Led by a considerable overhaul of the Frontenac Museum, Cayuga Street in Union Springs is taking on a different look this year.

The museum joined four businesses in taking advantage of a state grant targeting building front improvements. About $175,000 in reimbursed cost was made available through the Main Street grant program back in 2005.

With work set to finish up before the end of the year, grant coordinator John Greer of the Homsite Development Corp. said the improvements have been worth the wait. Perhaps mores so in the aftermath of a February fire that destroyed the Nice N Easy Grocery Shoppe.

“It's definitely a positive,” Greer said. “For the people that chose to participate, I'm sure they think it's well worthwhile.”

The building front and interior work in the business district provides a good complement to residential work done through a Community Development Block Grant a few years ago, he said. The historic Frontenac Museum served as a centerpiece for the revival.

Several contractors helped repair the bell tower, improve drainage, paint the exterior and revamp the electric system. The work created considerable buzz, one contractor said.

“It was kind of a run-down building and now it just looks unbelievable,” said Jackie Reilly of T.J. Reilly Construction.

She and her crews got plenty of compliments from passersby. It was the first major restoration project the Auburn construction company has taken on.

“We've done some historic homes and things, but nothing like this,” Reilly said. “It's quite a place.”

The nearby Warren Lodge got a new roof and a couple furnaces. Three other Cayuga Street businesses also took part.

“We're a mom and pop operation and without the grant we couldn't afford to have a renovation,” Village Liquor Shop co-owner Mary Driscoll-Heath said. “It's a beautiful building and we want to keep that way.”

The shop's brickwork will get a facelift and the floor plan will be improved to expose a semi-hidden wine collection. The Village Liquor Shop will be the last to receive improvements.

Work is expected to start soon. Driscoll-Heath said the rest of the business district has definitely received a jolt, particularly the Frontenac.

“It's been substantial because some of these buildings are very old and very costly to repair,” she said. “Without these little boosts for economic development, what else would we do?”

The former site of the Astoria Hotel will also be transformed into a family park with a companion $25,000 streetscape grant.

Staff writer Shane Liebler can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 248 or shane.liebler@lee.net