Projects

Transformative Projects
Thank you for submitting your project ideas! A total of 14 private projects and 9 public projects have been included in the Village of Weedsport’s application to the Downtown Revitalization Initiative. If the village is selected, these projects could bring up to $26,145,800 of investment into downtown Weedsport.

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Private Projects

1.) Transform Weedsport Skirt & Waist Co. Building

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total project cost: $6,600,000 DRI request: $2,780,000 Match: $3,820,000 

Major improvements will be made to the 27,808 sf former industrial site at 8936 North Seneca Street. Currently the building is in a general state of disrepair, with the first floor being the only section of the building with modern fixtures and features. The upper floors will be refurbished and converted into new apartments. Improvements will also be made to the first-floor retail space and downstairs basement to attract new tenants to the site. The developer will repair the sprinkler system, modernize the elevator shaft, and conduct extensive retrofits for habitation. This property occupies a significant footprint in downtown Weedsport, and these improvements will have a major impact on any efforts to revitalize Weedsport’s main commercial corridor.

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2.) Restore Historic Potters Pub Building

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total project cost: $2,200,000 DRI request: $1,100,000 Match: $1,100,000

Significant improvements will be made to the Potters Pub building. Multiple exterior elements will be completely rehabilitated including the historic storefront, the roof, and the northern façade which faces Weedsport’s main intersection and Whittler’s Green Park. 1600 sf of commercial space will be improved and 4 new apartments built in the upper stories, helping bring new life into one of the largest historic developments in downtown Weedsport. During the heyday of the Erie Canal, the Potters Pub building was once an opera house, a press room, a dance hall, and a pub. A DRI award would help restore one of the most visible landmarks in Downtown Weedsport, drawing people in and helping the village grow and thrive.

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3.) Village Ace Hardware Building Expansion & Renovation

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total project cost: $1,000,000 DRI request: $500,000 Match: $500,000

Multiple sections of the Village Ace Hardware building will be renovated and expanded to better serve community needs. The improved building will have 7,000-10,000 square feet of new commercial space that will allow Village Ace Hardware to significantly increase its operations in the Village of Weedsport. A new power equipment repair facility, training space, staff room, and additional space for selling hardware will be constructed. The current building is too small to properly serve customers who rely on Village Ace Hardware. A restored and renewed hardware store in Downtown Weedsport would help support locals who are working to revitalize homes and buildings across the region.

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4.) Build New Mixed Use Development

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total project cost: $3,000,000 DRI request: $1,200,000 Match: $1,800,000

The property owners will construct a new mixed use building near the southern end of the lot at 2685 Erie Drive which is currently a vacant greenfield site. This new development will feature first floor retail space and multiple upper floor apartment units. The new building will match downtown Weedsport’s historic character and reflect the developments that once stood in the area when Erie Drive was an important part of the Erie Canal’s path through Central New York.

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5.) Transform the Old Erie Restaurant

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total project cost: $600,000 DRI request: $360,000 Match: $240,000

The vacant Old Erie building will be renovated and transformed into a mixed use development with a ground floor commercial space and 3 new upper story apartments. Improvements will be made to both the building and grounds, reconnecting the building to the surrounding community. This project will transform a blighted building in the middle of downtown into a vibrant symbol of Weedsport’s revitalization.

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6.) Improve Colonial Laundromat Building

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total project cost: $330,000 DRI request: $165,000 Match: $165,000

Several improvements are planned for the commercial site at 2685 Erie Drive including internal and external renovations, sidewalk repairs, parking lot improvements, new lighting, additional landscaping, and updated internal fixtures. The property owner plans to completely renovate the front facing storefront, making the space viable for modern businesses and improving the curb appeal of the site. They also intend to purchase new equipment to modernize Weedsport’s only laundromat and improve their economic capacity and environmental efficiency. The building will be repainted to better fit within the surrounding streetscape and accessible sidewalks will be built so that pedestrians can better access the site’s commercial offerings.

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7.) Revitalize Commercial Office Building

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total project cost: $125,000 DRI request: $75,000 Match: $50,000

Improvements will be made to the office building at 2645 Erie Drive to strengthen its capacity to serve tenants and customers. Key upgrades include replacing the aging roof, modernizing the HVAC system to meet current energy standards, and repaving the parking lot to improve accessibility at the site. These improvements will make the site more energy efficient and preserve the structure so that the building remains a valuable asset for generations to come. The project is spearheaded by a dedicated 4th generation Weedsport resident who has deep roots in the community and has successfully operated in local construction for 43 years.

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8.) Create Apartments in Upper Stories of The Sub Shop

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total project cost: $2,200,000 DRI request: $1,100,000 Match: $1,100,000

Developers will completely renovate all floors of The Sub Shop building, improving a prominent local storefront and creating 7 new apartments. The Sub Shop is a popular lunch option for many residents, but the upper floors of the building remain vacant and unused. Seven new housing units moving into the building would fundamentally transform that block, strengthening downtown businesses and increasing the number of residents living and shopping in the downtown core. Major façade improvements and multiple new windows will be built along the western wall of the building. The project also includes beautification of the parking area with replacement of the existing gravel lot with more visually appealing amenities.

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9.) Enhance & Upgrade Lunkenheimer Brewing Facilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total project cost: $330,000 DRI request: $85,000 Match: $245,000

Lunkenheimer Craft Brewing Company will improve their production facilities and their event space in downtown Weedsport. A new brewhouse and fermentation vessel will be constructed, tripling their production capacity. The brewery will also develop the necessary infrastructure to can beverages on site. Currently all canning is outsourced to mobile vendors, and this added capacity would allow the brewery to centralize their production into Weedsport’s main commercial corridor. Outside of the production facilities, a dedicated stage for live events with a high-quality sound system will be built, transforming the local brewery into a vibrant venue for music and community events, right on Seneca Street.

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10.) Restore Building Exterior

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total project cost: $335,000 DRI request: $155,000 Match: $180,000

Developers will remediate and improve the historic commercial building at 2684 East Brutus Street. The project includes repairs to the existing brick and stonework, the upper floor façades, and other features around the upper story apartments. This building stands as one of the most visible structures in Weedsport, and these improvements will help show that Weedsport is open for business.

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11.) Restore Canal Double-Ender Façade

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total project cost: $150,000 DRI request: $75,000 Match: $75,000

The developer will improve and remediate the two main façades at 8913 North Seneca Street. The windows along the NYS Route 34 façade will be replaced with period appropriate alternatives to improve the character of one of the most prominent buildings in the historic commercial district. Repairs will also be made to the rear wall of the building which faces NYS Route 31, reducing visible decay along one of Cayuga County’s highest traffic corridors. These improvements will not only improve aesthetics on the village’s most prominent corner, but it will extend the lifespan of the building for future generations.

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12.) Improve the Lin Bo Building

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total project cost: $205,000 DRI request: $100,000 Match: $105,000

Local entrepreneurs will be restoring the Lin Bo building at 8932 North Seneca Street. A number of façade improvements will be completed including repointing brickwork and rehabilitating the original wooden trim. These essential renovations will preserve the historic integrity of the structure, helping one of the oldest buildings in the village survive and thrive. Additional improvements will be constructed to make the space handicap accessible so more residents can access the site, and to install a new modernized HVAC system.

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13.) Restore Historic Mixed-Use Building Façade

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total project cost: $325,000 DRI request: $155,000 Match: $170,000

The developer will replace and improve 2692 East Brutus Street’s façade. The eastern façade of the building is covered in metal siding to protect deteriorated sections of the brick wall. The existing siding will be removed and the historic brick surface will be repointed and restored. This will make the site fit in with the aesthetic fabric present within the rest of downtown Weedsport and promote community cohesion. These investments will also prolong the life of the building, ensuring it will be a part of Weedsport’s downtown for years to come.

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14.) Duplex Conversion

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total project cost: $150,000 DRI request: $75,000 Match: $75,000

The property owner will preserve and restore a historic home near the village center that has fallen into a state of disrepair. The project will include completely renovating the structure and converting it into a duplex. Several internal features will be modernized, fixtures will be added, and an energy efficient furnace will be installed. In addition to the necessary interior renovations, the building’s exterior will be restored to a period appropriate state with new paint and repaired trim. This project exemplifies how Weedsport’s newly adopted Zoning Law can enable similar duplex conversions, helping to increase the supply of much-needed housing in the downtown area.

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Public Projects

15.) Beautify Whittler’s Green

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total project cost: $255,000 DRI request: $195,000 Match: $60,000

The Village of Weedsport will revitalize Whittler’s Green, a pocket park located in the heart of the community. Whittler’s Green is the most visible park in the village and upgrades will significantly improve downtown Weedsport’s visual character. The project will improve the green space by planting new trees and foliage, constructing an accessible paver walkway, and adding landscaping features that frame the space. These new amenities will support residents of all ages and abilities at Weedsport’s main intersection.

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16.) Transform Trolley Park

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total project cost: $1,600,000 DRI request: $1,200,000 Match: $400,000

Several improvements will be made to Trolley Park, a historic park next to the village offices. Sections of the playground will be replaced and upgraded, and a new safer rubberized play surface will be installed. The local basketball courts will also be resurfaced, and the parking lot will be improved with new landscaping features to reduce stormwater run-off. A new dog park will also be constructed so that the park can better support petowning residents. Park improvements will significantly strengthen connectivity around Downtown Weedsport and support public health for residents living in the surrounding neighborhoods.

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17.) Construct Village Community Center

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total project cost: $2,250,000 DRI request: $1,685,000 Match: $565,000

Unused space between the Weedsport Fire Department building and Trolley Park will be developed into a new community center with a commercial kitchen and restrooms. This new 2,600 sf space will serve as a center for both public and private events. Its strategic location between the ball fields and the Village offices will allow for multiple uses by local residents and organizations. This asset will have notable positive effects on the surrounding community, providing a central space for civic and cultural engagement.

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18.) Connect Centreport Aqueduct to the School Multi-Purpose Trail

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total project cost: $720,000 DRI request: $302,000 Match: $418,000

The Town of Brutus will develop a new Trolley Connection Trail to connect the Erie Canal Trail to the Southwest Trail in the Village of Weedsport. The Southwest trail runs along the historic rail bed of the West Shore Railroad, and the new route would allow pedestrians traveling along the Empire State Trail & Erie Canal Trail the option to avoid crossing or traveling on a high traffic road with a large amount of heavy vehicle traffic (NYS Route 31). The new trail will provide locals and visitors with a cross-village pedestrian path connecting Trolley Park, Centreport Aqueduct Park, and the Weedsport public school complex. The Trolley Connection Trail will significantly improve pedestrian accessibility across the village.

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19.) Construct Town Community Center

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total project cost: $2,220,800 DRI request: $1,700,000 Match: $520,800

The Town of Brutus will build a new community center on Erie Drive (NYS Route 31), one of Weedsport’s main high traffic corridors. The new building will be a part of the planned Brutus municipal complex and serve residents of both the Village of Weedsport and the Town of Brutus. The site will use the nearby Centreport Aqueduct Park to host local events and support the community. The community center will also have a built-in kitchenette, so organizations can better use the space to serve local residents. Additional features will be added in and around the area once the Brutus municipal complex is completed.

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20.) New Parklet and Downtown Lot Landscaping

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total project cost: $600,000 DRI request: $150,000 Match: $450,000

The Village of Weedsport’s main downtown parking lot is in poor condition and takes away from residents and visitor’s experiences when visiting downtown. Green space will be added to the lot, reducing impervious surfaces and creating opportunities for stormwater management. A new park will also be constructed on site to improve pedestrians experience along the downtown corridor. Additional trees and lighting will be added to improve visual appeal and nighttime safety, turning the dilapidated parking lot into a major new asset in the heart of downtown Weedsport.

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21.) Historic and Community Signage

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total project cost: $100,000 DRI request: $75,000 Match: $25,000

The Village will develop new branding and signage to encourage visitors and tourists to stop and see everything Weedsport has to offer. A new, modern welcome sign will be built on the northern end of the village to let people know they are traveling through Weedsport. A series of historical signs and kiosks will be built along the Empire State Trail and near other historically significant places throughout the village showcasing Weedsport’s history as a canal town, a rail hub, and as a local destination in the Central New York Region. Additional wayfinding signage will be built to direct people to places like the village hall, town hall, dog park, schools, baseball fields, and local parks.

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22.) Downtown Streetscape & Beautification

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total project cost: $250,000 DRI request: $185,000 Match: $65,000

Streetscape improvements will be developed to enhance the ambiance and safety of the village’s main street (NYS Route 34). Improvements include the installation of public benches, trash cans, and other fixed furniture. Additionally, the project includes the placement of traffic posts, traffic paint, pedestrian signals, crosswalk markings and planters to establish safer crossings at key intersections, thereby promoting pedestrian safety and revitalizing the street without disrupting existing traffic design. Such installation will occur in coordination with NYS DOT and in accordance with the Village’s adopted Streetscape Standards and Designs which have been reviewed by NYS DOT.

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23.) Small Project Fund

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total project cost: $600,000 DRI request: $600,000

The Village of Weedsport will establish a small project fund to help property owners and developers in the downtown core complete improvements that are too small to exist as independent funding requests through the Downtown Revitalization Initiative program. Local stakeholders have already proposed a number of projects including

• ADA Improvements

• Façade repairs

• Asbestos abatement

• Energy efficiency improvements

• New HVAC systems

• Streetscape improvements

• Residential unit rehabilitation

• Commercial unit revitalization

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