BALDWINSVILLE — Communities that missed out on Onondaga County’s first round of Village Main Street Program grants last year will have another chance to apply for funding to spruce up their storefronts and streetscapes. County Executive Ryan McMahon announced June 30 that the Main Street grant program will provide grants of up to $500,000 to villages, towns and hamlets. A total of $5 million is available.
“The idea here is to get our local elected officials working with the business community and planners … to really reimagine what their downtown business corridors could look like. Or if we’re developing a town center, what would that look like?” McMahon said during a press conference at B’ville Sports Bowl.
The Sports Bowl was one of several businesses in Baldwinsville to receive a facelift last year thanks to the first round of Main Street funding. McMahon said over $50,000 was invested in the Sports Bowl. Multiple facades in the village of Liverpool received an overhaul to the tune of $930,000, McMahon added.
“We think we could see that same type of investment here,” he said.
Part of the funding for the Main Street program comes from the $89 million Onondaga County is receiving from the federal American Rescue Plan.
Baldwinsville Mayor Dick Clarke said there are some village business owners who did not have a chance to apply last year who are interested in applying for the next round. He said renovations are complete at four of the seven B’ville businesses who were selected in the first round. While one of the grant recipients, The Deli at 12 W. Genesee St., has changed ownership twice since last year’s Main Street awards were announced, Clarke said the new owners of the eatery are looking to continue with the planned improvements.
“When people drive through the village, places just look better,” Clarke said, nodding at the Sports Bowl behind him. “It’s got this nice, classy look. It fits in nicely with the rest of the village color scheme.”
Clarke said he hopes other businesses and communities will feel inspired to apply once they see the results in Baldwinsville.
County Legislator Brian May added that the improvements are great for jobs and quality of life in the area.
“It really kind of connected the village center from Noble’s to Atlantic Seafood,” he said.
The deadline to apply for the Village Main Street Program is Aug. 13. For more information, contact the Onondaga County Community Development Division at ongov.net/cd/.
