Institute streets and First and Second streets. She said grant funding is usually awarded during the state Regional Economic Development Council Consolidated Funding Application process, which didn’t occur this year because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Because the funding wasn’t awarded earlier this year, state officials are carrying out a special round. She added that the grant is due by Jan. 15.

“We’re working with building owners to identify rehab projects and projects that will contribute to that corridor,” she said. “There is an opportunity to invest in buildings throughout that corridor.”

Surdyk said the city’s urban design plan details that this part of the city is included in the arts and culture district.

“With the Reg Lenna (Center for the Arts) close by on Third Street, and the (Lucille Ball) Little Theatre and Infinity (Visual and Performing Arts) on Second Street, we are looking at what other things are going on there,” she said. “What other businesses are there. What other opportunities there are. We want to use the grant as a kicking off point, if we receive it, to reinvest in those properties throughout the area.”

City officials are looking to renovate buildings along East Second Street, including 228 E. Second St., via the New York State Main Street grant program. P-J photo by Dennis Phillips

Surdyk said it’s a matching grant, so building owners will have to make an initial investment. However, she said the money invested by building owners will eventually be reimbursed.

“We are looking at building stabilization and ways to not only stabilize, but also enhance,” she said. “We’re looking at facade work and helping property owners find tenants for first floor business space.”

Surdyk said the Jamestown Renaissance Corp. and Frank Besse, JRC urban core director, is assisting the city in reaching out to building owners along East Second Street to inform them about the grant and the opportunity available.

“If (the building owner) is willing to reinvest, the grant will help give them the support they need,” she said. “There is a lot of potential there. The grant will help us get started on the revitalization.”

Surdyk said building owners in the East Second Street target area can contact the city at 483-7659 for more information about the grant.

220-226 EAST SECOND STREET BEING RENOVATED

One building in the target area is condemned, but the owner is in the process of renovations. Surdyk said the owner of the building, located at 220-226 E. Second St., is Chris Good of 3644 Holdings LLC.

“This is an interesting case because the owner is working on the building. He purchased it back in August of 2019 and it was condemned just days after the purchase. The deed probably hadn’t even been filed yet. He inherited the problems with the condemnation,” she said. “The property owner is feverishly working on bringing them back up to code. We’re looking to support him in finding tenants for the first floor store fronts. A few ideas we have had we’ve talked to him about.”

Good said renovations to the upstairs apartments were going “swimmingly” until the COVID-19 pandemic. He said construction was shut down in March, but he is hoping to restart the rehabilitation project next year.

“We are now set to focus on totally renovating the inside. (The renovation process) is never going to go fast enough,” he said. “The cost of materials went through the roof (following the pandemic). At least doubled in cost. We would like to get the renovations going again in the spring.”

Good said there were 11 apartments on the second floor of the building, but — following the renovations — the apartments might be larger therefore fewer units once the rehab is completed. He said once the renovations restart, it could take six to nine months to finish, depending on the availability of materials.

“We’re hoping to be done by the end of 2021,” he said.

Good said he is working with Besse from the JRC to find business tenants for the street level space.

“We want the street to look vibrant again,” he said. “We want to be partners with the city in moving the area forward. The more quality owners and landlords there are the better the area will become. We are optimistic about Jamestown. It’s going in the right direction.”