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State sponsors more downtown facelifts

Facade grants awarded in Tupper Lake, Saranac Lake

Tupper Arts and the State Theater, seen at left, are two of the Tupper Lake properties that received New York Main Street grants for facade improvements. (Enterprise photo — Aaron Cerbone)

The Franklin County Local Development Corp. has awarded state funding to improve 12 Saranac Lake and Tupper Lake properties under the Franklin County Main Street Program.

The LDC was awarded a New York Main Street grant in 2018, with the support of the community development directors from the two villages. Owners of property in portions of Main Street and Broadway in Saranac Lake and Park Street in Tupper Lake were eligible to apply, and 21 initially submitted applications.

Through a committee review process they were scored based on visual, commercial and residential impact, readiness and impact to local and regional plans.

Renovations to each property must be completed before October 2020.

Here are the properties that were awarded funds, along with their landmark business occupants and owners:

Tupper Lake

¯ 60 Park St. (vacant commercial property, 60 Park LLC of Hyde Park): facade improvements of commercial property.

¯ 70 Park St. (vacant commercial property, Mosca Properties LLC of Glenmont): facade improvements of mixed-use property.

¯ 93 to 95 Park St. (vacant commercial property, Otterco LLC of Hamilton, Montana): renovation and creation of two commercial units in mixed-use property.

¯ 100 Park St. (Adirondack State Theater, Adirondack State Theater LLC of Tupper Lake): facade improvements of commercial property.

¯ 106 Park St. (Tupper Arts Center, Kalm LLC of Tupper Lake): facade improvements of commercial property.

¯ 115 Park St. (Spruce and Hemlock and Stacked Graphics, Chum House LLC of Tupper Lake): facade improvements, structural repair and renovation of one apartment unit of mixed-use property.

¯ 123 Park St. (The Row, Union Block Building LLC of Tupper Lake): facade restoration of mixed-use property.

¯ 127 Park St. (Lake FM, Union Block Building LLC of Tupper Lake): facade restoration of mixed-use property.

Saranac Lake

¯ 45 to 47 Main St. (all of the building that houses Saranac Lake Wine and Liquor, the Madden family of Saranac Lake): facade improvements of commercial property.

¯ 70 Main St. (all of the former Sears building, Paolo Magro of Saranac Lake): facade improvements of commercial property.

¯ 86 Main St. (Surgical Eye Care, Dr. Duncan Winter of Saranac Lake): facade restoration and renovation of two apartment units of mixed-use property.

¯ 115 Main St. (commercial and residential building, Mike Ryan of Saranac Lake): facade restoration and structural repair of mixed-use property.

Owners are excited

Business owners were excited about the funding.

Louise McNally, director of Tupper Arts at 106 Park St., said facade improvements there will bring new life to the building.

“Tupper Arts is nearly one year old, and many exciting, beautiful things are happening inside,” she said in the release. “A new facade with big windows and a welcoming front door will give us an appropriate look for a Main Street business.

“Both the community and visitors will be able to see the artistic delights inside our doors: artworks, performances, workshops, classes and gift shop.”

Dr. Duncan Winter, owner of Surgical Eye Care at 86 Main St., Saranac Lake, said they are thrilled to be a part of the urban-renewal projects taking place in Saranac Lake.

“It’s an exciting time for our community, and I hope this input and energy will bring additional opportunities and pour unity into our town,” he said in a news release from the LDC.

So are local politicians

Local elected officials also welcomed the pending upgrades.

Paul Maroun, a Republican who is both the Tupper Lake village mayor and a Franklin County legislator, said, “The timing was perfect for the arrival of NY Main Street Program funds to support our Park Street property owners in their revitalization efforts. We can’t wait to see the transformations.”

Franklin County Legislator Lindy Ellis, a Democrat from Saranac Lake, noted that downtown revitalization is an economic development priority for the county.

Saranac Lake village Mayor Clyde Rabideau, a Democrat, said, “As downtown Saranac Lake continues its resurgence, I am thrilled to know that these key properties will see investment in the coming months.”

Awarded through the state Office of Homes and Community Renewal, New York Main Street grants provide funding for local revitalization efforts and technical assistance to help communities enliven their downtown or neighborhood commercial district.

The Franklin County Main Street awards come on the heels of the LDC’s Microenterprise awards, the first round of which also focused on the villages of Tupper and Saranac Lake.

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