Archive: Business & Technology

(Ithaca, NY) The Downtown Ithaca Alliance has been awarded a $200,000 façade and building improvement grant from the New York State Division of Housing and Community Renewal, through the DHCR’s Main Street Program.

The announcement was made yesterday by Governor David Paterson. The monies will be used for building improvements and façade renovations within portions of the 22-block area comprising the downtown Business Improvement District.

Downtown Ithaca Alliance Executive Director Gary Ferguson says, “This grant award helps us take downtown in the direction we want to go in. It will help us highlight more of the historic assets in downtown, improve downtown’s overall appearance and create a more aesthetically pleasing environment for us all to enjoy. We’re grateful to New York State for looking favorably on our application and to the City of Ithaca for supporting it.”

This is the second time the DIA has applied for and received grant funding from the NYS Main Street Program. The first time was in 2006, when it was also awarded $200,000. The Main Street Grant Program regulations require applicants to be either a chartered not-for-profit organization or Business Improvement District. The Downtown Ithaca Alliance is a New York State Chartered not-for-profit organization.

Eight downtown Ithaca buildings and the Finger Lakes Wine Center benefitted from the Main Street Grant the DIA received in 2006, after a competitive application process. Ferguson says the DIA will request applications for funding from the 2008 grant, beginning in the fall. Specific details will be developed in conjunction with the State of New York and announced in the next few months. 

The buildings benefitting from the 2006 Main Street grant include 120 The Commons, which houses Benjamin Peters; 126-128 The Commons, which houses Brotchen; 130-132 The Commons, which houses People’s Dollar Store; 142-144 The Commons, which houses the House of Shalimar; 222 The Commons, which houses Titus Art Gallery, 123 S. Cayuga Street, which houses Morgan’s; 330 E. State Street, which houses The Community School of Music and Arts, and the State Theater at 107 W. State Street.
 
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