Auburn staff members went scrambling to rewrite a grant proposal after the Auburn City Council decided last week to add another project at the last minute.
Staff members will present the revised grant application Thursday for council approval.
Glenn Fletcher spoke during last week's public hearing expressing disappointment his project to refurbish an abandoned church into an event center was not included in the Restore New York Grant application.
He asked why the city only applied for $1.5 million when it was eligible for $2.5 million.
Both city manager Mark Palesh and Jennifer Haines, director of planning and economic development, recommended the city only apply for two related undertakings, the demolition of city-owned Kalet's Department Store and the renovation of the Schine Theater.
The city is bound by square footage for how much it could ask for, which equaled the figure they requested, Haines said.
Auburn businessman Matteo Bartolotta received last year's grant, which may lessen the city's chances of getting a grant this year.
The planning staff tailored the application to the issues the state stressed - vacant buildings and downtown. Council went against staff recommendations and pulled the application from the agenda Thursday to add Fletcher's project.
Fletcher reminded council last week the grant program was one of the few avenues for-profit businesses can turn to for grants.
Councilor William Graney thought Fletcher and his project had merit and wanted to see it added to the application, despite Palesh warning councilors changing the project's intent may reduce the city's chances of receiving the grant.
The application has to include one project, but may include several parts. To include Fletcher's venture on North Division Street, the application has to draw a connection to the Schine Theater, Kalet's store and his church. Fletcher suggested the writer could link his project to those buildings by pointing to the fact that they would host events.
Fletcher, who is black, pointed to the city backing his project as a way for Auburn leaders to show support for the minority community.
The application requests planners point out any minorities involved with the project and Mayor Timothy Lattimore said adding diversity to the request may increase the city's chances of getting the funding.
Four people applied for consideration, not counting the two projects that staff approved.
Councilor David Dempsey said he would like to see everybody's program succeed in order to promote economic growth.
For councilor Thomas McNabb, it wasn't Fletcher's project that caused him to take issue with the proposal but the Kalet's building.
He was “dumbfounded” to see the city is applying for money to demolish a building it earlier spent more than $300,000 to stabilize. However, he said he may change his mind because he learned there is a project underfoot for the State Street space and the developers would prefer the building razed.
McNabb could not provide details.
In other news:
- Jean and Tom Lewis will speak to council about starting the United Way fundraiser trail.
- Dave Laney from the state Power Authority will speak about the energy conservation project update.
Staff writer Jessica Soule can be reached at 253-5311, ext. 267 or jessica.soule@lee.net
Glenn Fletcher spoke during last week's public hearing expressing disappointment his project to refurbish an abandoned church into an event center was not included in the Restore New York Grant application.
He asked why the city only applied for $1.5 million when it was eligible for $2.5 million.
Both city manager Mark Palesh and Jennifer Haines, director of planning and economic development, recommended the city only apply for two related undertakings, the demolition of city-owned Kalet's Department Store and the renovation of the Schine Theater.
The city is bound by square footage for how much it could ask for, which equaled the figure they requested, Haines said.
Auburn businessman Matteo Bartolotta received last year's grant, which may lessen the city's chances of getting a grant this year.
The planning staff tailored the application to the issues the state stressed - vacant buildings and downtown. Council went against staff recommendations and pulled the application from the agenda Thursday to add Fletcher's project.
Fletcher reminded council last week the grant program was one of the few avenues for-profit businesses can turn to for grants.
Councilor William Graney thought Fletcher and his project had merit and wanted to see it added to the application, despite Palesh warning councilors changing the project's intent may reduce the city's chances of receiving the grant.
The application has to include one project, but may include several parts. To include Fletcher's venture on North Division Street, the application has to draw a connection to the Schine Theater, Kalet's store and his church. Fletcher suggested the writer could link his project to those buildings by pointing to the fact that they would host events.
Fletcher, who is black, pointed to the city backing his project as a way for Auburn leaders to show support for the minority community.
The application requests planners point out any minorities involved with the project and Mayor Timothy Lattimore said adding diversity to the request may increase the city's chances of getting the funding.
Four people applied for consideration, not counting the two projects that staff approved.
Councilor David Dempsey said he would like to see everybody's program succeed in order to promote economic growth.
For councilor Thomas McNabb, it wasn't Fletcher's project that caused him to take issue with the proposal but the Kalet's building.
He was “dumbfounded” to see the city is applying for money to demolish a building it earlier spent more than $300,000 to stabilize. However, he said he may change his mind because he learned there is a project underfoot for the State Street space and the developers would prefer the building razed.
McNabb could not provide details.
In other news:
- Jean and Tom Lewis will speak to council about starting the United Way fundraiser trail.
- Dave Laney from the state Power Authority will speak about the energy conservation project update.
Staff writer Jessica Soule can be reached at 253-5311, ext. 267 or jessica.soule@lee.net
The Citizens' Say
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mickeymch wrote on Sep 19, 2007 8:15 AM:
033174 wrote on Sep 18, 2007 5:07 PM: