Historic Streetscape and Façade Improvement Grant (Lewis County, NY)

Historic Streetscape and Façade Improvement Grant (Lewis County, NY) is sponsored by Lewis County, NY (administered by NYS Office of Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation). Designed to support initiatives that enhance the visual appeal and architectural character of historic commercial districts, downtown areas, or other community hubs in Lewis County, New York.

Façade and Streetscape Improvement Program - Lewis County, NY Buildings and Grounds Maintenance Community Services and Mental Health Department of Motor Vehicles Department of Social Services Human Resources and Civil Service Planning and Community Development Recreation, Forestry and Parks Planning & Community Development Community Development Initiatives & Public Notices Hydrostor Compressed Air Energy Storage (A-CAES) Facility Project Façade and Streetscape Improvement Program Investing in Our Communities Lewis County’s downtown districts and public spaces hold central importance for community gatherings, special events, and the success of small businesses.

The Façade & Streetscape Improvement Program aims to revitalize the historic character and attractiveness of villages and hamlets in Lewis County through public and private investment. To encourage and advance revitalization efforts, this program will provide 75/25 matching funds for eligible improvements to mixed-use and commercial buildings and streetscape enhancements in Lewis County’s villages and hamlets.

Together, these improvements will help business growth and retention, enhance tourism, increase spending in the local economy, and reduce the number of blighted and vacant properties. The program will provide up to 75% in funding for eligible projects with a 25% match requirement.

Property owners, non-profits, and businesses with mixed-use and commercial buildings (to include multi-unit dwellings) located in a downtown area of a hamlet or village Aligns with local zoning regulations and/or design standards (if applicable) Some eligible project types include the following: Interior display & exterior lighting Repair or replacement of façade windows, doors, and paint Window boxes and permanent planters Signage: wall, perpendicular, free-standing signs Awning lettering and /or window lettering Engineering and/or design costs associated with the project.

Tax, and building permit fees.

Open to municipal governments Improves walkability and/or community aesthetics in a village or hamlet Some eligible project types include the following Permanent public art (murals, sculptures, etc.) Gateway & wayfinding signage Public fixtures (kiosks, plaques, etc.) Street trees and permanent landscaping Bike racks and similar active transportation infrastructure Engineering and/or design costs associated with project.

Tax, and building permit fees. Project Selection & Oversight This is a competitive funding application. A review committee with representation from the Department of Planning and Community Development, Naturally Lewis, County Manager, Lewis County Historical Society, and the Board of Legislators will lead project selection.

Municipal Zoning Enforcement Officers will participate in the project review process to ensure compliance with local zoning regulations. Projects that are not selected for any given funding round will receive feedback on how to improve their proposal for a future application.

The Department of Planning and Community Development will lead day-to-day oversight of project implementation and will provide the County Manager with monthly summaries to present to the Finance and Rules Committee. If project funding is awarded, the final scope of work must be approved by the committee. Expenses incurred prior to the final scope approval will not be eligible for reimbursement.

Depending on the project, a building and/or land use permit may be required. If the project includes signage, the awardee will need to apply for a permit, if applicable. Permits are not required to submit the application; however, they must be in place before any work can begin.

The Façade and Streetscape Improvement Program will be conducted annually barring legislative approval. The intent is to help capture new businesses in a timely fashion and provide more opportunities for participation. Recipients will have twelve months after award notice to complete a project barring exceptional circumstances.

Funds will be limited to one project per applicant for the entirety of this program and funding will be distributed as a reimbursement once a project is complete.

Lewis County Façade & Streetscape Improvement Program -Round 5: Applications Due December 31, 2025 2) The first five (5) eligible Pre-Applications focused on façade improvements, staff will collaborate with InSite Architecture to provide free project renderings and refine the scope of work in accordance with the Lewis County Downtown Design Guidelines.

This service is offered at no cost to applicants; however, applicants will be required to timely cooperate, collaborate, and communicate with InSite Architecture, and the developed rendering and scope of work provided will be utilized for the final Application submission, in which an award may be granted. Below is a list of fillable forms for this program that can be emailed, mailed, or returned in person to the Planning Department.

2025 FSIP Pre-Application Form (DEADLINE: October 24, 2025 2025 FSIP Application Form (DEADLINE: December 31, 2025) 2025 FSIP Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) Online Pre-Application Form DEADLINE: October 24, 2025 DEADLINE: December 31, 2025 DEADLINE: December 31, 2025 After receiving requests totaling approximately $933,648. 00, four (4) projects were ultimately awarded funding for various downtown facade improvements.

Tim Hunt, Lewis County Manager, expressed, “These revitalization projects will breathe new life into our communities, preserving their historic charm. I am confident that these investments, coupled with our commitment to placemaking, will have a profound positive impact on our County, building upon the successes of previous projects.

” This year, we pioneered a new approach by implementing a pre-application process in collaboration with In-Site Architecture. This initiative involved creating visual renderings and detailed project scopes for all eligible proposals, ensuring they adhered to the guidelines outlined in the recently released Lewis County Downtown Design Guide.

This proactive strategy yielded positive results, with 100% of funded projects participating in the pre-application phase. A dedicated review committee, comprising the County Manager, Board of Legislators, Naturally Lewis, the Lewis County Historical Society, and Lewis County Planning and Community Development, meticulously evaluated each application.

Awards were made to businesses from the Hamlet of Harrisville to the Village of Port Leyden. The following projects, upon completion, will receive Round 4 Lewis County Façade and Streetscape Improvement Funds: 1) $1,272. 00-The Mystic River Café- will erect a new 4’x8’ standing sign and a 3’x5’ façade sign.

2)$95,000. 00- Jason Hartley -This Port Leyden historic brick block building will undergo entryway improvements, including an ADA-compliant ramp with railings, awning restoration and repair, and other enhancements as outlined in the In-Site Architecture scope of work. 3) $40,000.

00-Jon’s Auto & Repair LLC -will restore the building’s exterior, including scraping, repairing, pointing, and repainting. Holes and gaps will be patched using matching timber profiles. Storefront windows and doors will be replaced to maintain the original building’s character.

A large, illuminated signboard will be added to the main street façade. 4) $37,878. 00-Beaver Inn Brick Oven Inn -will restore the existing exterior cladding, fascia, soffits, railings, columns, and decking by scraping, repairing, and repainting in the original color scheme.

A new gutter and downspout will be installed on the front porch. Façade windows and doors will be repaired or replaced as needed, and new signage will be added. The downtown districts and public spaces in Lewis County play a central role in fostering community gatherings, hosting special events, and contributing to the success of small businesses.

The Façade and Streetscape Improvement Program is designed to breathe new life into the historical character and appeal of villages and hamlets within Lewis County, leveraging both public and private investments.

To stimulate and advance the revitalization initiatives, this program offers up to a 75/25 matching funds arrangement for eligible enhancements to mixed-use and commercial buildings, as well as streetscape improvements in the villages and hamlets of Lewis County.

Together, these enhancements hope to increase tourism, support business expansion and retention, increase local spending, and a sense of pride, and reduce the number of abandoned and dilapidated buildings.

1 – Mystic River Cafe Rendering 1 Mystic River Cafe Before 2-Hartley’s Meat Market Rendering 4 Brick Oven Inn Rendering 1 – Mystic River Cafe Rendering 1 Mystic River Cafe Before 2-Hartley’s Meat Market Rendering 4 Brick Oven Inn Rendering