Grants and Waterfront Development
Grant Update by David Oliver
Completion of Bridge and Boardwalk [Awarded]
C1001174 $911,421 $227,855 Town & $683,565 State
In 2018, the Town of Urbana was awarded a Local Waterfront Revitalization Program (LWRP) grant to construct a bridge and boardwalk over the Keuka Inlet. Completed in Summer 2023, the project links Curtiss Park to Champlin Beach. This project is a part of numerous efforts to expand recreation activities and public access to the Keuka lakefront.
Final payment received by DOS (1-26-24)
Curtiss Park Accessibility Improvements [Awarded]
C1002046 $1,260,992 $315,248 Town & $945,774 State
The Town of Urbana has applied for a grant through the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) to complete hardscaping and add ADA-compliant kayak launches to Curtiss Park. These elements are crucial to welcoming users of abilities to enjoy Hammondsport's recreational activities.
Contract returned and signed by DOS by email on 2-1-24 (contract signed and stamped 12-11-23 by State Comptroller).
The railing contractor has received a $15,000 payment (part of the $50,000 down payment) to start the measuring and design of the railing so that they can take advantage of the current weather. Renderings expected soon and when the engineered drawings are approved fabrication can start. We were told that they would like to install the railing in early April.
ith the completion of the bridge/boardwalk the suggestion has been made to hold a dedication for the project. There are a couple of considerations to address, one is the date of a possible dedication and the other is will there be a “named dedication” of the bridge. It has been discussed that the bridge be named after Tom Chadwick for all the work he had done for the parks and especially the initial development of Curtiss Park. The Friends of Hammondsport Area Trails & Parks have received over $12,000 in donations in Tom’s name. A possible date could be the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend, May 25th, because it doesn’t inter with other ongoing events and it will show the public that something has been accomplished after all the waiting.
*The Town of Urbana has recently applied to several grants that complement ongoing and completed projects that expand connectivity and waterfront access in the downtown area.
New York Forward [Awarded March 1, 2024]
$4,500,000 no match
The Town of Urbana and Village of Hammondsport submitted a joint application for the New York Forward grant at the end of September 2023. If awarded, the town and village will receive $4.5 million to transform the downtown and Keuka waterfront. Decided with extensive community input, potential projects include redesigning Depot Park, a Welcome Center at Champlin Beach, and walkability improvements among others. In the coming weeks, a State committee will interview the members from the town and local businesses owners. Notification of the award is expected to be announced in Winter 2024.
Consolidated Funding Application [Denied]
$1,406,724 $307,486 Town & $$1,055,042 State
At the end of July 2023, the Town of Urbana submitted a Consolidated Funding Application to complete a Rails to Trails project connecting the Glenn H. Curtiss Museum to the Hammondsport Downtown. By repurposing the abandoned Bath-Hammondsport Rail-line, the trail would create an additional ADA-compliant recreation activity in Urbana while reducing vehicular traffic. Notification of the award is expected to be announced December 2023.
ARC Grant Application [Pending]
$160,000 $80,000 Town $ $80,000 Federal
9-15-2023 grant application to Appalachian Regional Commission for Curtiss Park Improvements. It will supplement the current CFA grant funds for Curtiss Park.
Award announcements have not been made at this time. Still no information (3-5-24).
TAP Grant Application for Main Street to American Legion/Curtiss Museum rails to trails project submitted on 1-8-24. Details to follow.
NEW: There will be a CFA grant available this spring that address the installation of piers. With the work that has already been done for the pier, engineering and design, and the cost of removal of the old pier so high, the recommendation would be to consider applying for this grant. Starting on the application now would give plenty of time to do a complete application.